Do you have any advice about using Microsoft Access within the context of a small law firm.?

One of the head partners wants to use Access to manage his clients/matters, etc. I think he is starting to perceive the program as a sort of fix-all to his current state of disorganization.





Has anyone used MS Access to help organize the inner-workings of a law firm? And if so, do you have any advice about its use?Do you have any advice about using Microsoft Access within the context of a small law firm.?
I have a lot of Access experience. It is a relation database program. So given the right set up you could use it to manage client lists, billings etc. Some things I can see it would work for in a law firm, some stuff would probably require expertise you don't have.


I would have to think a software program designed for a law office would be much better. It may actually use Access in the backgound, but have all sorts of interfaces already set up.


Example, I could run my small business accounting on Excel, or I could buy Quick Books or Peachtree and have 100s of functions already built in.


Also is there a commitment to adhere to the requirements of a centralized data management process? If not, setting one up is a waste of time. Example, you use the database for client info. Mr Smith gets a new client and puts the info on the usual post-it note. Then losses the post-it note, then wonders why the client info is not in the system.


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