We’ve added Tabs3 CRM! Tabs3 CRM (client relationship management) is a new add-on service that will help law firms build their business by tracking and managing potential client leads, and bringing them into PracticeMaster once they are a client. It is used to gather and manage prospective clients from multiple marketing sources. Tabs3 CRM simplifies the process of qualifying leads through customized intake forms and automated communication (via phone, email, and text messages). Once a firm is ready to take on the client, they can easily create a client in PracticeMaster using an import process. Additionally, when integrated with Tabs3 CRM, PracticeMaster Conflict of Interest can optionally check leads in Tabs3 CRM for conflicts.
You can sign up for Tabs3 CRM directly in PracticeMaster. Visit Tabs3.com/Tabs3CRM to learn more and to schedule a demo with a product expert to see how Tabs3 CRM works and help get you started. Additional information about Tabs3 CRM can be found in the following KB Articles:
There are several methods for crediting a client’s account: write offs, write-downs, courtesy discounts, payment adjustments, credit transactions, or editing or deleting the original transaction. Knowledge Base Article R11760, “Best Practices When Applying Credits,” provides information on how each method affects reports, statements, GL integration, and more to help you decide how best to credit your client.
Our Knowledge Base can be accessed at support.Tabs3.com. You can also access our Knowledge Base in the Quick Launch by searching for and selecting “Knowledge Base.”
What are indexes, and how can they help your firm? The indexes in PracticeMaster control the order in which records are displayed on the List tab of each file. There are two types of indexes: temporary and permanent.
- Permanent indexes are set up in File Maintenance, are available to everyone, are not removed when
closing files, and can be used for more than just column sorting, such as helping make filters faster. Additionally, you can select up to four sorts for each permanent index. For example, in the Client file you could create an index that will first sort by State, then City, then Area of Practice, and then Client ID. - Temporary indexes are created “on the fly” whenever you click on a column heading on the List tab, if that field does not already have a permanent index. Temporary indexes are available only to the user who created them and are removed as soon as the file is closed.
Although both indexes are shown in the Sort By group of the Quick Clicks pane, temporary indexes are indicated by an asterisk (*).
Why use permanent indexes?
- When creating a temporary index, PracticeMaster must look at all of the records and then sort them accordingly. Permanent indexes are already created, and thus are pre-sorted. Clicking on columns that have permanent indexes takes significantly less time for the records to refresh than when sorting using a temporary index.
- Once a permanent index is created, everyone can use it to quickly sort their records.
- Permanent indexes can be used in QuickViews. When creating a QuickView, both the Default Sort (which field/column to sort on) and Show Smart tabs by settings use permanent indexes in order to sort your records.
- Using a filter to target which records are displayed can be faster if the field you are filtering on is indexed.
- Report Writer reports can be faster when using a Primary Index.
Adding a permanent index
- In the Quick Launch, search for and select “File Maintenance.”
- Select the file for which you want to add a permanent index.
- From the Index tab, click the (New) button.
- Enter an Index ID for the new index.
- Enter a Description.
- Select the desired Sort Order(s).
- Click Done.
- Close the File Maintenance window.
If users are frequently using temporary indexes, create permanent indexes to help save time when sorting columns. For more in-depth information on indexes, visit Knowledge Base Article R11487, “Working with Indexes, Filters, and QuickViews.”
You can take your firm to the next level with the top-of-the-line Platinum edition of Tabs3 Software! With mobile access, extensive security features, faster reports, accelerated filtering, and automated backups, Platinum will help save you time while ensuring reliability.
Tabs3 Connect is one of Platinum’s most powerful tools. Using Tabs3 Connect gives you the freedom to enter and track data from anywhere you can access the internet. Simply open a browser window from any device and log in.
Tabs3 Connect not only makes adding fees and costs easy, but also provides access to client information, a billing summary, and any related contacts, all from the Matter Manager. You can even open documents to be printed or emailed, depending on your device’s capabilities. Tabs3 Connect also provides access to calendar features for you and your firm, allowing you to add events and tasks and link them to a specific matter.
All of the data accessed by Tabs3 Connect is stored on your server, not your mobile device, so there is no risk of losing or compromising your data in any way. Since all information is connected to your server, changes or additions made in Tabs3 Connect are available for all users instantly.
Along with reliable mobility, Platinum also includes many features to help secure your firm’s information and prevent data corruption.
One of the most useful features is the ability to schedule a backup. A HotBackup can be created automatically throughout the day and you can choose to receive email confirmation when a backup has completed. Best of all, you no longer need to wait until everyone has logged out of the software to create a backup. A HotBackup can be created while users continue to work in the software, which makes securing your data hassle-free.
Platinum’s Auto Recovery feature helps prevent loss of data due to power outages or network loss. If you are interrupted for any reason, such as when running Update Statements, the software will roll back to a safe point, allowing you to pick up where you left off instead of having to restore from a backup. After the interruption, you can simply restart the process.
Platinum also includes report and filtering accelerators for Tabs3 Billing and PracticeMaster, which speed up report generation and list filtering by up to 30 times. This is the perfect solution for firms with a lot of data or for anyone looking to speed up their software experience.
Mobile access, data security, and accelerators only scratch the surface of Platinum’s capabilities. You can find more information about all of the features that the Platinum Software has to offer by checking out Knowledge Base Article R11379 “Platinum Overview.”
If you are more of a hands-on user, try a free 30 day trial of Platinum! KB Article R11261, “Platinum Net 30 Trial Plan,” provides information regarding how to get started. Contact your local consultant, or contact our Sales Department at (402) 419-2200 today! You are just one phone call away from experiencing the many benefits and features of Platinum!
Although reconciling your accounts each month might be necessary, it doesn’t have to be difficult.
In the Working with General Ledger Reconciliation video, you’ll see how easy it is to import transactions, compare records in General Ledger, and how to close out the month. Reconciliation reports are also available so that you can quickly look back at previous months without any hassle.
Watch this three-minute video here:
Training Videos can be accessed at Tabs3.com/videos. You can also access the videos in the Quick Launch by searching for and selecting “Training Videos.”
Did you know that if you are currently on Version 2020, 2021, or 2022, updating to Version 2023 is as easy as checking for updates?
Version 2023 only requires you to use the Check for Updates feature (In the Quick Launch, search for and select “Check for Updates”) if you are already on Version 2020 or later. No separate conversion to run, DFICs, or other steps. This makes it easier than ever to be on the latest version!
Is there a way to customize which reports are available from the Tabs3 Billing Matter Manager?
The Matter Manager allows you to customize which reports are shown in the Reports pane.
To customize the Reports pane
- In the Quick Launch, search for and select “Matter Manager.”
- In the pane on the right side of the Matter Manager, click the
(Reports) icon. - Click the three vertical dots to the right of the word “Reports” to open the Customize reports window.
- Double-click each report you want to include in the Reports pane, indicated by a check mark
- Click OK when you are finished customizing the reports shown.
- Close the Matter Manager.
I have assigned a client’s matter to an Area of Practice. How do I show the additional Area of Practice pages when looking at my clients?
Displaying the new files that this client can store data in is a setting that can be easily included via Configure Client Pages.
To include Area of Practice tabs in the Client file
- In the Quick Launch, search for and select “Client File.”
- While on the List tab, in the Customize Current View group of the Quick Clicks pane, click Configure Client Pages.
- Select the Area of Practice Pages check box.
- Click OK.
This will add the additional tabs to the Client file for the Area of Practice that is assigned to the client.
We just ordered new Trust checks. Before we start printing checks, is there a way to make sure that everything will line up properly?
In Trust Accounting, a check test pattern can be printed that is comprised of “X’s” where the information would be printed. Although the test pattern can be printed on an actual check form, we recommend using a blank sheet of paper and holding it up to the check form so as not to waste checks.
To print a check test pattern
- In the Quick Launch, search for and select “Print Check Test pattern.”
- In the Selected Printer section, select your check printer.
- In the Output To section, select Printer and click OK.
- Select the Bank and then click OK.
If the information does not line up, adjustments can be made to the margins and printer offset adjustment via Print Setup.
Can we print a copy of the check stubs for our records?
AP has an option to Print Duplicate Stubs when printing checks on laser check forms. When this option is enabled, AP will print a check stub, then the check, then the duplicate check stub.
To print duplicate stubs
- In the Quick Launch, search for and select “Print Setup.”
- Select the Printer you use to print Accounts Payable checks.
- Click the Check Setup button.
- Select the Print Duplicate Stub check box and click OK.
- Click OK again to close the Printer Setup window.
The next time you print checks with the selected printer, it will now print duplicate stubs.
Note: Do not select this option if you print checks on continuous check forms.
We have accounts we no longer use that still show on the Balance Sheet or Income Statement. Is there a way to prevent these accounts from being shown on these reports?
Accounts can be configured to not show on the Balance Sheet or Income Statement via the Chart of Accounts.
To specify an account not be shown on the Balance Sheet and/or Income Statement
- From the Quick Launch, search for and select “Chart of Accounts.”
- Double-click the account. (Note: If the account is not shown in the list, select the Show Inactive check box in the upper-right corner of the window.)
- Click the Report Options tab.
- Clear the Display on Balance Sheet or Display on Income Statement check box in the Detail Report section.
- Clear the Display on Balance Sheet or Display on Income Statement check box in the Summary Report section.
- Click the Save button.
- Repeat steps 2-6 for any other accounts you want to hide. When you are finished, close the Chart of Accounts window.