Many law firms are working to reduce or completely eliminate paperwork in the office. One of the first and most important steps is to do away with paper filing systems. The provider digital|bar offers an intuitive way to quickly Digitalisation of paper documents. And the collect|bar product includes a comprehensive document management system with automation features. This also includes an integration with kanzlei.land. digital|bar is now involved in the Tax Tech Alliance, together with kanzlei.land and hsp. The managing director explains what added value law firms can expect and what the digital|bar team hopes to achieve: Christian Poppek as told on „hsp live at 11“.
digital|bar handles all incoming files and documents from law firms. In doing so, the provider ensures that Digitalisation and automation for a seamless, paperless workflow. On the one hand, documents received in analogue form need to be scanned; on the other hand, there are also documents received in digital form that need to be processed, digitally signed, and so on. Christian Poppek is one of two managing directors; the team currently comprises ten staff members.
But what does collaboration with other companies actually look like, for example kanzlei.land? Christian describes digital|bar as the link between sender and recipient. Documents of all kinds are captured, neatly formatted and transferred to the desired target platform in a digital, readable and processable form. These target platforms may be archiving systems, but could also be a client platform such as kanzlei.land. In practical terms, this means that a member of staff at a law firm can receive, process and file documents at their workstation. Clients can also use software from digital|bar on their computers to scan documents and send them to the firm via the client portal.
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Others just scan; digital|bar digitises and automates
Many software manufacturers already offer scanning systems and similar solutions. However, digital|bar really comes into its own when standard software runs out of steam. If, for example, a client scans two documents at once, someone at the practice would have to separate them manually. Such work processes, and others, can be automated using digital|bar’s solutions. Processes within a law firm can also be customised. For instance, documents from an email inbox can be processed automatically and forwarded to target systems. Where approval processes are required, distribution and signing off are handled entirely via digital|bar.
That is why Christian does not want digital|bar to be seen as a scanning service provider. The scanning service is intended for all those clients who refuse to switch to digital documents. Where possible, digital documents should definitely be preferred. The really exciting part only begins afterwards, when it comes to automating further processing. Most law firms come to digital|bar via external consultants who recommend the provider for document-related matters. However, should a law firm approach digital|bar directly, the company also offers a comprehensive consultancy service. This would begin with a workshop to assess the current situation. Together, they would consider which measures should be tackled.
Law firms should encourage their clients to embrace digitalisation
Paul wants to know from Christian whether law firms are well informed about the legal proceedings involving their clients. In Christian’s experience, it is usually the law firms’ secretariats that have the best overview of this. He has observed that, in most law firms, supporting documents are accepted exactly as they are received from the client. This is an area where law firms could already take a proactive approach to advising clients and encourage them to ensure that as many supporting documents as possible are digitised. This means that the client may need to contact all suppliers and service providers to ask them for digital invoices. However, Christian does not see law firm consultancy as a core area of digital|bar and, where necessary, would recommend partner firms that specialise in consultancy.
Christian came across the Tax Tech Alliance via a Clubhouse discussion, through which virtually all those involved know one another. Initially intended merely as a forum for software manufacturers and tax industry professionals to exchange ideas, the discussion group evolved into an alliance of shared interests. Software providers and law firms benefit from this in equal measure. The software companies ensure that the various products and services work seamlessly together. And the firms can be pleased that the manufacturers of different tools are in constant dialogue with one another. This means that nobody has to become dependent on a single software group, yet can still access a seamless selection of powerful tools and platforms.
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