PracticeMaster Integration Overview
Last reviewed: 12/29/2011
Article ID: R11316
The information in this article applies to:
- PracticeMaster Version 16 & 15
Summary
This article defines the integration between the PracticeMaster software and
various third-party applications.
Note: This article includes basic
integration information. For complete integration details, refer to the
program's Help or manual.
Types of Integration
There are four types of integration between PracticeMaster and other applications:
- Synchronization (Two-Way)
- Information is sent from one program to another at the time of entry.
For example, fee entries are automatically added to Tabs3 when a fee
transaction is entered in PracticeMaster.
- One-Way
- PracticeMaster can pull information from other systems when performing
actions, such as loading CompuLaw rules when creating a Calendar Plan. Other
systems can also "push" information to PracticeMaster, such as PaperPort
sending files to PracticeMaster to save as Document Management records.
- Toolbar Plug-in
- A button is added to the toolbar menu in the selected program, which
allows records to be created in PracticeMaster based on the file opened in
that program. For example, Adobe PDF files can be added as Journal Records
from within Adobe Reader using the PM Journal button on the Adobe
Toolbar Plug-in.
- Document Assembly
- Information is sent from PracticeMaster to Microsoft Word or, if using
HotDocs, WordPerfect. A document template is loaded, and pre-coded variables
are replaced with the information stored in PracticeMaster. The resulting
document can then optionally be saved back into PracticeMaster as a Document
Management record, and (using ticklers) optionally create fee, cost, and/or
calendar records as well.
Tabs3 Billing Software
Tabs3 Trust Accounting Software
PracticeMaster, Tabs3 and Tabs3 Trust Accounting Software (TAS) mirror data
files, allowing both applications to have the same client, fee and cost records.
These mirrored files are synchronized whenever a record is saved.
PracticeMaster to/from Tabs3/TAS (Synchronization)
Integration between PracticeMaster, Tabs3 and/or TAS occurs as follows:
- When a client is added, changed or deleted in PracticeMaster or Tabs3,
the client is also added, changed or deleted in the other program, since
PracticeMaster and Tabs3 have mirrored data files.
- When a fee or cost transaction is added, changed or deleted in
PracticeMaster or Tabs3, the fee or cost is also added, changed or deleted
in the other program's mirrored data file.
- Client Notes added in Tabs3 are also added to PracticeMaster's Journal
file.
- Converting time, calendar, e-mail, note, research and phone tasks to fee records in PracticeMaster also
creates fee records in Tabs3.
E-mail Programs
PracticeMaster is compatible with any e-mail application,
allowing users to create and forward e-mail based on records within PracticeMaster.
E-mail integration occurs as follows:
- PracticeMaster creates new e-mail messages in your default e-mail
application when selecting to send an e-mail to a contact, or when forwarding or
replying to an E-mail Journal record.
- PracticeMaster automatically sends e-mail messages for
Automatic E-mail Notifications.
- See Microsoft Outlook for information on integrating PracticeMaster with Outlook
for e-mail.
Microsoft Outlook
PracticeMaster integrates with Outlook in three areas: E-mail, Calendaring
and Contacts. E-mail integration using the Toolbar Plug-in allows users to read
and save Outlook e-mail
records in PracticeMaster. Calendar and Contact integration
allow users to synchronize their Outlook contact list and calendar with PracticeMaster's records. Additionally, Outlook also synchronizes with a wide
range of other applications, allowing PracticeMaster users to synchronize data
with those programs and devices using Outlook as an intermediary.
E-mail Integration
E-mail integration is described in the previous section.
Toolbar Plug-in
Integration between PracticeMaster and Microsoft Outlook occurs as follows:
- A set of toolbar buttons are added to Outlook.
- The PM Journal button creates a linked PracticeMaster Journal
record based on the current e-mail.
- The PM Calendar button creates a linked PracticeMaster calendar
record based on the current e-mail.
- The PM Fee button creates a linked PracticeMaster Fee record
based on the current e-mail.
Calendar/Contact Integration
Integration between PracticeMaster and Outlook occurs as follows:
- PracticeMaster automatically adds, changes or deletes Calendar and
Related Party records in Outlook's Calendar and Contacts.
- Added, changed or deleted Calendar and
Contact records in Outlook can be synchronized back to PracticeMaster
on-demand when using Two-Way Integration.
For Integration with Other Programs and Devices
Outlook integrates with many applications (and devices) other than PracticeMaster. Using
Outlook as an intermediary, PracticeMaster calendar and contact records can be distributed
and/or synchronized with those other systems. Integration occurs as follows:
- Calendar, Contact and/or E-mail is integrated between PracticeMaster and
Outlook, as above.
- Multiple Outlook users can synchronize their Calendar records using
Microsoft Exchange.
- Outlook Contacts are synchronized with BlackBerry Contacts, Outlook
Calendar items are synchronized with the BlackBerry Calendar, and E-mail in
Outlook is updated in BlackBerry Messages.
- Outlook E-mail, Contacts, Calendar and Tasks are synchronized with
Outlook Mobile on a Windows Mobile device (such as the Treo or Motorola Q).
- Outlook Contacts, Calendar and Tasks are synchronized with Contacts and
Calendar on an iPhone.
- Outlook Contacts are imported by labeling/mailing software for addressing.
- Outlook Calendar can subscribe to Internet calendars (and synchronize
those entries back to PracticeMaster).
- etc.
Microsoft Outlook supports many points of integration; to learn more about
Outlook synchronization with your device, refer to your device documentation or
the Microsoft online support articles.
For additional information regarding Microsoft Outlook software, you can contact
Microsoft at
800-642-7676 or at
http://www.microsoft.com/office/outlook.
Microsoft Word
PracticeMaster can create templates and assemble documents within Microsoft
Word. Additionally, PracticeMaster can add a toolbar to Word to create records in PracticeMaster based on
Word files.
Document Assembly
Integration between PracticeMaster and Word occurs as follows:
- When using Document Assembly, Word pulls information from
PracticeMaster records to replace variables in the document templates.
- A set of toolbar buttons are added to Word. These toolbar buttons are
only shown when creating or editing a document template (*.DOT, *.DOTX or *.DOTM).
- Buttons allow access to PracticeMaster data fields, which insert
variables into document templates.
- Ticklers can optionally be included in document templates, which create Fee,
Expense, Calendar and/or Document Management records in PracticeMaster.
Toolbar Plug-in
Integration between PracticeMaster and Word occurs as follows:
- A set of toolbar buttons are added to Word.
- The PM Open button opens the List tab of the PracticeMaster Document
Management file. Selecting a record will open the associated Word
document.
- The PM Save button creates a PracticeMaster Document Management
record for the current open Word document.
- The PM Journal button creates a PracticeMaster Journal record
based on the current Word document.
- The PM Calendar button creates a PracticeMaster calendar record
based on the current Word document.
- The PM Fee button creates a PracticeMaster Fee record based on the
current Word document.
For additional information regarding Microsoft Word software, you can contact
Microsoft at
800-642-7676 or at
http://www.microsoft.com/office/word.
Microsoft Excel
Tabs3 and PracticeMaster can create Excel files from most printable records and
reports, or can copy and paste records from any List into an Excel spreadsheet. Additionally, PracticeMaster can add a toolbar to
Excel to create records in PracticeMaster based on Excel files.
Output to Excel/Copy from List
The Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Software features work as follows:
- When generating a Report, selecting a print
output of File allows an Excel file to be created. Selecting the Open File
after Save option will open the resulting file in Excel.
- From any list, select a range of records. Copy the list to the Windows
clipboard, and then paste them into Excel to create a stylized spreadsheet. The
spreadsheet retains the styles of the list from which the data was copied, including
background color, rich text formatting, and column headers.
Toolbar Plug-in
Integration between PracticeMaster and Excel occurs as follows:
- A set of toolbar buttons are added to Excel.
- The PM Open button opens the List tab of the PracticeMaster Document
Management file. Selecting a record will open the associated Excel
spreadsheet.
- The PM Save button creates a PracticeMaster Document Management
record for the current open Excel spreadsheet.
- The PM Journal button creates a PracticeMaster Journal record
based on the current Excel spreadsheet.
- The PM Calendar button creates a PracticeMaster calendar record
based on the current Excel spreadsheet.
- The PM Fee button creates a PracticeMaster Fee record based on
the current Excel spreadsheet.
For additional information regarding Excel software, you can contact
Microsoft at
800-642-7676 or at
http://www.microsoft.com/office/excel.
Internet Explorer
PracticeMaster can add a toolbar to Microsoft Internet Explorer to help
create Research Journal records based on Web sites visited.
Toolbar Plug-in
Integration between PracticeMaster and Internet Explorer occurs as follows:
- A set of toolbar buttons are added to Internet Explorer.
- The Create PracticeMaster Journal Record button creates a
PracticeMaster Research Journal record based on the current Web page.
- The Save Web Page as a File button saves the current Web page. This
allows you to reference the information offline, or if the Web page is changed
later. A link to this file is added to the PracticeMaster Journal record.
- The Paste Text to Journal Record button adds the currently
selected text on the Web page to the Description field of the
PracticeMaster Journal record.
- The Update Journal Record URL button changes the Research URL
field of the PracticeMaster Journal record to the current Web page.
For additional information regarding Internet Explorer software, you can contact
Microsoft at
800-642-7676 or at
http://www.microsoft.com/ie.
Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Reader
Tabs3 and PracticeMaster can create PDF files from most printable records and
reports. Additionally, PracticeMaster can add a toolbar to Adobe Acrobat and/or
Adobe Reader to create records in PracticeMaster based on PDF files.
Output to PDF/DropBox
The Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Software features work as follows:
- When generating a Report (or Statement, in Tabs3), selecting a print
output of File allows a PDF file to be created. Selecting the Open File
after Save option will open the resulting PDF file in the default viewer for
PDF files.
- When generating a Report (or Statement, in Tabs3), selecting a print output
of DropBox creates a PDF file in a temporary location. This file can be
renamed, edited, or saved to another location using the DropBox program.
Toolbar Plug-in
Integration between PracticeMaster and Adobe Acrobat and/or Adobe Reader occurs as follows:
- A set of toolbar buttons are added to Adobe Acrobat and/or Adobe Reader.
- The PM Open button opens the List tab of the PracticeMaster Document Management
file. Selecting a record will open the associated PDF file.
- The PM Save button creates a PracticeMaster Document Management
record for the current open PDF file.
- The PM Journal button creates a PracticeMaster Journal record based
on the current PDF file.
- The PM Calendar button creates a PracticeMaster calendar record
based on the current PDF file.
- The PM Fee button creates a PracticeMaster Fee record based on
the current PDF file.
For additional information regarding Adobe software, you can contact Adobe at
800-585-0774 or at
http://www.adobe.com.
WORLDOX
PracticeMaster can integrate with Worldox document management software,
allowing users to search documents in Worldox for Conflict of Interest and see
documents for specific clients.
Document Management
Integration between the systems occurs as follows:
- Additions or changes to clients in PracticeMaster are written to Worldox profiles.
- PracticeMaster's Conflict of Interest can search Worldox documents.
- A list of Worldox documents for a client can be displayed in PracticeMaster.
- A Worldox Search can be performed in PracticeMaster to search all
Worldox document profiles and indexed documents.
For additional information regarding Worldox, you can contact World Software
Corporation at 800-962-6360 or at
http://www.worldox.com.
PaperPort
PracticeMaster can create Document Management records based on documents
scanned using PaperPort.
Save to Document Management
Integration between PracticeMaster and Nuance PaperPort occurs as follows:
- Scanning a document and dragging it to the PracticeMaster icon creates a
Document Management record in PracticeMaster.
For additional information regarding PaperPort software, you can contact Nuance at
800-654-1187 or at
http://www.nuance.com.
HotDocs
PracticeMaster can assemble documents using templates created in HotDocs
document assembly software.
Document Assembly
Integration between PracticeMaster and HotDocs occurs as follows:
- When using Document Assembly, HotDocs pulls information from
PracticeMaster records to replace variables in the document templates.
- Ticklers can optionally be included when assembling document templates, which create Fee,
Expense, Calendar and/or Document Management records in PracticeMaster.
When Using the HotDocs Library Interface:
- A PracticeMaster menu is added to HotDocs.
- Menu selections/buttons allow access to PracticeMaster variable mapping
and answer file settings.
For additional information regarding HotDocs software, you can contact LexisNexis at
800-500-3627 or at
http://www.hotdocs.com.
CompuLaw
PracticeMaster can create calendar tasks based on the comprehensive CompuLaw
Rules engine. CompuLaw Rules are available for jurisdictions in all 50 states
and various practice areas, and are updated throughout the year.
CompuLaw Date Maintenance
Integration between PracticeMaster and CompuLaw occurs as follows:
- The Generate CompuLaw Dates program in PracticeMaster creates Calendar
Plans based on CompuLaw Rule Sets.
- The CompuLaw Date Maintenance program in PracticeMaster changes existing
Calendar Plans based on new CompuLaw Rule Sets.
Version Note: PracticeMaster Versions 15.2 and earlier were compatible
with the Btrieve-based CompuLaw Rules Engine Version 9. Beginning with Version
15.3, PracticeMaster is only compatible with the SQL-based CompuLaw Rules Engine
Version 10. This change was made to comply with a required update for CompuLaw.
For additional information about this change, please see KB Article R11303, "PracticeMaster
Version 15.3 Conversion Information for CompuLaw".
For additional information regarding CompuLaw software, you can contact CompuLaw at
800-444-0215 (inside California, at 310-553-3355) or at
http://www.compulaw.com.
QuickBooks
PracticeMaster can synchronize with QuickBooks accounting software using
either IIF or QBXML integration. Using IIF, costs in PracticeMaster can be
imported into QuickBooks using a batch import file. Using QBXML, fees, costs and
clients in PracticeMaster are automatically synchronized to QuickBooks, and
changes in QuickBooks can be merged into PracticeMaster.
Accounting Synchronization
Integration between PracticeMaster and QuickBooks occurs as follows:
Using IIF Integration:
- Costs added to the PracticeMaster Cost file post Journal entries to a
QuickBooks import file. This file can then be used to import Journal entries in a
batch to QuickBooks.
Using QBXML Integration:
- Costs added to the PracticeMaster Cost file synchronize to QuickBooks
Bills.
- Fees added to the PracticeMaster Fee file synchronize to QuickBooks Time
Tracking (requires PracticeMaster to be installed without Tabs3).
- Clients in PracticeMaster synchronize to QuickBooks Customers/Jobs.
- Adding to Customers/Jobs, Bills or Checks in QuickBooks can be merged into PracticeMaster.
For additional information regarding QuickBooks software, you can contact Intuit at
877-683-3280 or at
http://www.quickbooks.com.
Palm OS Handheld Device
PracticeMaster can synchronize information directly to a Palm OS handheld
using Palm Conduits. If using Outlook, the Palm OS handheld can also synchronize
information using Outlook as an integration link for
PracticeMaster data (Note: Palm can only integrate with one program conduits,
either Outlook or PracticeMaster. If you need to link to more than one
application, use Outlook integration to synchronize contacts on the Palm device).
Palm Conduits
Integration between PracticeMaster and the Palm OS handheld occurs as follows:
- Events added to the PracticeMaster Calendar synchronize to the Palm
Calendar/Date Book.
- Tasks added to the PracticeMaster Calendar synchronize to the Palm Tasks/To
Do List.
- Related Parties in PracticeMaster synchronize to the Palm
Contacts/Address Book.
- Clients in PracticeMaster synchronize to the Palm Contacts/Address Book.
For additional information regarding Palm devices, you can contact Palm Inc at
800-881-7256 or at http://www.palm.com.
References
- KB Article R11143 - Integration Overview of Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Software
- KB Article R11276 - Third Party Integration
Requirements
- KB Article R11130 - PracticeMaster Quick Guides
Outlook Information
- KB Article R11313 - Resources for Integrating
PracticeMaster with Outlook
- KB Article R10734 - Troubleshooting Outlook Calendar & Contact
Integration Issues
- KB Article R10924 - PracticeMaster & Microsoft Outlook Calendar & Contact
Integration FAQ
- KB Article R11044 - Integration Between PracticeMaster, Outlook, & Handheld
Devices
- KB Article R11112 - Integration Between PracticeMaster and BlackBerry through Outlook
- KB Article R11114 - Integration Between PracticeMaster and Windows Mobile Handhelds
through Outlook
Word Information
- KB Article R10650 - How to Troubleshoot Word
Document Assembly Errors
- KB Article R11015 - How To Start a New Word
Document Template
Excel Information
- KB Article R11076 - Importing Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Data into
Microsoft Excel
- KB Article R11280 - All About Outputting Tabs3 and PracticeMaster
Data to Excel
Internet Explorer Information
- KB Article R10979 - How to Check Which Version of Internet Explorer is Installed
- KB Article R11251 - How Internet Explorer 8 & 7 Affect Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Software
Adobe PDF Information
- KB Article R10468 - Creating PDF Files in Tabs3
and PracticeMaster Software
- KB Article R10704 - Working with PDF Files
- KB Article R10992 - DropBox Error Messages and
Frequently Asked Questions
Worldox Information
- KB Article R10656 - Worldox Troubleshooting
- KB Article R10715 - PracticeMaster Integration with
Worldox
- KB Article R11047 - Screenshots for Integrating PracticeMaster
with Worldox
HotDocs Information
- KB Article R10681 - Troubleshooting HotDocs
- KB Article R11061 - Converting HotDocs 5 to Later HotDocs Versions for
PracticeMaster Integration
CompuLaw Information
- KB Article R10890 - CompuLaw Installation
Instructions
- KB Article R11317 - Troubleshooting CompuLaw
Integration
QuickBooks Information
- KB Article R10866 - Overview of QuickBooks
Integration
- KB Article R10872 - QuickBooks FAQ
- KB Article R10908 - Configuring QuickBooks IIF
Integration
- KB Article R10911 - Configuring QuickBooks QBXML
Integration
- KB Article R10945 - QuickBooks IIF vs. QBXML
Integration & Field Mapping
Palm Information
- KB Article R10663 - Integrating PracticeMaster
and Tabs3 with Palm Handhelds
- KB Article R10787 - Troubleshooting Palm Conduit
Synchronization
- KB Article R10995 - Selecting the Best Palm
Conduit HotSync Action
- KB Article R11044 - Integration Between
PracticeMaster, Outlook, & Handheld Devices
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