I saw the webcast from Bill Gates keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show 2006 and what was demonstrated (Microsoft's vision of what is possible within next five years) is "way cool." A software driven world of connectivity/integration between any number of devices that is mind boggling. However, after reflecting on this future, I was reminded just how difficult it is dealing with legacy data and applications as we migrate to the next new thing. Although I am one of the faithful that believe that these disruptive technologies can provide competitive advantage if used to improve (or initiate in most cases) better conversations with customers, I do not subscribe to big bang migrations of proven back office technologies and processes.
These new technologies may be revolutionary but our adaptation should be evolutionary. Work at improving key processes in the value chain where you are most likely to differentiate your offerings (usually customer centric), if your time and billing system is working just fine then leave it alone. I recently had an attorney email me (tracked me down actually) that he was still using "The Lawyer's DeskTop" a DOS based case management/Time & Billing application that I developed in the early 90's before Windows 3.1 changed the world. Now granted, a DOS based package would not be my preference today, but while there is little doubt that practice management software of this kind is required, I can assure you that attorneys are not deriving any competitive advantages from it, it is just a cost of doing business.
The interesting "stuff" is happening not in the back office apps but in the apps that change the dynamic of how attorneys interact with clients (think KM apps, wikis, intranets, database driven marketing, etc.).
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