Smokeball Reviews

Pros

Its simple to set up workflows and we've automated it so the right team member gets assigned a task exactly when it's their turn to handle it. It also makes profitability very visible, whether we're billing on a flat-fee basis or tracking hourly work.

Cons

Because the platform is split between desktop and cloud, it can feel a bit sluggish at times. Being able to keep working without an internet connection is definitely useful but I think it would benefit from moving more fully to the cloud.

Pros

One of the most valuable things about Smokeball is how well it connects with key Microsoft Office functions especially when it comes to email handling and document indexing.

Cons

It is fairly resource-heavy. It performs well overall but it is not completely fluid and it still has its share of bugs.

Pros

It has been a real game changer for our firm. During COVID, we were able to move from working in the office to working from home without any disruption at all. Opening and closing files is very simple and billing is quick and hassle-free. I've already recommended it to other firms and I'd absolutely keep doing so.

Cons

The biggest downside is the cost and I'm not a fan of having to negotiate the contract.

Pros

Without a doubt, the Timefinder utility has been the most valuable feature for me.

Cons

There's definitely a learning curve with this software and it can take anywhere from 1 to 3 months to really get comfortable using it.

Pros

Getting brought on part-time to automate files before Smokeball looked very different from what I do now. These days I handle billing, cover letters, accounting file updates and opening new client files all in one place. Even without any formal training, I picked it up right away and have been able to work in Smokeball comfortably on a regular basis.

Cons

The frequent updates can temporarily affect another function when they roll out. That said the support team is excellent and usually gets everything fixed the very same day.

Pros

Document automation is simple to pick up and makes it possible to automate repetitive letters and forms which saves a lot of time.

Cons

I'd really like a way to print workflows somehow although I'm not sure whether that's currently possible. Still, I absolutely love it!

Pros

The customer service has been fantastic and being able to work from anywhere with my laptop or iPad has been a huge plus.

Cons

I do wish there were a feature that lets you password-protect specific cases.

Pros

Everything being stored in one place is something I really appreciate.

Cons

The Communicate feature doesn't always work reliably.

Pros

It has a very user-friendly interface and I can usually get new users comfortable with the program in about an hour. It has made opening new files, as well as maintaining and updating case information, much easier in my day-to-day work. On top of that, Smokeball's customer service has been exceptional.

Cons

when multiple users save documents to client matters, our files can end up with a lot of duplicate records. Matters also get flooded with emails since saving emails is so convenient. I'm also not a fan of many of the document templates because they aren't formatted to my very specific preferences and I just haven't had the time yet to go back to Smokeball with requested changes.

Pros

Great how it works with both Word and Outlook while automatically tracking all the time spent on documents and emails.

Cons

The only downside is that opening or creating documents can be a bit slow at times since it's cloud-based.

Pros

Office integration and the auto-billing tools have been the standout features for me.

Cons

There are occasional tech glitches when new features are rolled out but they usually get resolved very quickly.

Pros

It connects well with email and Word, plus the way it keeps all work on a file stored in one place so anyone on the team can see it.

Cons

Setting up the templates can be a bit challenging.

Pros

Out of everything it offers, the auto-billing feature is the biggest standout for me. The software is efficient and user-friendly and it lets you keep track of everything happening in a case. It has also worked extremely well for both in-person and virtual hearings since everything you need is available almost instantly with just a keystroke. On top of that, their customer service has been truly impeccable.

Cons

The only thing I really wish Smokeball included is a client portal.

Pros

Having a cloud-based program has been a big plus. Setting up matters, tasks and contacts is wonderfully simple and the automation tools add a lot of value as well.

Cons

It doesn't offer a standalone conflict search feature. Instead, you have to run searches separately through contacts, matters, documents, leads and other areas.

Pros

Getting new matters up and running is very simple and moving through the workflows feels natural. It's a very user-friendly system and it probably saves me 2-3 hours of work on every new file by itself.

Cons

The only real downside for me was that setting up the templates took some time at first. That said it was more due to my own learning curve than any issue with the product.

Pros

Being able to work remotely is absolutely vital in today's business environment and Smokeball was already ahead of the trend on that.

Cons

It does take a while to start up although it's not bad enough to be a major issue.

Pros

They really take our ideas and suggestions seriously and actively work on solutions or new features based on them.

Cons

There isn't much to complain about. Opening a file and getting your templates set up can take a while at first but it ends up saving a huge amount of time later on.

Pros

Smooth integration with Microsoft Office is a big advantage and it creates a lot of efficiency in day-to-day work.

Cons

It isn't cloud-based and the Android app doesn't offer the full set of features.

Pros

Having everything bundled in Smokeball is the biggest advantage. Once the information is entered, it lets us email, message, prepare documents and handle both internal and external communication in a very seamless way. The document automation is especially impressive and works outstandingly well.

Cons

There's honestly very little to complain about. My only real wish is that it were compatible with Mac.

Pros

Right from the start, it has felt very user-friendly and the search tool makes it simple to pull up our firm's information whenever we need it. It has been an excellent cloud-based file storage system that's simple to work with and customize. The forms are a major benefit as well and the Leads feature has brought a whole new dimension to how we run our practice. Thank you.

Cons

Honestly there's very little about it that I haven't liked. The few features I wanted were addressed by the team and I was even able to get a new matter type added which will improve our case management in a big way. Their team does a fantastic job of staying open to feature requests and providing support.