People and Software Services ...

Quill Pinpoint not only develop web based legal accounting & document management software for their clients but they also host their applications & client's data within their own data centres.

Quill Pinpoint's primary and recovery data centres are equipped with HP hardware and VMWare for server virtualization. Virtual machines and data are replicated to a co-location recovery data centre for business continuity & disaster recovery (BC&DR) purposes. And two internet pipes serve the primary data centre: one which uses the BT exchange and other outside of that for further BC&DR.

Law practices can write part of Quill Pinpoint's BC&DR plan into their own thereby outsourcing the IT part of their plan. and for those firms using the optional hosted Document Management System (DMS), Quill Pinpoint effectively become their virtual office.

Firms with head offices outside of the UK can monitor and supervise their UK offices from abroad. Quill Pinpoint offer free access to the firms accountants therefore helping to reduce the firms risk, improve their compliance with the Solicitors Accounts Rules (SAR), speed up audit times and ensure key management reporting such as cash flow forecasting is accessible to the right people.

Coupled with their outsourced Legal Cashiering service - provided by fully trained UK based legal cashiering teams - Quill Pinpoint provide their clients with an entire virtual business service: not just Software as a Service (SaaS) but the much more demanding and difficult to achieve: People and Software Services.

http://www.quill.co.uk/pinpoint/outsourced-services/

Professional Certificate in Legal Accounts Management

It was a proud day for Quill Pinpoint when the first twelve of its "home grown" legal cashiers stepped up to receive their Professional Certificate in Legal Accounts Management at an awards ceremony at the University of Chester.

Their journey started in 2007 when the company experienced difficulty in recruiting enough high calibre legal cashiers to meet the growing demand for the Quill Pinpoint outsourced legal accounting service. A decision was taken to recruit promising candidates for a rigorous in-house training programme that would tap into the wealth of knowledge and experience within the company, producing legal cashiers who would meet the exacting standards and also lead to a recognised qualification that would offer them real career progression.

One of the main advantages of in-house training has been the opportunity for trainees to be mentored by existing experienced Quill Pinpoint legal cashiers. This has ensured that they are fully versed in the technical aspects of the Pinpoint Interactive system as well as the importance of ensuring that no breaches of regulations occur by following the stringent procedures that are laid

One of the company's key objectives was for the training to provide a recognised qualification and to this end a number of avenues were explored. As the University of Chester already had a track record of working with employer-led training programmes, they were selected to deliver and support the academic aspects of the training. The qualification awards 60 UCAS points on completion.

According to HR director Maria Hadfield, the programme has exceeded every aspect of the company’s expectations. “The exercise has improved motivation, self-development and staff retention and proven to be an excellent return on our investment,” she comments.

Unexpectedly, the course proved to be engaging even to some of Quill Pinpoint’s most experienced cashiers and last year the opportunity to participate was extended to all legal staff. "Continuing professional development is valuable at every level and, of course, the chance to achieve a university-accredited qualification is the icing on the cake" adds Maria.

Twelve more staff will commence training at the start of the next academic year.

Re-Branding

Quill Computer Systems Ltd began life over 35 years ago as a software supplier to the legal profession in England & Wales. Then in the mid-1990's our sister company called Pinpoint Accounting Ltd was born that provided outsourced cashiering services to law firms using Quill's accounting software systems to drive it.

Since then, the marketing of these two businesses has been divided leaving our brand & our overall mission unclear to our potential clients.

So this year we undertook a full re-branding exercise by re-building our marketing essentials, such as brand-name, logo, brochure, newsletter & web site from the ground up. See the results for yourself www.quill.co.uk

Also our latest Readit! newsletter can be found here

Virtual Office

June 2009 sees the release of our new Document Assembly & Management module built directly into our flagship web browser application, Pinpoint Interactive.

The new module allows our clients to automatically assemble documents from precedent templates and attach them, along with emails, photos or sound files to their cases, generating automatic time recording & calendar reminders if required. And our optional Microsoft® Office Add-ins for Outlook® & Word make this a totally seamless user experience.

This new module fills a market need for the growing trend whereby the partners of a law firm are located in distributed locations with no central office. For virtual practices like these, using technology to network with each other, the Pinpoint outsourced cashiering service powered by Quill’s cloud computing solution is a “no brainer” as it provides a named legal cashier, a secure web based practice & document management system, daily & monthly reporting compliant with the Solicitor’s Accounts Rules and a ready-made business continuity & disaster recovery plan.

For further info, please contact Andrew Sherwin on 0161-236 2910 or email: info@quill.co.uk

Promoting Professionalism

With more legal practices taking the decision to move away from traditional partnership arrangements and becoming limited companies, Andrew Sherwin of Quill Group Ltd - a member of the Institute himself - asks the Institute of Directors (IoD) what they offer their members.
What is the IoD?
The Institute of Directors is the world’s most experienced and long-standing organisation for business leaders. It is a politically independent professional network with over 50,000 members, dedicated to raising professional standards and to helping their members understand and fulfil their roles and responsibilities as business leaders. Members have access to a range of products, services and advice to support them as they work towards the long term success and future of their organisations.
Representation and networking
As a prominent voice of industry, the IoD plays a key role in representing the views of its members to government, politicians, the media and other influential bodies. Through their lobbying group, they strive to drive and shape change that will improve business practice and achieve regulatory regimes that complement well-run organisations. The IoD provides an extensive and exclusive network for members on a local, national and international level which is supported by more than 1,000 events a year. They hold some of the biggest and most prestigious events in the UK business calendar, attracting world-class speakers – presidents, prime ministers and leaders of global corporations.
Supporting members
In addition to representation and a rich business network, the IoD provides its members with a host of expert, impartial advisory services and information on governance and other key business issues. Their award-winning team of professionally qualified researchers and consultants offers members the vital resources required to run a successful a business.
Why would the IoD be relevant to me?
When you first set up or manage your own business you will be an expert in your area of law but you may not know all the finer details of finance, HR, marketing or your personal liabilities as a company director. The IoD can provide advice, support and guidance on such issues and many more, helping you to run a successful business.

Further information and details of how to join the Institute of Directors: www.iod.com
Further information on outsourcing your Legal back office functions: http://www.quill.co.uk/pintpointlegal.htm

Book Review: Richard Susskind: The End of Lawyers?

Susskind unveils his fascinating vision of the Legal Industry of the future. He challenges solicitors to ask themselves what parts of their workload might be undertaken more quickly, cheaply, efficiently, or even to a higher quality using less expensive workers and smart systems and processes.
He suggests that the “internet generation” and "disruptive technologies" coupled with a market pull towards commoditisation of legal services will change the face of the legal profession. Susskind points out that, increasingly, many firms are being called upon to undertake work on a fixed fee basis rather than an hourly billing basis forcing partners to explore ways to cut costs such as outsourcing, not just the back office functions, but also many of the routine legal processes.
As a true futurist, Susskind claims to not predict the future but "lay out a buffet of possible options" and although the threat for legal services (as we know them) is clear, Susskind presents a great opportunity for innovative & entrepreneurial solicitors.
More info: http://www.susskind.com/endoflawyers.html
ISBN 978-0-19-954172-0

New Tax Year 2009/2010

The new tax year is the ideal time to consider outsourcing your payroll needs to Pinpoint Payroll because there is typically no charge for implementing new clients in April, the first month of the new tax year.
With over 20 years experience in the outsourcing of UK payroll processing, Pinpoint’s clients include solicitors, retailers, manufacturing and service industries, in fact anyone who needs a reliable, secure, discreet and cost-effective service. For more information please see our case studies.
Cath Delacoe, the Pinpoint Payroll Manager says: “our team has a wealth of experience in payroll matters which, combined with an in-depth knowledge of our clients, enables us to handle employee and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) enquiries and even host PAYE inspections”.
Pinpoint Payroll Key Features:
• Your own Pinpoint Payroll clerk
• No long term commitment
• BACS accredited
• BACS transfer and reporting
• P45, P35, P60 production
• SMP, SSP calculations
• Loans, CCJ, expense and pension deductions all handled
• HMRC on-line submission
Join an increasing number of firms that enjoy the benefits of outsourcing their payroll to Pinpoint Payroll.