# Law firms and developers: developing software together
****** Software developers rarely come directly from the sector for which they are developing their solutions. Audit and tax consultancy firms, on the other hand, know exactly which tools they need and how these should work. However, as they are not programmers, they have to look for the most suitable solution available on the market. hsp has recognised this conflict and has launched projects with partner firms to develop bespoke software solutions for specific tasks. On „hsp live at 11“, those involved will share their experiences. Britta van den Eynden from the IDW \(Institute of Public Auditors in Germany\) will also present the Solon X platform.**

Our guests are Andrea Treib from W\+ST Wirtschaftsprüfung AG & Co. KG and Tobias Polka from ADKL. Both are collaborating with hsp to develop bespoke software to address specific topics. Together with Andrea Treib, software has been developed on the topic of [Tax Compliance](../../en/tcms-tax-compliance-management-system/index.md) implemented. What motivated Andrea and W\+ST at the time to work with hsp – a software company – to develop a bespoke solution?

In the past, the law firm focused primarily on individual cases, which could usually be managed without specialist software. Today, the focus is much more on entire processes. The firm cannot manage this on such a scale using traditional methods; the lawyers need digital support. As a firm without in-house software expertise, the practice has reached its limits. Andrea regards the collaboration with hsp as a complete success, as the firm’s specialist expertise and hsp’s development experience have resulted in a bespoke solution.

## Sharing knowledge rather than hoarding it

W\+ST aims to provide its clients with comprehensive advice. Consequently, it also had to address the issue of tax compliance. As a large auditing and tax consultancy group, W\+ST has the resources to enter into such a partnership. However, many small firms do not have these capabilities. That is why it is clear to Andrea that the software should be made available – „you don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time,“ says Andrea.

Tobias agrees. Small firms in particular could benefit from such software solutions to offer and manage a wide range of important services despite limited capacity. Britta van den Eynden adds that the Solon X platform was developed precisely for such solutions. Many tools are being developed that ingeniously solve specific problems. The task now is to use resources efficiently and pool the industry’s strengths. Tax advisers and auditors will find powerful tools on Solon X, as well as comprehensive information on a wide range of specialist topics. Ultimately, the platform aims to become the go-to resource for digital solutions and information relating to tax consultancy and auditing.

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## Take the initiative rather than wait and see

Tobias Polka from ADKL explains that his company has to offer customers solutions when they approach them with specific issues. If their own tools do not provide the necessary capabilities, they have to look for suitable alternatives. In this context, one option for Tobias was to collaborate with hsp.

Many colleagues in the profession still assume today that they have one software provider and want to use it to cover all their needs. Tobias believes this approach is no longer in keeping with the times. In his view, the future lies in using different tools from different providers for different tasks – tailor-made and compatible. Unfortunately, many people still have reservations about moving away, at least in part, from their long-standing software provider and looking for new sources of solutions.

Andrea broadly agrees with this. She even goes so far as to say that many people in the industry do not even look for specialist software for specific areas. If, for example, a new issue arises that is not covered by any of the major software providers, colleagues tend to fall back on Word or Excel. Sooner or later, however, clients will notice this. And ultimately, it is the clients’ feedback that counts. If a firm approaches clients with a makeshift solution, they will quickly up in arms. In this respect, Andrea recommends that her colleagues and the industry as a whole adapt to modular solutions and specialist software. As far as specialist software for tax compliance is concerned, she has received consistently positive feedback from her colleagues.

## A success on the whole

How can existing barriers be overcome? Britta believes that simply talking about it time and again helps. The more software solutions are made available via Solon X, the more people will use the platform. And the more positive experiences people have, the faster and more widely the mindset of using modular tools will spread.

How do clients react when law firms set about developing their own solutions? Andrea divides clients into different categories. For example, there is the group that tends to put off issues such as tax compliance and would prefer not to tackle them at all. If you approach this group with new software, their concerns really come flooding out: new software means new costs, necessary training, and so on. This group is addressed separately with the message that the software is particularly intuitive.

Andrea identifies the second group as those clients who have been waiting for exactly this. They have previously approached the firm regarding the issue of tax compliance. This includes a number of corporate groups with complex structures. In such cases, software solutions are indispensable, and the specialist software was therefore particularly well received by this group.

## New software must be intuitive

Tobias’s situation was different from Andrea’s. His target audience was mainly consultants, and the software was first used in a test scenario. As a result, the software was received very openly and positively right from the start. The test scenario quickly demonstrated that the software is easy to use. Tobias considers this to be one of the most important aspects of any new development.

Are law firms being pressured by their clients to offer software solutions? Andrea thinks that „pressured“ is perhaps a slightly too negative way of putting it. In her experience, however, it is true that clients do approach law firms with specific issues. They were asking for intelligent software solutions, such as those the firm has developed in collaboration with hsp.

Britta adds that Solon X is launching as a platform that provides industry-specific solutions for the industry. In the long term, however, the platform is also intended to become a point of contact for clients looking for software solutions.