Timeslips, Uncategorized

Timeslips Announces the end of Perpetual Licenses

Timeslips recently announced policy changes relating to the Perpetual version. In case you are confused by their email, I’ve attempted to explain the important points below.

Effective August 1, 2019 Timeslips direct sales will only sell the annual subscription (Premium) product.  You may purchase through a Timeslips Solution Provider/Consultant through September 2020, but I encourage you to order through Borek Consulting Group before September 30, 2019 to receive my best pricing. Upgrading now will serve you well for the next few years by delaying the annual subscription price, which will be roughly equal to whatever you pay now for perpetual licenses.

If you are currently using a version of Timeslips 2018 or earlier, please consider reviewing your options and budget for future upgrades within the next month or two. 

Your next step:

Current Timeslips 2018 and earlier users: These products are already discontinued by the manufacturer. Windows technology changes monthly and Windows 7 will be obsolete at the end of this year. It is risky to continue using older software with newer operating systems. A technology upgrade will be required in your future. Be proactive now: take advantage of the last opportunity to own the software and, in the process, delay moving to annual subscription pricing.

Current Timeslips 2019 users: You could go either way. There isn’t a lot of difference between versions 2019 and 2020 but having the most up-to-date version now will delay moving to annual subscription pricing by least one more year.  Consider upgrading to the 2020 version and purchasing additional licenses prior to the end of March 31, 2020.

Current Timeslips 2020 users: The final service patch to Timeslips 2020 will be released in October 2019, and there will be no new features, enhancements or upgrades delivered for Timeslips 2020 afterwards. Install the October service release and you are done. You are already on the final Perpetual (non-subscription) product. Your next upgrade will be to the Premium (annual subscription) version in a few years. Purchase additional licenses prior to August 31, 2020.

To request a Timeslips upgrade quote for your firm, please call Borek Consulting at 954-963-7621. Let us know your current Timeslips version (year) and the number of computers currently using Timeslips. You can easily find this information by selecting Help/About Sage Timeslips from your Timeslips menu.

Leave your commentPosted by on July 3, 2019No Comments
Clio

CLIO: Your Complete Guide to Effective Small Law Firm Management

If you’re wondering how to manage a small law firm effectively, you’re not alone. Managing a small firm poses unique challenges to legal professionals compared to Big Law, where admin staff performs many of the day-to-day tasks. In most smaller firms, those admin tasks fall on the shoulders of the attorneys and paralegals. This takes time away from billable and direct client work to be the “chief, cook, and bottle washer.”

Managing a law firm also looks drastically different at the end of 2020 as opposed to earlier this year. There are unique challenges to managing virtually every aspect of the firm, from staff delegation and oversight to changing your law office’s processes and client relationships.

Regardless of where you’re located, no one can deny the impact of the events of 2020 on the flow of their business. Your firm must be extremely nimble and adaptable to change and keep up with the latest industry trends and developments—to make sure your legal practice does not fall behind.

In this blog post, we’ll cover how to effectively manage a small law firm, by focusing on key aspects of your firm: staff, client experience, financials, technology, and brand. We’ll also include tips on how to manage your team to set you and your team up for success in the new year.

Click here to read the entire article at clio.com

Leave your commentPosted by on February 10, 2021No Comments
Uncategorized

Last Call for Timeslips 2020

In case you have missed the calls, notices and emails, last year Sage Timeslips announced their transition to a Premium subscription only version. This seemed like a different lifetime ago (as all pre-Covid things do), however the reality is that we are now at “Last Call” for non-subscription versions of Timeslips.

Timeslips 2020 is still available from authorized third party resellers such as Borek Consulting – but only until September 30th.  As of October 1st, you will no longer be able to purchase Timeslips 2020, including additional licenses or add-ons such as electronic billing.

Beginning October 1st, only Timeslips Premium will be offered as an option.   With the annual subscription, Timeslips periodically issues updates which include new features as well as maintenance fixes. One of the more popular Premium new features includes the ability to undo more than one invoice per client, a long requested function.

If you would like to discuss your firm’s specific needs, please reach out!

Leave your commentPosted by on September 23, 2020No Comments
Timeslips, Uncategorized

Making Timeslips Tasks or Timekeepers inactive – AKA “They should Have a Warning Label for this!”

I recently assisted a client who had made some Timeslips activities inactive.

There were several “a-ha” moments during our conversation:

1) When you make tasks or timekeepers inactive in Timeslips, not only do the tasks/timekeepers get removed from the list, ALL slips associated with those items also get made inactive. This means that the inactive slips are not available for billing, history bills and will not appear in slip lists. They may also not be available for reports depending on your criteria. This can have a big impact, especially if you have unbilled time or costs.

2) However, unlike with purging data or other critical functions, there is no Timeslips warning when making tasks or timekeepers inactive. So firms often try this to trim their list of activities or remove former staff and do not realize the repercussions.

3) Instead of making the items inactive, try the low-tech option of adding a “z” in front of the task/timekeeper name. Since Timeslips shows these lists in alphabetical order, this will force the items to the bottom of the list, where they are less likely to be noticed or chosen.

This client was very fortunate for two reasons – because the process had gotten stuck, they reached out to me and I was able to educate him on the consequences. Secondly, because he had made a backup prior to starting the procedure and the process freezing, it was very easy to restore the backup and resolve the issue. Always make a backup before making a big change to the database!

Leave your commentPosted by on July 3, 2020No Comments
Timeslips, Uncategorized

Last Call for Timeslips 2019 Additional Licenses

Timeslips 2019 support will end as of April 30, 2019.  While this does not mean that Timeslips 2019 will stop working, for those firms who own this Perpetual (non-subscription) version of Timeslips, this means:

  • No further maintenance support releases will be issued
  • Add-ons such as additional licenses, E-Center, or LEDES electronic billing cannot be purchased**
  • Sage technical support will not be available.

**Important Action**

If you believe that your firm may need additional licenses within the next 6-12 months and you would like to continue with Timeslips 2019, I would highly recommend doing an anticipated “head count” and purchasing the additional licenses before April 30th. Please contact our office to do so, as only certified resellers such as Borek Consulting are authorized to sell Timeslips 2019 additional licenses.

As always, you have options available:

  • Upgrade to Timeslips 2020. This is the last version of Timeslips that is perpetual (owned). However, it’s important to note that Timeslips 2020 support will also end within the next 6 months (September 2020). At best, this is a short-term solution.
  • Upgrade to Timeslips Premium, the subscription version of Timeslips. New features will continue to be released periodically (in fact, the most recent update is March 2020). This requires annual renewal.
  • Continue with Timeslips 2019. Work with Timeslips certified consultants such as Borek Consulting when needed.
  • Transition to a different product.

We are happy to discuss any of the above options with you.

 

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Leave your commentPosted by on March 22, 2020No Comments

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Timeslips, Uncategorized

Best “New” Feature in Timeslips

Recently, I’ve been upgrading a lot of firms to the latest version of Timeslips (see my blog post: https://borekconsulting.com/2019/07/the-end-of-timeslips-perpetual-licenses-is-near/). As with all my upgrades, following the conversion, we have a training session which includes both new features, and features I typically call “New For You”. These are functions that may not currently be in use at the firm, but have existed in their older version of Timeslips.  Examples might include streamlining processes, customization, reports, shortcuts, etc.

Last week, a firm I was working with was absolutely delighted with the Timeslips feature of Abbreviations, which allows staff to use shortcuts to expand words, phrases, and sometimes even full paragraphs. This is a big time saver, especially when using the same terminology over and over again.  They had not used this previously, and considered this one of the best new features.  While the reality is that Timeslips has had this feature for over 25 years, it was new to them!

Carving some time to review features and tweak your use of Timeslips can make you and your staff more productive (even without an upgrade). We’re happy to help if you want to schedule an appointment.

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Leave your commentPosted by on November 7, 2019No Comments

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Timeslips, Uncategorized

What to do if you have an older version of Timeslips

I’ve had many conversations since Timeslips recently announced policy changes. After 30 years of being a “Perpetual” product that is owned by the users, Timeslips has announced that moving forward Timeslips Premium (subscription based) will be the only product sold through its direct sales channel. This has caused some confusion for folks. What are the options?

Here’s a quick summary:

Stay with your current version of Timeslips. Currently, Timeslips only supports Timeslips 2019, Timeslips 2020, and Timeslips Premium. Your older version will still work, however you cannot get additional licenses, purchase add-ons, or get official technical support. Timeslips Solution Providers such as Borek Consulting Group can still provide support for your older version. We can generally handle your issues (though there are exceptions, especially with newer Windows or servers.). And if the software breaks due to a Windows Update there may not be many options available.

Upgrade to Timeslips 2020. For a limited time, we can upgrade your existing Timeslips to Timeslips 2020 – the latest (and last) version that is Perpetual (owned) and not subscription. Only Solution Providers can offer this option (not Sage direct). Contact us with the number of licenses you currently have, and we can assist with a quote.

Upgrade to Timeslips Premium. This requires an annual subscription, it includes new features being added to Timeslips Premium several times a year (vs. the once a year upgrade). This is a good option for those who want to be able have a consistent budget each year for software, and/or those who like having the newest features available.

Consider Alternatives to Timeslips. If you are considering cloud based software, or would like to have an all in one solution that has both practice management, and time & billing or accounting, this is a great time for a software evaluation and selection. Borek Consulting provides software selection as a service and we’d be happy to review available options. The initial call is complimentary.

As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

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Leave your commentPosted by on September 18, 2019No Comments

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Timeslips, Uncategorized

Timeslips Upgrade Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Will my current database and reports convert?  Yes, the entire current database will be converted and new features and functionality will be added during the upgrade and conversion process. Nothing will be lost.

 2.  Do I have to purchase the Premium Annual Subscription?  Not yet. Sage decided to extend the ability to purchase licenses another year if purchased through a Sage Solution Provider/Consultant like Borek Consulting Group.

 3. Will my current 2018 or earlier software install on my new Windows 10 computer or new server?  Probably, but there is no guarantee on an unsupported version. In fact, there are known issues with Windows 10 and versions prior to Timeslips 2014. Attempting to install a version that old frequently results in errors, data corruption or it may not install at all. Support will not be provided by Timeslips.

4. Which Timeslips version works with E-Center? Only the current and immediate prior year’s versions of Timeslips will support E-Center. Currently, E-Center will only work with Timeslips v2019 or v2020.

5.  Can I still buy additional licenses for my current version of Timeslips?  Additional licenses can only be purchased for supported products. Currently, additional licenses can only be purchased for Timeslips v2019 or v2020.

6.  What is the Premium Edition? The Timeslips Premium Edition is largely the same product as the “perpetual license” version with additional features such as Day View, Bill Reminders and company logo watermarks on reports. The primary difference is that it requires an annual subscription which includes the latest updates, upgrades and features at no additional cost. Moving forward, new features will only be added to Timeslips Premium.

7.  What happens if I stop paying the annual Premium Subscription?  Timeslips will give you several warnings that the database will be put in read only mode and you will no longer be able to add or change information until the subscription is renewed. 

8. Is the Premium Edition a Cloud product?  No, the Timeslips Premium Edition is still a desktop product. A hosted server is required if you want access while remote or a remote desktop type access.

9. What if the firm has a current Business Care Plan with Sage? Existing Support plans will be honored. At renewal, customers will have the option to select Timeslips Premium.

10. Will Borek Consulting still support my older version if we decide not to upgrade? Yes, we will continue to support your older version. However, there are limitations with what we can accomplish, especially if there is a bug fix needed or environmental issue beyond our control. Our resources are limited on expired products since Timeslips support will not be able to provide assistance.  If at a future point you wish (or need) to upgrade, you will have no other option other than Premium. Your firm must decide the level of risk they are willing to take.  

To request pricing information for your firm, please email with your current Timeslips version (year) and the number of computers currently using Timeslips. You can easily find this information by selecting Help/About Sage Timeslips from your Timeslips menu.

Leave your commentPosted by on July 3, 2019No Comments
General IT Advice, Timeslips, Uncategorized

The True cost of “If it Ain’t Broke, don’t Fix it”

Recently I got a call from a colleague. He was running into an issue with a Timeslips conversion from version 10.1 to Timeslips 2019.  To give you an idea of the difference in versions, Timeslips 2019 is technically version 27, so this was a pretty big leap in time and data.

Unfortunately, there were data issues with the conversion which led to very ambiguous error messages.  Our first challenge was to scramble to find a copy of a 17 year old Timeslips version so a better diagnoses and repair could be made. To give a car analogy – finding an intact Timeslips 10.5 is like finding an intact model T-Ford. Parts are hard to come by, and repairs will be more expensive.

Did anyone have a copy, what about install codes? Do we actually remember HOW to fix this type of error, and were the specific corrupt records critical? Documentation for data repair on older databases is not always easy to find.

Ultimately there was a happy ending to this story – the database was repaired, though the repair/conversion process took over 12 hours to complete.

The reality, however, was that it could easily have gone a different way. If we hadn’t had the resources (and a bit of luck), this would have resulted in an even more time consuming and costly project for the client. As it was, the cost included an extra 12 hours of consulting, plus extra down time for the firm without access to their billing.

Our policy is to support our clients, whether they are using “supported” versions of software or not, and we continue to do so. At the same time, it’s also important that firms understand the risk they are taking if they let years go by without periodically investing in keeping up with technology. Given that this is mission critical software, something to consider!

Leave your commentPosted by on November 19, 2018No Comments
General IT Advice, Timeslips, Uncategorized

Is My Timeslips Outdated?

Is it time to Upgrade (or change) our Software… ?

We’ve had several clients recently contact us after receiving a call from Sage Timeslips salespeople telling them about upgrade promotions or that they now have an increased risk of corruption or data failure.  While having unsupported software does have risks (see below), it doesn’t mean that you suddenly have an increased risk.

What does it mean to be on an unsupported Version? 

Timeslips currently supports Timeslips 2018 and Timeslips 2019.  If you are currently using any other version, this is an unsupported version of Timeslips.  You cannot add additional licenses, use Timeslips E-Center, or purchase electronic billing module (i.e. LEDES). It also means that there is no official technical support available to you. If something changes in your environment (like upgrading to Windows 10, or some other program that links with Timeslips) there could be compatibility issues. Remember it’s always critical to make sure you have a good backup!  Borek Consulting is always happy to assist you with technical support, even with unsupported versions.

What are the new features?

Each version brings new features and fixes along with it. Some recent features include a faster database, enhanced security, Lawpay integration, and A/R improvements. We can send you a list of new features introduced since your version, and discuss which ones would be applicable to your firm.

What is the cost?

The software cost depends on the number of licenses you need. Find out your current number of licenses by going to Help, then “About Timeslips” from the menu bar. Let us know the number of licenses you have, and the number you need (it can be more or less). We’ll be happy to send you a quote with the software cost along with a budget for installation, conversion and training so you can take advantage of the new features.

What about the promotions? Is this a good time?

Sage periodically offers promotional discounts. Borek Consulting can always honor these discounts. Since we are approaching the end of the year, this is a good time to consider. However, it is also important to make sure that your hardware meets the minimum system requirements, and that you are ready for an upgrade. Give us a call to discuss. 

Leave your commentPosted by on November 4, 2018No Comments