These are the most important and interesting updates from the 2020 release of SmartAdvocate.

Two-factor Authentication

SmartAdvocate now supports two-factor authentication. The code can be delivered via email or text message.

Open

Intake Scoring

New feature to automatically score intakes is based on the answers to intake questions.

Open

Teams for Staff Assignment

Assignment of staff on the Case Summary page now supports Teams.

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 the same way as email and note templates.

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

Clients now have the 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. The 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.

Mass Email/Text Other Case Contacts (not just clients)

Mass Email and Mass Text now supports the ability to select other types of case contacts as recipients of mass-generated communication. Clients can use this feature to reach out to Attorneys, Adjusters, Judges, etc. Mass Document Generation now supports the generation of documents for other case contacts (not just clients).

Mass Email Documents

The Mass Email page now supports the 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

The option to email a Word Document as a PDF was added to the Documents page. It converts the document to a PDF and then opens an email with the new PDF document attached.

Appointment Dialog Redesign

Appointment Dialog was redesigned and appointments functionality was enhanced.

1. Appointment Template support. You can now select an appointment template that can automatically pick Activity Type, select Attendees, populate Subject, and Comments.

2. 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 a full list of contacts from SmartAdvocate.

3. Ability to attach documents. Documents can be selected from the case or new documents can be attached.

4. Rich text appointment comments. You can now use the same rich text formatting abilities that were already available for notes and emails.

5. Invite format can now be customized via templates. Control the way appointment information is formatted into an invite that is being sent to appointment participants.

Push Appointments from Outlook into SmartAdvocate

SmartAdvocate Outlook Plugin now supports the creation of an appointment in SmartAdvocate from an invite or appointment in your Outlook calendar.

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

1. Added a preview panel

2. Added multi-select/multi-update option

3. Added more document actions: Email Link, Download, Edit Properties.

Document Handler for Mac

Automatic downloading of a document for editing with automatic upload after the 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 the 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. The 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 the previous system behavior. You can change them to prevent the Plaintiff panel from automatically expanding when pages from the General Panel are shown. You can also allow the General panel to collapse when pages from other panels are shown.

Critical Comment Indicator for Top Case Search

SmartAdvocate has introduced the 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 a client’s Birthday. Send a text or email messages on your client’s Birthday automatically or create a task for the 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).