The Cuba release has landed

With its next-generation user interface, combined with all the existing functionality of our leading technology, LawMaster's Cuba release is fresh and contemporary with a familiar LawMaster touch.

So what makes Cuba so great? For starters, a completely updated user interface offers even greater intuitiveness. A ribbon-based menu makes navigation simpler than ever before with a single click bringing you to where you need to be. A new Omni Search function makes searching across modules and programs easier and delivers a faster and more consolidated search experience.

Click here to download the Cuba User Interface Guide

Click here to download the Cuba Quick Reference Guide

To indicate your firm's intention to upgrade to Cuba, please register an Expression of Interest.

Don't go anywhere, watch the following video for an overview of LawMaster's new look user interface.

 

 

A new look user interface

The LawMaster User Interface has been upgraded to provide a fresh, more modern look and feel. The redesign of the toolbars to the familiar ribbon layout as seen in Microsoft's Office products ensures users can access functionality quickly and efficiently. Ribbons menus increase the discoverability of features and functions, enable quicker learning of LawMaster and help users feel more in control of their user experience.

The main menu is neatly tucked away on the left-hand side of the screen under the immediately recognisable 'Hamburger' menu. The menu options become visible with a simple click to expand, however, it is recommended to keep the Hamburger menu collapsed when not in use so users can utilise more of their screen real estate.

The Lawyers Workbench has received a similar facelift with the matter menu under its own 'Hamburger' menu. The matter menu lists its options with a new suite of modern and 'easy to identify' icons, ultimately providing users with more screen space. The matter summary section is pinned to the right-hand side of the matter and includes Quick Access links to BringUps, Electronic Records and Alerts.

New Zoom controls have been added to the Management Workbench, so users can change the size of the text in file notes using the Zoom magnification icons.  

The collapse and expansion of the Time Details, Disbursement Details and Action Event sections minimise distraction if these features are not so commonly used.

Users can customise their layout options by grouping open tabs together in either a Horizontal or Vertical window display. Ideal for multi-taskers who like to work across multiple windows, and navigate faster through features and matters.

LawMaster's fresh new interface and easy navigation reduce the time users spend searching through menus, improving user satisfaction as they work in a fast and more efficient way.

 

Introducing Omni Search, the New Knowledge Management

A new Omni Search tool has been introduced to perform quick searches across all programs and functions of LawMaster. Search for matters, folios, contacts or any LawMaster program. The results return the top 5 results for each group with an option to view all results per category. Prefix a search to specify the preferred type of search for example using m - will ensure the search is performed only on matters, whereas f- will only search on folios. Entering a Matter’s number will directly open the Matter.

The new Omni Search is a powerful search tool enabling users to locate information fast, with accuracy and ease.

 

Workflow Performance

Significant improvement has been made to Workflow and document template performance to help users produce documents and complete tasks more efficiently and accurately.

Performance has improved by as much as 20 to 25% depending on configuration and environment. 

 

Integrated Single Sign-On via Azure Active Directory Authentication

Single Sign-On (SSO) can be accomplished through the use of Azure Active Directory authentication. This enhancement enables the ability to activate Multi-Factor Authentication and reduces security risks associated with staff working remotely.

 

Single Touch Payroll Phase 2

The following enhancements have been implemented in Cuba as part of our phased approach to the Single Touch Payroll Phase 2 rollout.

  • Recording of Termination Details
  • Recording of an Employment Basis Code
The remaining enhancements for STP Phase 2 will be made available in Cuba R2

 

Other Enhancements for your Firm

Cuba contains other improvements that will benefit your firm, including:

  • 64 bit Office integration is now supported
  • A New module to remove spaces from entity name fields has been added. This module removes leading and trailing spaces from Entity First Name and Surname.
  • The End of Day process now includes the Payroll Integrity Module
  • WP Form PPA Payroll Advice has been updated to Open XML Standard for enhanced merging performance.
  • Outlook msg files will now check-in automatically where the Auto Check-in parameter is enabled.

 

Performance and Reliability Enhancements

The Cuba Release includes some of the following performance improvements and fixes: 

  • Improved the integration between LawMaster and Outlook
  • A Timeout has been added to the Records Management parameter for Convert to PDF via Export function
  • Folio validation has been included on the Cabinet items 'add' function to ensure the folio record exists at the time of adding.
  • Web Browser control has been upgraded to Microsoft Edge WebView2.

 

Preparing for the Cuba Release

To help you plan your upgrade to Cuba, we would like to share some essential information with you.

Supported upgrade paths for Cuba Onwards

  • If you are running Canada R2, Portugal or Portugal R2, you can upgrade directly from your current version to Cuba.

If you are running a version earlier than Canada R2:

  • You must first upgrade through each public release to get to Canada R2.
    For example, for releases prior to Canada R2, if publicly released versions A, B, and C are available, you cannot upgrade directly from A to C. You need to upgrade from A to B, and then from B to C.
  • After stepping through each upgrade to Canada R2, you can then upgrade directly to Cuba.

Advanced Searching

If upgrading from any version prior to Portugal, you must upgrade the Elasticsearch to Version 7.7.1. This is a manual upgrade process details of which are outlined in the Advanced Searching White Paper available from the Client Service Centre > Releases.

Hosted Clients

For clients hosted by LawMaster, please start to liaise with your Service Delivery Manager to coordinate your upgrade. It is important that all Hosted Clients ensure that their Desktop (Client-Side) environment meets the Cuba release requirements.

On-Premise Clients

For clients hosting on-premise, you’ll need to check if your IT Infrastructure and Desktops (Client-Side) meet the requirements for the Cuba Release.

*LawMaster versions from 10.14. onward must install .NET 4.8 or later on the server and .NET 4.8 (runtime) or later on the client systems.

 

Ready to Upgrade to Cuba?

We’re here to help. More information on the Cuba Release, including Software Downloads, Release Notes, the Quick Reference Guide and Cuba User Interface Guide, can be found in the Client Service Centre which is accessible from LawMaster, or through the Knowledge Base. 

Click Here to register an Expression of Interest and begin your upgrade to Cuba.