An Updated Look at Tabs3 Version 11.2

Software Technology, Inc., the maker of Tabs3, has released Tabs3 Version 11.2 of its time and billing software program.

The Version 11.2 release of Tabs3 provides new and enhanced features that range from the use of proportional fonts in reports and billing statements and a new statement designer, to a redesign of data entry interfaces and reports.

Version 11.2 also includes a complimentary license of STI's PracticeMaster Basic (www.PracticeMaster.com) to provide integrated case management functions such as built-in calendaring, note taking, contact management and enhanced conflict of interest checking from a single point of data entry. Tabs3 has also improved the integration and functionality with its own optional accounting programs as well as enhanced the connectivity between the program and QuickBooks.

The task folder environment in Tabs3 is a straightforward interface that makes it easy for a user to understand the process of creating a client, recording time and disbursements and producing a final bill. The software uses a context-sensitive help system that has been updated with more screen shots of each topic presented. Users can also load a multimedia tutorial that corresponds to many of the help topics presented, further assisting users with understanding a particular area the program.

The Client Program in Tabs3 has been redesigned to further streamline the data entry of case information by reorganizing the input screens and their titles to speed the file opening process. Tabs3 also maintains a separate client notes area for internal purposes and another notes section that can be printed on pre-bills, A/R and WIP reports.

A firm can also create up to 60 custom fields in the client file to store information unique to each firm or practice. An added feature of this is the ability to create different sets of fields for a particular client. This feature is particularly useful for insurance defense law firms that need the ability to create fields and track information based on each insurance carrier's requirements. While the custom field function is helpful on the screen the can only be printed on the Client List Report.

Assigning and managing billing rates for timekeepers in the firm is easier in Tabs3 Version 11.2 because of a new feature that allows you to add new billing rates before the rates become effective. Just enter the new rate and the date it will take effect, and Tabs3 automatically selects the rate that applies for the date for which time is entered. A new Cost Rate Table Program is a good feature for firms that need to assign unique cost rates based on individual client requirements, such as charges for photo copies, research, etc.

Current users of Tabs3 Version 11.2 will see that changes have been made to the Fee, Cost, Payment, and Client Funds data entry programs. Besides updated and more efficient data entry screens, individual users can choose to suppress fields that are not typically used by people in the firm who just record time and disbursements. A user can optionally split the data entry screen in the Fee Program to show work in process and/or previously billed transactions by client, date, timekeeper, user, etc., with various totals shown at the bottom of the list. This feature makes it easy for users to edit transactions and get needed information without running a report. On the other hand, there is no way to print the transactions shown without running a separate report. Many toolbars or text menus in the data entry screens have been replaced with more intuitive graphical buttons for easier access. Additional fields track the date and user that created the entry. The Fee Program also includes two hourly fields that track how much time a timekeeper actually worked versus the amount of time billed for each transaction.

Users of Tabs 3 can now benefit from integrated case management functionality thanks to a complimentary single-user license of PracticeMaster Basic that comes bundled with Tabs3 Version 11.2. PracticeMaster Basic gives a firm access to integrated calendaring, note taking, e-mail integration, contact management functionality, document tracking, and custom reports. Additional licenses of PracticeMaster Basic are $50.

Tabs3 and PracticeMaster mirror data files, so input related to clients, fees and costs can be added or maintained from either application without the re-input required from separate billing and case management systems. PracticeMaster also features an enhanced Conflict of Interest Check Program that can locate virtually any piece of case information in less than a second or two and offers drill-down access to the records and fields containing the information being searched.

Firms that need additional case management functionality ' such as customized area of practice templates, automated document assembly, calendar plans, and integration with court rules and document management ' can upgrade to PracticeMaster Premier at any time. Additional concurrent licenses for PracticeMaster Basic and PracticeMaster Premier can be purchased for $50 and $150 respectively for each additional license.

Looking further into Tabs3 Version 11.2, users of the program will find that virtually all of the reports have been redesigned and now include the use of proportional fonts, various typefaces, black and grey lines, and shading of key information that improves the readability of each report. Each user can individually select from a menu of printing features that will be used at any given time.

Many of the reports have “drill down” capability from the print preview window to provide quick access and editing capability to information contained on the report. Report information can be searched and even refreshed while in any preview window.

All reports can be previewed on the screen, sent to a local or network printer, or even saved as a text or HTML file. This functionality allows a firm to easily e-mail any report or save the data for use in almost any word processing, or spreadsheet program, or even electronically store the information to disk or other media. Like prior versions of Tabs3, a firm can also create a PDF (Portable Document Format) from Tabs3 reports using any PDF writer software application such as Adobe PDF. (www.adobe.com) It would be nice if Tabs3 added its own PDF driver to its report engine to give users built in access to this functionality.

Reports in Tabs3 allow a user to specify which information will be included on the report, whether to print the report in portrait or landscape, or include an optional footer with the date, time and the initials of the person who ran the report. Furthermore, the data in Tabs3 and PracticeMaster is ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) compliant through the use of a data base driver from FairCom. (www.faircom.com) Once the ODBC is driver is installed, the data from Tabs3 or PracticeMaster is available for further custom reporting purposes in programs such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access or Crystal Report Writer to name a few.

Tabs3 Version 11.2 features a statement designer program that gives a law firm the ability to customize the layout for billing statements using varied fonts, headings, footers, and desired placement of client addresses and firm information. Multiple graphic elements including the use of bitmaps, lines, boxes, shading and watermarks can be used in any statement design with separate layouts for initial or subsequent pages including cover statements and envelopes. Working with the statement designer does take some skill and effort to master, and the design elements are restricted to certain portions of the billing statement.

Overall Tabs3, Version 11.2 offers some improvement over the existing version of its flagship product. The addition of PracticeMaster Basic at no additional cost is an added benefit of this upgrade.

Typical price ranges for Tabs3 begin at $295 for a solo firm and $3995 for a 39 timekeeper firm running on a network. Additional pricing structures for larger firms are available at www.Tabs3.com. The company can also be reached directly at 402-423-1440 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Software Technology, Inc., the maker of Tabs3, has released Tabs3 Version 11.2 of its time and billing software program.

The Version 11.2 release of Tabs3 provides new and enhanced features that range from the use of proportional fonts in reports and billing statements and a new statement designer, to a redesign of data entry interfaces and reports.

Version 11.2 also includes a complimentary license of STI's PracticeMaster Basic (www.PracticeMaster.com) to provide integrated case management functions such as built-in calendaring, note taking, contact management and enhanced conflict of interest checking from a single point of data entry. Tabs3 has also improved the integration and functionality with its own optional accounting programs as well as enhanced the connectivity between the program and QuickBooks.

The task folder environment in Tabs3 is a straightforward interface that makes it easy for a user to understand the process of creating a client, recording time and disbursements and producing a final bill. The software uses a context-sensitive help system that has been updated with more screen shots of each topic presented. Users can also load a multimedia tutorial that corresponds to many of the help topics presented, further assisting users with understanding a particular area the program.

The Client Program in Tabs3 has been redesigned to further streamline the data entry of case information by reorganizing the input screens and their titles to speed the file opening process. Tabs3 also maintains a separate client notes area for internal purposes and another notes section that can be printed on pre-bills, A/R and WIP reports.

A firm can also create up to 60 custom fields in the client file to store information unique to each firm or practice. An added feature of this is the ability to create different sets of fields for a particular client. This feature is particularly useful for insurance defense law firms that need the ability to create fields and track information based on each insurance carrier's requirements. While the custom field function is helpful on the screen the can only be printed on the Client List Report.

Assigning and managing billing rates for timekeepers in the firm is easier in Tabs3 Version 11.2 because of a new feature that allows you to add new billing rates before the rates become effective. Just enter the new rate and the date it will take effect, and Tabs3 automatically selects the rate that applies for the date for which time is entered. A new Cost Rate Table Program is a good feature for firms that need to assign unique cost rates based on individual client requirements, such as charges for photo copies, research, etc.

Current users of Tabs3 Version 11.2 will see that changes have been made to the Fee, Cost, Payment, and Client Funds data entry programs. Besides updated and more efficient data entry screens, individual users can choose to suppress fields that are not typically used by people in the firm who just record time and disbursements. A user can optionally split the data entry screen in the Fee Program to show work in process and/or previously billed transactions by client, date, timekeeper, user, etc., with various totals shown at the bottom of the list. This feature makes it easy for users to edit transactions and get needed information without running a report. On the other hand, there is no way to print the transactions shown without running a separate report. Many toolbars or text menus in the data entry screens have been replaced with more intuitive graphical buttons for easier access. Additional fields track the date and user that created the entry. The Fee Program also includes two hourly fields that track how much time a timekeeper actually worked versus the amount of time billed for each transaction.

Users of Tabs 3 can now benefit from integrated case management functionality thanks to a complimentary single-user license of PracticeMaster Basic that comes bundled with Tabs3 Version 11.2. PracticeMaster Basic gives a firm access to integrated calendaring, note taking, e-mail integration, contact management functionality, document tracking, and custom reports. Additional licenses of PracticeMaster Basic are $50.

Tabs3 and PracticeMaster mirror data files, so input related to clients, fees and costs can be added or maintained from either application without the re-input required from separate billing and case management systems. PracticeMaster also features an enhanced Conflict of Interest Check Program that can locate virtually any piece of case information in less than a second or two and offers drill-down access to the records and fields containing the information being searched.

Firms that need additional case management functionality ' such as customized area of practice templates, automated document assembly, calendar plans, and integration with court rules and document management ' can upgrade to PracticeMaster Premier at any time. Additional concurrent licenses for PracticeMaster Basic and PracticeMaster Premier can be purchased for $50 and $150 respectively for each additional license.

Looking further into Tabs3 Version 11.2, users of the program will find that virtually all of the reports have been redesigned and now include the use of proportional fonts, various typefaces, black and grey lines, and shading of key information that improves the readability of each report. Each user can individually select from a menu of printing features that will be used at any given time.

Many of the reports have “drill down” capability from the print preview window to provide quick access and editing capability to information contained on the report. Report information can be searched and even refreshed while in any preview window.

All reports can be previewed on the screen, sent to a local or network printer, or even saved as a text or HTML file. This functionality allows a firm to easily e-mail any report or save the data for use in almost any word processing, or spreadsheet program, or even electronically store the information to disk or other media. Like prior versions of Tabs3, a firm can also create a PDF (Portable Document Format) from Tabs3 reports using any PDF writer software application such as Adobe PDF. (www.adobe.com) It would be nice if Tabs3 added its own PDF driver to its report engine to give users built in access to this functionality.

Reports in Tabs3 allow a user to specify which information will be included on the report, whether to print the report in portrait or landscape, or include an optional footer with the date, time and the initials of the person who ran the report. Furthermore, the data in Tabs3 and PracticeMaster is ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) compliant through the use of a data base driver from FairCom. (www.faircom.com) Once the ODBC is driver is installed, the data from Tabs3 or PracticeMaster is available for further custom reporting purposes in programs such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access or Crystal Report Writer to name a few.

Tabs3 Version 11.2 features a statement designer program that gives a law firm the ability to customize the layout for billing statements using varied fonts, headings, footers, and desired placement of client addresses and firm information. Multiple graphic elements including the use of bitmaps, lines, boxes, shading and watermarks can be used in any statement design with separate layouts for initial or subsequent pages including cover statements and envelopes. Working with the statement designer does take some skill and effort to master, and the design elements are restricted to certain portions of the billing statement.

Overall Tabs3, Version 11.2 offers some improvement over the existing version of its flagship product. The addition of PracticeMaster Basic at no additional cost is an added benefit of this upgrade.

Typical price ranges for Tabs3 begin at $295 for a solo firm and $3995 for a 39 timekeeper firm running on a network. Additional pricing structures for larger firms are available at www.Tabs3.com. The company can also be reached directly at 402-423-1440 or by e-mail at [email protected].