Time Matters

Here is a list of the new features in Lexis Front Office Powered by Time Matters 9.  My comments are identified with JSK.  Bookmark this page and check back often.  I will add additional comments as I have more opportunity to review the new features.

User Defined Record Types

Users can define up to five record types for specific uses within the firm.  User defined record types can be name-based or date based.  Date-based User defined records are similar to Events and To Dos.  Name-user defined records are similar to Contacts and Matters.  Examples of where user defined records may be used are actors, assets, damages, etc.  I only wish there were more than five.

JSK - This is one of those features where I like to say "Only a consultant can love this one."  It is hard for the average user to understand the reason or use for such a feature.  In my case, this is going to make certain aspects of our IP Associates Feature Packages, much easier to implement and explain.

New Task Panel on Lists (replacing the old Navigation Bar)

The Task Panel adds additional options to what used to be the Navigation Bar.  The new panel allows users to add Power Views, Quick Tabs as before.  It also gives access to functions such as the ability to add other record types.  Each area of the Task Panel can be expanded and collapsed.

Removed 6 staff limits w/in application

For all practical purposes the six staff limitation on each record has been removed.  The new limit is one hundred, which should satisfy 99.99% of users.

Archive Related Records Wizard (when a contact/matter is archived)

This wizard assists users with the archiving of related records when a Contact or Matter is archived.  The wizard will show you a list of related records and allow you to choose which ones should be archived.

New Wizards

For new users, or those who prefer using wizards, there are new wizards for New User, Security, Staff, Security Profiles, Quick Tabs, Class Codes, Email Setup, and Record Review.

Powerviews

New updated Powerviews for all record types

All of the Powerviews have been updated with a new look and feel.  Add and Search icons have replaced the previous text links.

Firm address information tokens now available for users who create new Powerviews

A series of tokens makes it easy to display firm specific information in do-it-yourself Powerviews.

Main Toolbars

New Calendar toolbar button that has a dropdown to choose type of calendar to open

Instead of four separate toolbar buttons to take up space, a new Calendar button has a pulldown that allows users to select Daily, Weekly, Monthly or Scheduler.

Ability to show multiple toolbars

Previously, users could create multiple toolbars and switch between them.  Now, it is possible to display multiple toolbars at the same time.

Added selective text on right option

Save space on your toolbars by with a new setting that shrinks the toolbar icons and shows text to the right of each button.

Lists

Event/Todo list – added right click option to email as iCal

Right click on an Event or ToDo in their respective lists and send them as a iCal record.  Outlook users can import an iCal record as an Outlook Calendar or Task item.

Contact list – added right click option to email as vCard

Right click on a Contact in the Contact List and send that Contact as a vCard.  Outlook users can import the vCard as an Outlook Contact.

Moved options button from the title bar to a button on the toolbar

The options button is now accessible as a button on each list toolbar.  Previously, it was on the list title bar and was easy to overlook.

Tag-Process-Attach to other records option added for Events and Todos

This useful function, first introduced to help attach Email records to multiple Matters, allows you to attach an Event or ToDo to multiple Matters.

Quick Tab - Filter option to use a Saved Tagged List

Allows users to use a previously saved Tagged List (introduced in version 8) as the filter criteria for a Quick Tab.

Forms

Code and Staff labels are customizable on supporting record forms

Previously, the Code or Staff field labels could only be changed on the four main record types.

Changed the cancel form warning to ‘Do you want to save the changes’

This one will be hard to get used to.  After years of having to say "Yes, I do not want to save," we will have to get used to selecting "No" like every other program.

Journals

Contact/Matter Journal – added section to show related Contacts/Matters

These selectors allow related records of the same type to be displayed.  For example, you can now see related Matters within the Matter Journal.

Personal Journal – added more options to the filter for Contact and Matter areas

Filter Options have been added to allow users to specific which Contacts or Matters appear in the Personal Journal based on the Classification Code or Staff.

Trigger enhancements:

A number of enhances have been added to the Trigger feature. A Trigger can now be set to fire when a Field is Changed from Blank, Changed From/To, or when a Record is Added with a specific Field Populated.

There is also a checkbox that allows a specific trigger to be hidden from the Trigger List on under the View Menu on the Form.

New Date range filter options

Two useful "Date in Range" filters have been added; Last 7 Days and Next 7 Days.

Security

An Exceptions tab has been added to better define profile-wide exceptions.

User Interface Updates

A number of Time Matters Features have been reworked to look and feel more like standard Windows features.  In some cases, legacy features have been updated to look like newer features.  Here are a few:

The Global Search wizard looks and feels like the other new Time Matters wizards. 

Tagged records now appear as a checkmark rather than an x.

Lookups now appear as "..." similar to other Windows applications.  The old "Up Arrow" has been replaced.

Linked records now appear as a bidirectional arrow.  The old underlined plus sign has been replaced.

Phone and Email fields use a callout button rather than the old phone and email icons.

Record selectors have been removed from the Alerts, Calendars and Journals.  The same functionality is included in a View button on the toolbar.

AutoComplete functionality has been added throughout the application to the Regarding Line.

Clicking Help goes to context specific help in the Context and Index section of the Help file.

Schedule Chain List can now be filtered and sorted.

Calendar changes

There are a lot of interface changes.  Selectors allow the Reference Calendar and Supporting Records to be expanded and collapsed.  Display options allow easier access to fonts and other preferences.   JSK - The Staff selector has moved to the split view.  I am not sure I like that but I can probably get used to it.

Date Calculator and Reference Calendar

There is a new interface to the Date Calculator.  Clicking a lookup on a date field takes you to a simple three month view from which you can pick a date.  This interface includes an Advanced selector which displays the old Date Calculator.  JSK - This will be less confusing for most users but users who used the lookup to get to the Date Calculator will have a hard time finding it at first.

Program and User Level Setup

These screens have a new look and feel.  JSK - The tabs are gone, replaced by a selector along the left side of the screen.

Template Setup

Similar to other screens, the varioius Template setup screens use a selector rather than the old tab system.

Program Stability

Time Matters can deny a request to hiberate if resources are running low.

Time Matters better support Citrix.

Global Search/Conflict of Interest Search

Uses Lexis Front Office Indexer for faster searches.

Can now use Google Desktop as a source.

Billing Matters

Quick Item Entry

AutoTXT support has been added.

Security

Add/Chg/Del Transactions and Invoices options will now also restrict users from accessing opening balances screen

Email Bills

A new option allows a default email message when emailing a bill on that Matter.

A new section has been added to the Bill Preferences Wizard allowing you to set email preferences when setting up the Matter.

Email dropdown on the Accounts Receivable tab of the Billin Preferences allows you to choose an email from the Matter and related Contacts to which bills can be sent.

Accounting

Checks written from Fund Accounts are now included on Vendors 1099 report.

Reports

A new Fund Balacne by Matter or Contact will show you the balance for each fund account as of a specific date.

The current Fund Activity with Balance report shows a starting and ending balance for the specified time period.

New Current Year filters have been added to the Income Statement and Balance Sheet reports.

Option to included Archived Records on a number of Billing and Staff reports under the Standard Reports.