Smarter Working Through Technology

Carton & Co enables law firms to choose and deliver the right technology to support smarter working through effective technology selection and implementation.  We cover the full spectrum of systems, platforms and applications, supporting the full journey: strategy, requirements, supplier selection, integration, rollout and adoption - so your investment delivers in day-to-day practice.

Core areas: Practice and Case Management Systems (PMS, CMS), Document Management (DMS), Client Relationship Management (CRM), Business Intelligence and Reporting, Microsoft 365, Cloud infrastructure, AI applications, Automation, Security & Compliance.

Drawing on extensive experience advising law firms on technology strategy, we guide managing partners and senior teams through selection, integration, and implementation - transforming technology investments into measurable business outcomes that deliver what clients value while improving profitability and lawyer satisfaction.

What is Smarter Working?



Technology should enable your firm to work smarter - delivering more of what clients value while improving profitability and lawyer satisfaction. This requires systematic integration across your integrated technology environment, not piecemeal solutions.

• For Clients: Faster turnaround, more responsive communication, better value perception, innovative service delivery

• For Your Firm: Higher profitability through productivity, better resource allocation, reduced operational friction, sustainable competitive advantage

• For Your People: Time freed from routine tasks for higher-value work, better tools for complex legal work, reduced administrative burden, more satisfying practice

Your Integrated Technology Environment

We help you navigate and optimise across all components:

Core Practice Systems

• Practice Management (PMS) & Case Management (CMS) - Matter management, time recording, billing, workflow
• Document Management (DMS) - Secure repositories integrated with practice systems
• Client Relationship Management (CRM) - Opportunity tracking, relationship mapping, business development

Infrastructure & Intelligence

• Cloud Strategy & Microsoft 365 - Migration planning, security, licensing optimization
• Business Intelligence - Dashboards, analytics, performance metrics for strategic decisions

Intelligent Automation & AI

• Microsoft Copilot - Integrated AI for document drafting, research, email, meetings
• Specialised Legal AI - Contract review, legal research, document analysis
• Process Automation - Workflow automation, document assembly, routine task reduction

Security & Compliance

• Cyber Essentials Certification - Required by clients, insurers, government work
• Data Protection - GDPR compliance, secure hosting, access controls

Our Structured Approach

Based on 30+ years guiding law firms through technology decisions:

✅ Evaluate Current State - Assess whether current systems can be optimised before replacing.  Identify what works well alongside gaps

✅ Define Objectives & Priorities - No perfect solution exists; identify and prioritize requirements, engage your team early

✅ Explore Full Spectrum - Consider AI and automation within context of broader ecosystem; don't let hype distract from fundamentals

✅ Structured Selection - Request responses from suppliers, focused demos, select based on fit not features, expand specifications collaboratively

✅ Implementation & Adoption - Technology succeeds based on adoption; we provide planning, workflow design, training, ongoing optimization

How We Work With You

Our specialist legal technology consultants offer completely flexible support tailored to your firm's resources, internal expertise, and preferences. We work alongside your team, doing as much or as little as you need.

Flexible Engagement Options

We adapt to your situation:

• Full support - We handle everything from specifications to supplier negotiations

• Strategic guidance - You lead internally, we advise and review at key decision points

• Targeted assistance - We help with specific stages where you need specialist expertise

• Fractional IT Director - Ongoing technology leadership and strategic oversight

• Working alongside your team - We complement your internal knowledge and capacity

The level of support depends on your internal resources, technology experience, and time available. Some firms have strong IT teams who need validation and challenge; others need comprehensive support from initial assessment through to go-live.

Specific Services We Provide

As much or as little as you need:

• Specifications and briefings - We can draft complete requirement documents, provide templates for you to populate, or review documents you've prepared

• Supplier engagement - We can manage all supplier communications, set up demonstrations with prepared agendas, or simply attend your meetings to challenge and probe

• Demonstrations and evaluation - We can lead demos with your prepared questions, attend and take notes, or provide evaluation frameworks for your team to use

• Contract negotiation - Full negotiation support or review of terms you've already discussed

• Implementation planning - Comprehensive project plans or templates and frameworks for your team

• Workflow and process design - Complete redesign or specific recommendations

• Project management - Full project leadership or periodic review and oversight

Engagement Models

We offer fixed prices for defined stages where feasible, day rates for flexible ongoing support, or monthly retainers for Fractional IT Director services. Many firms start with strategic guidance and increase support for implementation, or engage us on an ongoing basis for technology leadership

Read our detailed guide: Upgrading Technology in Law Firms: A Concise Guide

The key is that you remain in control while we provide the specialist legal technology expertise that complements your team's capabilities.

Technology Decisions Informed by Client Intelligence

The most successful technology strategies are informed by systematic client listening. Technology investments should align with what clients actually value—not just internal efficiency goals. Our client listening services help ensure technology investments deliver competitive advantage by aligning with client needs and expectations.

The Carton & Co Team

Allan Carton is a qualified solicitor with an MBA from Alliance Manchester Business School. Since 1990, Allan has specialised in advising UK law firms on technology adoption, client relationships, and business development, understanding both legal practice and business strategy.

Frank Manning   is a technology specialist for professional practices, providing technical implementation expertise. Frank advises on technology selection, integration with existing systems, data security protocols, and technical governance requirements.

Dr Lee Williams brings expertise in process improvement and change management, helping firms navigate the organizational and cultural shifts required for successful technology adoption.

Together, we provide the strategic, operational, and technical expertise needed for successful technology adoption—from strategy design through to firm-wide implementation.

Getting Started

If your firm needs expert guidance on technology strategy, selection, or implementation, Carton & Co can help you develop an approach that enables confident deployment and measurable business outcomes.

Book a call with Carton & Co here >>

Allan Carton

Email: acarton@cartonconsultants.com

Phone: 07779 653105

LinkedIn

Carton & Co - Specialist consultants to UK law firms on technology adoption, client relationships, and business development.

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**Frequently Asked Questions **

Q: How do we know if we need new technology or just better use of current systems?

A: Start with an honest assessment of current usage. Often, firms aren't using 60-70% of capabilities in existing systems. We begin every engagement by evaluating whether optimization can solve your problems before recommending replacement. If current systems fundamentally can't support your practice needs or business model, replacement makes sense. If they're just poorly configured or underutilized, optimization delivers faster ROI.

Q: What's the typical timeline for technology upgrades?

A: Timelines vary significantly based on scope. PMS/CMS selection typically takes 3-4 months from initial assessment to supplier selection, then 6-18 months for implementation depending on firm size and complexity. Cloud migration can take 2-6 months. AI tool deployment might be 1-3 months. We help you sequence initiatives to spread investment and deliver early wins.

Q: How do we balance AI adoption with core system improvements?

A: Don't let AI hype distract from fundamentals. If your core PMS, DMS, or CRM systems are inadequate, fix those first—AI won't compensate for poor foundations. However, modern AI capabilities (e.g. Microsoft Copilot) can be deployed quickly within existing Microsoft 365 environments without major infrastructure changes. The key is viewing AI as one component of comprehensive technology strategy, not a separate initiative.

Q: Should we move to the cloud?

A: For most law firms, cloud hosting delivers better security, reliability, and cost-effectiveness than on-premise infrastructure - especially for firms under 100 people. Cloud enables flexible working, automatic updates, and enterprise-grade security many firms couldn't afford independently. Key considerations are data residency (UK hosting for UK firms), supplier reliability, and ensuring proper security configuration. We help you evaluate cloud vs. on-premise based on your specific requirements and risk tolerance.

Q: How do we ensure successful adoption and avoid implementation failures?

A: Successful adoption requires: (1) Early engagement of lawyers and staff in selection—they need to own the decision, (2) Clear communication about why change is happening and what's in it for them, (3) Comprehensive training tailored to different roles, (4) Champions within teams to support peers, (5) Realistic timelines that don't overwhelm people, (6) Ongoing support beyond initial go-live. Technology projects fail when firms focus only on technology and ignore the people side.

Q: What's the role of client feedback in technology decisions?

A: Client feedback should inform technology priorities, especially for client-facing systems. Ask clients about their experience with your current technology, communication preferences, document sharing needs, and service delivery expectations. Test proposed innovations with key clients before firm-wide rollout. Use client feedback to prioritize features and capabilities. Technology that improves internal efficiency but degrades client experience delivers negative ROI.

Q: How do smaller firms (under 50 lawyers) approach technology strategy?

A: Smaller firms often move faster and achieve better adoption than larger firms due to less complexity. Focus on: (1) Cloud-based systems with predictable monthly costs, (2) Integrated suites rather than multiple point solutions, (3) Systems designed for SME law firms, not enterprise scaled down, (4) Suppliers with strong support for smaller firms. You don't need enterprise-grade everything—focus investment on technology that differentiates your client service or improves profitability.

Q: What technology differentiates successful firms from competitors?

A: It's rarely about having the latest technology—it's about using technology strategically to deliver what clients value. Successful firms: (1) Have core systems (PMS, DMS, CRM) that work reliably and are actually used, (2) Use technology to improve client communication and responsiveness, (3) Apply automation to reduce costs on routine work, allowing competitive pricing, (4) Leverage data and BI to make better business decisions, (5) Train teams to use technology effectively, not just provide access. Technology is an enabler, not a differentiator by itself.