We have added a Client Portal to Tabs3 Billing Version 2023 that allows you to invite clients and contacts you select to access an online client portal! This allows those customers to view their current balance and billing history. When combined with Tabs3Pay, clients can submit electronic payments that automatically apply towards their current balance due.
Setting up a client portal for the firm is performed in the Tabs3 Connect Administration window of System Configuration. Once a manager enables the portal and configures the web address, invitations can be sent to the firm’s clients. (Note: Tabs3 Connect must show “Connected” to enable the client portal; see KB Article R11480, “All About Tabs3 Connect,” for more information on configuring and using Tabs3 Connect.)
Configuring access to the client portal is done in the Client Portal Settings window, which can be accessed from the Tabs3 Billing Matter Manager, Client Information window, Contacts list, or Contact Information window. When starting from a client, you can select contacts to access that specific matter; when starting from a contact, you can select which matters the contact has access to.
A new access right for Client Portal Settings has been added. For additional information, see KB Article R11818, “Access Rights.”
For more information about the Client Portal, see KB Articles R11919, “Configuring the Tabs3 Client Portal,” and R11920, “Using the Tabs3 Client Portal.”
Our office will be closed on Monday, September 4, in recognition of Labor Day.
Here are some helpful Support resources that are available 24/7:
Do you want to take your statements to the next level? Statements are at the heart of Tabs3 Billing, so you want to get the most out of this feature. We make it easy by providing a one-stop article with everything you need.
Knowledge Base Article R11582, “Statements Information Resources,” provides a list of Knowledge Base Articles, Guides, and Videos to help you become the office expert on statements. This article includes resources for printing, emailing, and customizing statements, along with general information. You can find information on frequently asked questions, statement numbering, finance charge, troubleshooting, and more.
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.”
Did you know that you can quickly and easily change certain fields for a range of transactions that have not been billed yet? Change WIP Transactions (In the Quick Launch, search for and select “Change WIP Transactions”) provides the ability to make changes to many transactions at once instead of spending hours making changes transaction by transaction.
Change WIP Transactions can be run for all of the same ranges you can run reports and statements; the Client and Transactions tabs are the same. This helps narrow down the range of transactions you want to change. The following options can be changed using this process:
- Set Status (Print or Hold)
- Date
- Convert Tcode to Task Code
- Phase/Task, Activity/Expense
- Sales Tax
- Bill Code
- Fee Category
- Rate
Some of the most common reasons for using Change WIP Transactions include when a timekeeper has changed their rates and transactions were entered with the old rate, changing transactions from a print to hold status (or vice versa), and converting tcodes to task codes when an existing client becomes a task based billing client.
The next time you find yourself needing to change a large number of transactions, stay on schedule by using Change WIP Transactions.
Tip: Due to the number of records that could be changed using this process, we highly recommend backing up your data before running Change WIP Transactions.
Did you know that you can use a timer in Tabs3 Connect? Timers are shared between Tabs3 Connect and PracticeMaster, letting you seamlessly add and edit timers whether you’re in the office or on the go. The timer will continue to track your time even if the browser window closes.
- Tap
to start a new timer. - Tap
to resume a paused timer. - Tap
to pause a timer. - Tap
to see a list of current timers, and optionally convert timers to fees.
For more information on Tabs3 Connect, contact your Tabs3 Software consultant, call Support at (402) 419-2210, or visit Knowledge Base Article R11480, “All About Tabs3 Connect.”
If your firm needs to more efficiently and effectively track leads, grow prospects, and gain clients, a Client Relationship Management tool like Tabs3 CRM is the solution!
In the 5 Reasons Why Law Firms Need CRM video, you’ll see the many ways that Tabs3 CRM can help automate communications and improve the intake process for prospective clients. From marketing email and text campaigns to customizable intake forms for each area of practice, Tabs3 CRM is sure to help streamline your practice so that you can grow your firm faster.
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.”
Sometimes you want to see more information about a PracticeMaster file, such as whether a field is set to be included on a Conflict of Interest report, or if History Tracking is turned on. Although File Maintenance provides this information, opening it requires users to be out of the software. Instead, run a File Definition Report to get the information you need!
The File Definition Report (In the PracticeMaster Quick Launch, search for and select “File Definition Report”) provides a list of every field in a file, and includes whether the field is protected or required, if history tracking is turned on, if the field is included on a Conflict Report, if the field is restricted, and more. Additionally, the File Definition Report provides a list of indexes set up for the file.
I created a new client a few weeks ago and have since added fees and costs. However, I was recently informed that this client should have been made as a matter to an existing client instead. I would prefer to not have to delete and recreate this activity. Is there a way to change the Client ID so that it becomes a matter for the other existing client?
You can change any existing Client ID to another by using the Renumber Client utility. When renumbering a client, any records associated to the original client will be renumbered to the new Client ID as well.
To renumber a client
- In the Quick Launch, search for and select “Renumber Client.” We recommend making the backup when prompted.
- In the Old Client ID field, select the Client ID that needs to be renumbered.
- In the New Client ID field, enter an unused Client ID that you want the matter to use.
- Click OK.
Some people in our office tend to forget to assign alarms when creating calendar records in PracticeMaster. Is there a way to set a default alarm to certain types of calendar records?
Calendar codes let you specify multiple default values for calendar records, including a default alarm time. For example, you could have a calendar code for meetings with prospective clients that will display an alarm 30 minutes before the meeting. If you already use calendar codes, you can add an alarm time to any existing calendar codes that require alarms. You can also create new calendar codes for these calendar records.
To assign an alarm time to an existing calendar code
- In the Quick Launch, search for and select “Calendar Code File.”
- From the list of calendar codes, double-click the code you want to edit.
- In the Alarm Time field, specify the default alarm time.
- Press Ctrl+S to save the calendar code.
- Click the List tab and repeat steps 2-4 for each calendar code you want to edit.
To create a new calendar code
- In the Quick Launch, search for and select “Calendar Code File.”
- Press Ctrl+N to start a new record, specify the new calendar code in the New Key field, and click OK.
- Fill in the fields as needed. (Tip: Press F1 to view the help topic for the Calendar Code window.)
- Press Ctrl+S to save the calendar code.
- Click the List tab and repeat steps 2-4 for each calendar code you want to add.