During our event in Vienna in March, I briefly talked about building a connected eco-system around your DMS – iManage. Even the most advanced platform like iManage, can only do so much on their own. They’re powerful and a critical piece of the puzzle, yes – but they’re not designed to live in a bubble.
You’re probably already using iManage Work to manage documents. Maybe you’ve got time tracking in another tool. Your approvals might happen somewhere else. Security policies? Yet another place. Sound familiar?
What if all those tools could just… work together? No more jumping between systems. No more copying the same info into five different places. Just smooth, connected workflows that save you time, reduce frustration, and help you focus on actual legal work – not admin.
That’s what we mean when we talk about a connected ecosystem.
What is a Connected Ecosystem?
Think of it like this: instead of a bunch of separate tools doing their own thing, they’re all part of the same team. Talking to each other. Sharing info. Taking care of tasks automatically.
And the best part? You don’t have to change how you work. You keep using familiar tools like Word, Outlook, or your DMS – only now, everything’s connected behind the scenes.
Now what makes it connected?
- Integration: Tools like iManage, TIQ Time, Co-Flo, and IRIS Advanced Office Integration are linked, so information flows automatically between them.
- Automation: Actions in one system trigger processes in another—like capturing time when you edit a document, or automating document approvals and filing.
- Consistency: Users work within familiar interfaces (like Outlook or Word), but their activities are automatically connected to backend systems.
- Security and Compliance: Policies and controls are enforced across all platforms, ensuring consistent security and governance.
Working better together is key because less manual work and duplication of effort improves efficiency and productivity. When people spend less time switching between systems and more time getting work done, it also improves a better user experience.
Tools like iManage, Insight+, Security Policy Manager, TIQ Time, Co-Flo, and our Advanced Office Integration become even more powerful when they’re working as a team.
Why iManage is the Heart of the Ecosystem
Let’s face it – legal work runs on documents, emails, knowledge, and data. And if you’ve ever tried managing all that without the right system in place, you know how quickly things can get messy.
That’s where iManage comes in. Whether you’re using it to manage your files and emails, set up secure access policies, detect threats before they become problems, or surface insights with AI – it’s the gold standard for secure knowledge work.
Let’s be real – legal work is complex, fast-paced, and full of moving parts. You don’t just need a place to store documents; you need a system that helps you work smarter, stay compliant, and collaborate with ease. That’s exactly what iManage was built for.
Imagine this: it’s Monday morning, your inbox is full, and your to-do list is longer than your coffee break. You’ve got contracts to review, emails flying in, and you’re trying to find that one clause someone used six months ago.
This is where iManage comes in. It’s more than a place to store files – it’s the quiet, reliable engine behind your legal work. It keeps your documents and emails organized, secure, and easy to find. It doesn’t slow you down – it fits right into how you already work.
Thousands of legal teams across the world already trust iManage. Because it’s built for professionals like you – who just want to get great work done without the hassle.
Completing the Picture
So now we know – iManage is the backbone of your legal operations. It keeps your documents safe, your emails organized, and your team moving. But let’s go a step further. Because in today’s legal environment, just having strong tools isn’t enough.
You need them to work together. Seamlessly. Intelligently. Naturally.
There’s no shortage of legal tech out there. Time trackers. Workflow engines. AI-powered assistants. Email add-ins. Security layers. You name it, it exists.
And that’s great – because your needs are complex, and having options matters.
At IRIS, we help you cut through the noise. And while there’s a whole marketplace of apps and features out there, we believe that three key tools deserve the spotlight.
Let’s face it – manually tracking your time is nobody’s favorite task. With TIQ Time, it’s automated. The moment you open a document, write an email, or join a call, your activity is recorded in the background. It integrates directly with iManage, so you can bill accurately and recover time without breaking your focus. Less admin. More billable hours.
How much work is coming in? Who’s doing it? Where are the delays? What’s at risk?
With Co-Flo, you don’t have to guess. This powerful platform transforms iManage into your central hub for managing work – whether it’s cases, matters, contracts, or internal requests. It gives you full visibility into what’s happening across your business and helps you deliver faster, better service to your clients or internal teams.
- See who’s working on what, and balance workloads based on capacity and expertise
- Track work stages to stay on top of deadlines
- Spot bottlenecks early and take action
- Identify risks before they turn into problems
Co-Flo puts you in control—with one intuitive dashboard that shows you where things stand and what needs attention. Your teams get more done, with fewer surprises.
Your team lives in Outlook and Word—that’s where the work gets done. So why not make those tools even smarter with IRIS Advanced Office Integration?
Need to save a document? Just click. AOI instantly suggests the right workspace and folder, no digging, no doubt. Metadata flows in and out of iManage effortlessly, making filing and tagging feel like second nature.
It quietly removes the little roadblocks – those extra clicks and manual steps that eat away at your day—so your team can move faster, stay focused, and get more done with less effort.
For example: It’s Monday morning. You open a document, start editing – and TIQ Time begins tracking your activity automatically. No timers, no notes – just accurate time capture synced with iManage.
You hit save, and IRIS Advanced Office Integration instantly suggests the right workspace – no digging, no mistakes. The document’s filed, metadata applied, and updated – done in one click.
Later, you open the Co-Flo dashboard to check your team progress. You see who’s working on what, spot a delay, and reassign tasks in seconds. No emails. No chaos. Just visibility and control. Your team stays on track. Your time is fully captured.
And you focused on legal work – not admin.
In Conclusion
Too often we see that tasks live in disconnected systems that don’t talk to each other. We can help you connect the dots. That’s why we don’t just implement tools – we build smart, connected ecosystems tailored to the way your firm actually works. We take the strength of iManage and extend it with several key solutions that work together to automate, simplify, and streamline your operations.
Start with evaluating your current setup. Understand which systems you’re using, where the gaps are, and where manual processes slow you down. Identify workflows that would benefit from automation and integration, such as document review, client onboarding, or time recording.
Don’t settle for standalone systems that slow you down. Let us help you build a connected ecosystem that empowers your teams and drives results.
Contact us today to start your journey towards a smarter legal workspace.
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