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These are the most important/interesting updates from 2020 release of SmartAdvocate. |
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Two-factor Authentication
Introduced support for two-factor authentication. The code can be delivered via email or text message.
Intake Scoring
New feature to automatically score intakes based on the answers to intake questions.
Teams for Staff Assignment
Assignment of staff on the Case Summary page now supports Teams.
Custom Template Pages and Panels
New Feature: Custom Template Pages and Panels. Now you can add template based pages to your Cases and template based panels to Case Summary. The templates are defined in a same way as email and note templates.
Template:
Page Generated from the Template:
Configurable Panels/Tabs on the Case Summary Screen
The set of Case Summary Panels and Tabs (at the bottom) can now be configured for each Case Group. Different Panels and Tabs can be shown or hidden for different Case Groups. This configuration includes 4 new Custom Panels that can display information from the templates.
The configuration can be done under Admin → Picklist Maintenance → Case Summary Page Design.
View All Notes, Appointments, Tasks, SOLs and Critical Deadlines Directly on the Case Summary Screen
Added ability to quickly view all notes without leaving the Case Summary page. Just click the “View All Notes” link at the top right corner of the “Last Notes” panel. Same functionality was added for Appointments, Tasks, SOLs and Critical Deadlines.
Auto Text Replacement (Abbreviations Expansion)
Auto text replacement is now available when typing notes or emails. The configuration is done under Admin → Picklist Maintenance.
Custom Template Pages and Panels
New Feature: Custom Template Pages. Now you can add template based pages to your Cases. The templates are defined in a same way as email and note templates.
Template:
Page Generated from the Template:
Mass Email/Text Other Case Contacts (not just clients)
Mass Email and Mass Text now support ability to select other types of case contacts as recipients of mass generated emails. Use this feature to reach out to Attorneys, Adjusters, Judges, etc.
Also Mass Document Generation now supports generation of documents for other case contacts (not just clients).
Mass Email Documents
Mass email page now support ability to attach documents from the case to mass generated emails. The documents are selected by the Document Category/Sub-Category.
Email Word Document as PDF
Option to email a Word Document as a PDF was added to Documents page. It converts the document to PDF and then opens an email with the new PDF document attached.
Appointment Dialog Redesign
Appointment Dialog was redesigned and appointments functionality was enhanced.
Appointment Template support. You can select an appointment template that can automatically pick Activity Type, select Attendees, populate Subject and Comments.
Streamlined attendees selection. Staff assigned to the case can be added using check-boxes. There are also shortcuts for Case Parties, Case Contacts, Firm Staff and full list of contacts from SmartAdvocate.
Ability to attach documents. Documents can be selected from the case or new documents can be attached.
Rich text appointment comments. You can now use the same rich text formatting abilities that were already available for notes and emails.
Invite format can now be customized via template. Control the way appointment information is formatted into invite that is being send to appointment participants.
Push Appointments from Outlook into SmartAdvocate
SmartAdvocate Outlook Plugin now supports creation of an appointment in SmartAdvocate from an invite or appointment in your Outlook calendar.
Right-click on the invite and select “Accept and Add to SmartAdvocate”.
Right click on the appointment already on your Outlook Calendar and select “Add to SmartAdvocate”.
Use the “Add to SmartAdvocate” dialog to select the case, pick activity type and adjust Location and Comments.
Expandable Panels on the My SmartAdvocate Screen
Added ability to expand individual panels to full screen.
Documents Search Page Enhancements
Multiple improvements were implemented on the Document Search page
Added a preview panel
Added multi-select/multi-update option
Added more document actions: Email Link, Download, Edit Properties.
Document Handler for Mac
Automatic downloading of document for edit with automatic upload after document is modified is now supported for Mac computers.
You can download SmartAdvocate Document Handler for Mac from the App Store. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/smartadvocate-document-handler/id1497902288
Automatic Retainer Fee Assignment
Now SmartAdvocate can be configured to automatically pick the Retainer Fee based on Case State, Group or Type.
Automatic Majority Age Calculation
SmartAdvocate will now automatically mark Minor (Infant) contacts as Adult when they reach Majority Age. The calculation of Majority Age will be done based on the state configuration in Picklist Maintenance.
Configuration for “Go Directly To” Menu
“Go Directly To” menu can now be customized (System-wide) to include any case-related pages. Configuration is done under Picklist Maintenance (“Go Directly To Options“).
Case Navigation Panel Expand/Collapse Controls
Two new system parameters that control the behavior of the case navigation panel were added. By default both are set to True and preserve previous system behavior. You can change them to prevent Plaintiff panel from automatically expanding when pages from General Panel are shown. You can also allow General panel to collapse when pages from other panels are shown.
Critical Comment Indicator for Top Case Search
Introduced Critical Comment indicator on the Top Search Results page. This indicator allows users to see that there is a critical comment on the case even if they don’t open the case.
Birthday Trigger for Automated Procedures
Automated procedures can now be triggered by client’s Birthday. Send text or email messages on your client’s Birthday automatically or create a task for case paralegal to make a personal call.
Separate Email Configuration for Mass Emails, Automatic Emails and Individual Users
Email settings can now be configured separately for Mass Email and Automatic Emails.
In addition, the settings can be different for each user (configured by admins under Admin → Users).
