Category: Time Matters

SQL Adventures – Navigating PCLaw Billing Preferences From HotDocs

The answer to the question is “MatterInfoSpareLong2″.  After several hours of searching, calls to former PCLaw product managers and tech support directors, I got the answer I was searching for.  My odyssey had started with a simple request: “Produce a report that combines File details in Amicus Attorney with billing and receivables details in PCLaw.  Having presented a seminar on integrating Amicus Attorney and HotDocs, I thought it a simple matter to integrate HotDocs and PCLaw.

On the surface, it was easy.  In PCLaw there is a MattInf table that stores the Matter information.  You can use the MatterID from within HotDocs to query the SQL database and get file information.  On the MattInf table there is a ClientID that links to information on the primary client, allowing you to pull in client data. For current statistics, there is a MattBal that contains data on each file regarding account balance, receivables, billings etc.

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New Life for Time Matters – GuestOffice

We recently upgraded our suite of Powerviews (Basha OMS and EPMS) to Time Matters 11.  Along the way we have done several implementations of Time Matters mobility service.  For the price (included with the AMP), it did supply some useful features, but the navigation and scope of data in it left much to be desired.

We then took a fresh look at MobileTM from DataEquity.  This solid tool has unlimited flexibility.  With it’s new release it has added graphical panache.  For it’s power, its price is very modest.  Once setup, it keeps working.

However, recent events, have attorneys looking for “portals”, which got me looking to GuestOffice.  The goal is to include the client in the picture with a wealth of information.  Guest Office is configurable in terms of data and security, and takes advantage of the power in PowerViews to view the data in an appealing fashion. At $3500 a case needs to be made for GuestOffice.  However, that fee may be the cost of satisfying a major client and securing  a large book of business.  It also may be distinguishing factor for law firms working with high-networth individuals. If you already have Time Matters and are looking to make it more powerful, it is something to consider.

What is currently missing, however, from the Time Matters offerings is an easy intake portal.  We can build an intake form (see www.estateplanningcompany.com) that feeds a HotDocs answer file, we still need an easy process to feed a Time Matters database.

 

Time Matters 11 – HotDocs Active Integration (Bug Fix)

President of Basha Systems

The Author

For 15 years I have been working with HotDocs and Time Matters, working to ensure the smooth data-flow between those 2 programs.  We have used several methods, including (1) template registration and field mapping, (2) active integration (lookup from HotDocs), and (3) SQL database integration.  But realize our surprise on a recent Time Matters 11 upgrade to a long-time client when the Active Integration ceased to work.  Rather than getting a Contact list or Matter list when we ran our HotDocs interview, we got a picklist, with NO DATA.  Quelle disaster!!

But, luckilly, there is an easy solution.  The issue has to do with a failure in TM11 to properly register Time Matters application in the section of the registry for HotDocs.  You have the choice of MANUALLY editing the registry.  Or, you can save the text below to a TEXT file in NotePad.  Call it “TM11-HotDocs10 Registrity Fix.reg”.  And then execute it on all workstation.

     Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
     [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\HotDocs\HotDocs\Answer Sources]
     "Time Matters - Contact"="c:\\Program Files\\LexisNexis\\Time Matters 11\\TMHDASC7.DLL"
     "Time Matters - Matter"="c:\\Program Files\\LexisNexis\\Time Matters 11\\TMHDASA7.DLL"

Disaster averted.  There are of course other issues that come with the upgrade.  But this one will make your life much easier.

BTW … Welcome to my new blog.  Basha Systems LLC has moved their blog from ExpressionEngine to WordPress.  We have also consolidated all our Tips Blogs (for HotDocs, GhostFill and Time Matters) into the main blog.  However, for those looking for timps, you can still use a menu item or subscribe to just a category.  Cheers, Seth.

Time Matters/LNTPA Installer Error – InfoEnt.msi – On Open of Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer

I don’t normally post installer bugs, but this is one that crops up from time to time and is difficult to swat down.  And so, for my purposes and anyone who works with Time Matters or LNTPA, here is the solution.  This bug happens because the Time Matters installer as well as the update utility makes registry changes that require a reboot.  When that reboot doesn’t happen, certain items required by Time Matters, as well as the Time Matters integration with internet explorer and windows explorer, don’t get set.  You get an error on opening IE or Windows Explorer that starts running the Time Matters / LNTPA installer. It keeps happening.  If you let the installer runs, it ends by asked for the location of the file INFOENT.MSI … which incidentally is nowhere to be found.  Read on for the EASY solution.

In Time Matters 10, go to the TMW10\Setup folder and run setup.exe.
Wait till it finishes extracting the MSI file clicking through a few screens, but DO NOT complete the setup
It will place a file called INFOENT into a newly created TEMP folder under the user’s personal profile
In WindowsXP, go to C:\Documents & Settings\[UserName]\LocalSettings\Temp\[HexCodeFolder CREATED TODAY]
In the temp folder look for a new folder with a GUID/HEX code name that was created the day of the installation.
When you find INFOENT.MSI copy the file to the TMW10\Setup folder
Now cancel the installation.
THEN, open IE or Windows Explorer and wait for the error to happen.  Wait until it ASKS you where InfoEnt.MSI is found.
Click on the folder lookup and point it to TMW10\Setup folder
Then click OK.
Problem goes away.

It would be nice if this were just fixed.  But, here is how you get around the problem.

Legal Technology Portal is Live

Our new Legal Technology portal is live.  To try it out, please bookmark http://legaltechnology.bashasys.net/.  If you have a “RSS feed” or a “twitter” that relates to “Case Management Software”, “Document Assembly Software” that you want included, please go to the website and suggest a link.  There is a wealth of information coming from Vendors in these areas.  Rather than “surfing”, use our website to do your research or to keep up on developments.  You will find my “Time Matters Tips” blog there.  At the moment, there is no feed from LexisNexis on Time Matters, PCLaw or Billing Matters, but that should change with time.

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