Comparing PCLaw to TABS
Here is a brief discussion that resulted from a question asked on the Wisconsin State Bar 411 Listserv in March, 2010.
My paralegal and I are looking at switching to a new billing program for just two users for two computers. Any suggestions?
Jeff Krause's response:
A few (ok more than a few) more comments on the two products (TABS and PCLaw) that have been mentioned the most in this thread.
Pricing
This really does depend on exactly what you are looking to do. Your original post mentioned you wanted a billing program for two users on two computers. There are some things you did not mention that affect the price you would pay for each product.
Do both you and your paralegal bill and enter time?
Do you both need access to the program simultaneously?
If you and your paralegal both bill time AND need concurrent access to the system, you need a two timekeeper multi-user version of either product, the cost for each product would be TABS ($495.00 + $165 annual maintenance = $660.00) and PCLaw $1360 (about 30% of which is the annual maintenance). If you are the only timekeeper but you both need concurrent access to the system, the TABS cost would be unchanged but PCLaw drops to $905.00. Conversely, if you are both timekeepers but only one of you needs access at a time, the PCLaw cost stays the same but the TABS cost drops to $295 + $110 annual maintenance = $405.00. There are only two of you so you are not talking huge changes based on this question but, essentially, TABS charges for both timekeepers and concurrent users, PCLaw just for timekeepers.
Do you need other functions like accounts payable, trust accounting and general ledger? Front office practice management?
If you need any of these functions, there are additional costs and modules necessary for TABS. The cost of each one is $175 + $80 (single user) or $275 + 100 (multi user). As I said, these are all separate modules, meaning they are separate programs – not one. Same for the front office functions of PracticeMaster, the “Basic” version of which is included for free with TABS3. While these are separate applications, they are part of an integrated database and that integration is very, very good. Also, if you are really interested in front office, understand that the free version of PracticeMaster is the Basic one. It has a lot of functions but check http://www.tabs3.com/products/practicemaster/pm_comparison.html to determine if there is something you really need that is NOT included unless you pay for the Premier version (such as Word or WordPerfect integration, for example).
PCLaw includes (at no additional charge) all of these bookkeeping/accounting functions in a single program and has added a number of front office functions (including some found only in PracticeMaster Premier) over the past few years. As Karene mentioned, it has calendar, phone call tracking, document management tracking and many other features.
The bottom line on price is that PCLaw costs more if you just need to enter time and bill. If you need bookkeeping, accounting and full front office functions, the cost of the two products is pretty similar.
PCLaw pricing can be found at http://pm.lexisnexis.com/store/category/?cid=141.
For TABS go to http://www.tabs3.com/products/pricing_info.html.
Both products have free trials so try before you buy.
Other Considerations
Having supported and worked with both products for years now, here are some other thoughts.
Stability and Tech Support – Both products are very stable. However, if you have issues you are relying on tech support. TABS has always had great support and has an edge in this regard. Both products have local resellers and consultants to help you get started or work through issues. Wisconsin is fortunate to have some of the best.
Usability – Again, both products are relatively easy once you get used to the interface (which is actually pretty similar when all is said and done). Both have screens that group similar or related functions. You access a function by clicking on it from that group. For simple timekeeping, TABS has a Fee entry screen which is really easy and allows you to enter one time entry after another very quickly. PCLaw also has a very handy timesheet which allows you to view multiple entries and multiple timers and switch between them. Matter setup is easy in both. Both allow you to set defaults and inherit information from past matters for the same client as well as from default settings. In my opinion, setting up the bill layouts, especially multiple ones, is a little easier in PCLaw. If you need bookkeeping, accounting or front office functions, the fact that PCLaw has them all in one program is an advantage because you have less switching between programs. However, it is not that big of a deal to open each of the TABS modules once and leave them minimized.
I hope that helps. I felt I needed to comment as most of the other responses you received were promoting the virtues of one product or the other rather than comparing the two. They are both very good products. Just make sure you know why you are choosing one over the other and get a demonstration and/or free trial of both.
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