You access sensitive client information on a daily basis, and may even have access to information that others in the firm do not. You know that maintaining client confidentiality is crucial, but who might have access to all of that data? The following features are built into the software, helping maintain client security and confidentiality.
- Assign users to Access Profiles. Access Profiles (System Configuration | File | Open | Access Profile) are used to control which users have access to which features in the software. For example, you can set up an Access Profile to allow for browsing clients, but not changing or deleting clients. You can also specify that an Access Profile not allow access to reports, certain utilities, or an entire system, such as General Ledger Software (GLS). Once Access Profiles have been set up, they can be assigned to users via the Users file (System Configuration | File | Open | Users). Each user can be assigned up to five Access Profiles.
- Assign Timekeepers to User IDs. Users who only need to see information for specific timekeepers can be restricted to accessing only those timekeepers. The Assign Tabs3/PracticeMaster Timekeeper option in the Users file (System Configuration | File | Open | Users) provides the ability to specify which timekeepers’ information a user can access. Users can add, change, and delete fee and cost transactions that are work-in-process; access archived transactions; and access productivity figures only for the selected timekeeper(s).
- Use Secure Clients. Access to client information can be specified at the client level. By selecting the Secure Client check box (File | Open | Client | Address tab), you can then select which users in the software have access to the specified client’s information including transactions, reports, and statements. Additionally, when you select the Secure Client check box, you will be prompted to either keep or remove related contacts from the Contact file. This is because only clients can be marked as secure, not contacts.
- Delete the (BLANK) user or assign it a password. The (BLANK) user is meant for initial access to the software when it is first installed. After users are set up in the software, we recommend deleting or assigning a password to this user in order for access to the software to be password protected.
- Platinum SQL Data Encryption. The Platinum SQL Data Encryption utility is used to encrypt Tabs3 and PracticeMaster data files that may contain sensitive information. Once data files are encrypted, they can only be read by the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Platinum SQL software. Software can be encrypted via the Platinum | Data Encryption menu option in System Configuration.
- Platinum Data Security. Firms running a Platinum system can limit each user’s network access to the data files to the “read only” level, providing protection against the accidental moving or deleting of data files via Windows Explorer. In order to secure the Database folder, your system administrator will need to manually configure the Windows file sharing settings for that folder to ensure that only authorized users have Full Access rights.
For more information on these features, as well as more security features, see Knowledge Base Article R11717, “Security Resources.”
As of October 31, 2019, Software Technology, LLC will no longer provide support for Version 17 of Tabs3 Software.
If you are using an older version of the software, now is the perfect time to get up to date with the latest version of Tabs3. You will be surprised at the number of features you’ve been missing! Click here to see What’s New in each version.
As an added benefit, when you purchase an update, you will receive twelve months of maintenance. Being on an active maintenance plan entitles you to unlimited technical support, software updates, and new versions.
If you have any questions regarding the discontinuation of support for Version 17, please contact your local consultant, or a member of our Sales Department at sales@Tabs3.com or (402) 419-2200.
Previously published in September, August, and July.
Various log files are maintained by different Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software products. These log files can be used as tools for troubleshooting errors and problems using Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software.
Knowledge Base Article R10013, “Log Files in Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Software,” contains a comprehensive list of the various log files and a brief description of the information contained in each file. Log files track errors encountered when running Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software as well as the date and time when a particular function was performed. Most log files can be accessed using any text editor such as Microsoft Notepad or WordPad.
Our Knowledge Base can be accessed at support.Tabs3.com. You can also access our Knowledge Base while in the software by selecting Help | Internet Resources | Knowledge Base.
I represent an insurance company with over 80 active matters. This company is now requiring fee descriptions to not exceed 300 characters. Is there a way to put a character limit on fees for a single client?
When entering fees in PracticeMaster, an automatic WorkFlow can be configured with a filter to only trigger when fee descriptions exceed 300 characters for a specific range of matters or clients.
To create a WorkFlow that prompts the user when a fee description is too long
- From the Maintenance menu, select WorkFlows.
- Expand Common Client Related Files, select the Fee file, and then click the New button.
- Enter a Name for the WorkFlow (e.g., “Desc Character Limit Exceeded”).
- In the Source section, select Filtered Records, and then click Filter.
- Click the New Row button, select Client ID, and then click Select.
- In the Test Condition column, select greater than or equal to.
- In the Test Value column, enter the lowest Client ID that requires the character limit (e.g., “415.00”).
- Click the New Row button, select Client ID, and then click Select.
- In the Test Condition column, select less than or equal to.
- In the Test Value column, enter the highest Client ID that requires the character limit (e.g., “415.99”).
- Click the New Advanced Row button.
- In the Advanced Expression Editor window, select Function.
- Select LEN and click Insert.
- With the cursor between the parentheses, click Field.
- Select Description and click Select.
- With the cursor at the end of the expression, select Operator.
- Select Greater than and click Insert.
- Enter the character limit (e.g., “300”) and click OK.
- In the Advanced Expression Editor window, select Function.
- Click Save.
- Click the New Row button, select Client ID, and then click Select.
- In the Event section, select Record Added and Record Changed.
- In the Actions section, click New.
- Select Change Record, and then click Next.
- Select Source Record, and then click Define Template.
- Click the set button next to Description.
- In the Template Expression Editor window, click Field.
- Select a Field ID of Description and then click Insert.
- Click OK.
- Press Ctrl+S.
- Click Finish.
- Click New again.
- Select Display Message, and then click Next.
- Click the Title field.
- In the Template Expression Editor window, click Value.
- Enter the title for the message (e.g., “Description Character Limit Exceeded”) and then click OK.
- Click OK.
- Optionally select an Icon.
- Click the Body field.
- In the Template Expression Editor window, click Value.
- Enter the message to be displayed (e.g., “The description you have entered for the recently saved fee has exceeded the description limit defined by the client. Please edit the description to be less than 300 characters”) and then click OK.
- Click OK.
- Click Finish.
- Click Save.
You now have a WorkFlow that is automatically triggered when the length of a fee description exceeds a set number of characters for a particular Client ID range. A prompt is displayed letting the user know that the description is too long for that client and reopens the record for editing.
Note: WorkFlows are a PracticeMaster-only feature. Fees entered or edited in Tabs3 will not trigger the WorkFlow.
For more information on WorkFlows, refer to our PracticeMaster WorkFlows Guide at Tabs3.com/support/docs.html or Knowledge Base Article R11307, “All About WorkFlows.”
Do you have Access Profiles set up? Access Profiles help with security by controlling what functions each user can access in the software. The Access Profiles training video walks you through creating a new access profile that limits a user to certain Tabs3 Billing functions. Once you know the basics of setting up one Access Profile, you can set up the profiles you need for your firm.
Watch this three-and-a-half-minute video here:
Training Videos can be accessed at Tabs3.com/videos. You can also access the videos while in the software by selecting Help | Training Videos.
Although we strive to provide superior documentation in our Help files, Knowledge Base, and Guides, we know that sometimes you want direct guidance with a human touch. Technical Support can be reached by phone or email! We are here to help, so reach out to us. Here are some examples of items we regularly assist our clients with:
- Are you new to the software and need guidance? We can help!
- Want to update to the most recent version of the software? We can help!
- Not sure how to do a procedure? We can help!
- Receiving a message you’re not sure of? We can help!
- Want to start using a new feature in the software, such as keeping track of client communications within PracticeMaster? We can help!
Phone and email support are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Central Time). We can be reached by phone at (402) 419-2210 or by email via Tabs3.com/support. And don’t forget! Technical Support is included with your maintenance or subscription plan at no additional cost – so give us a call!
