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April 2023
The Combined Strength of Actionstep Accounting with QuickBooks Online to Drive Visibility & Efficiency
We have improved our integration with QuickBooks Online (QBO) to supplement Actionstep’s billing and trust accounting with the robust functionality of QBOs cloud-based accounting platform.
QBO users will see significant improvements in how Actionstep and QuickBooks Online integrate in terms of functionality, data population, and automation. They'll also get better visibility of case/matter details and activity across the legal and billing process. In addition, Actionstep’s robust rules-based trust accounting system allows the user's firm to manage funds easily and in compliance with local regulations.
You can read more details about the update to Actionstep’s integration with QuickBooks here.
This improvement will be available for an admin to enable under the feature preview section of Actionstep’s admin.
Customize the colors on the Actionstep Payments’ payment page
An admin can use a new setting on the Actionstep Payments general setting to set the color that will be applied to the payment buttons on their payment screen. With this change, you can ensure that the colors on the payment page that your clients see match your own brand.
User Interface (UI) Refresh
We’ve taken some exciting steps to refresh the look and feel of Actionstep that will be available to all users of Actionstep on April 10th.
The user home, navigation, time entry creation, timer and other screens have been updated with a more modern, clean theme. No need to worry however, nothing has moved! The core functionality is still the same, but hopefully, our new look will make things easier to find.
March 2023
Retainers panel available for Actionstep Payments users
Actionstep users who are taking advantage of our new payments solution will now be able to access retainer details faster through a new panel appearing on the mater overview page.
The panel will allow staff to see the matters retainer balance and any amounts that are owing for a retainer, regardless of if that is a trust or general retainer for the matter. The user can also use the panel to be able to access retainer settings faster and to be able to process an in office payment for a retainer straight from the matter home page.
February 2023
Making it faster for clients to pay through Actionstep Payments
With this improvement, we are making some of the fields optional when processing a credit card payment through Actionstep Payments. The firm can still capture these client details but if a client wishes to skip supplying these details they can.
January 2023
Actionstep Payments on the Admin page
Actionstep Admins will notice a new option available on the admin screen for Actionstep Payments. For users who do not use Actionstep Payments currently, the new option will explain about the features of Actionstep Payments and allow you to start using the upgrade that has seen law firms cut down on the manual work of recording payments while increasing their cashflow.
Once enabled, the same admin menu option will direct users to the settings for Actionstep Payments.
New Custom Matter List View Column Option
To accurately track time and progress on a matter, we added a new custom matter list view option which will allow time on a step to be shown and filtered by days, hours, and minutes.
This new column option will allow you to see if a matter has been on a step for too long, see where delays occur in processing, compare staff members' performance, and will ensure you are meeting client and regulatory obligations.
Using this, admin users will be able to build views that give you access to insights about how quickly your staff are progressing through matters and making sure you are adhering to internal or external goals.
December 2022
Easily Navigate to Recent Matters
If you are using the new UI, you will notice a new icon beside the search box on the main navigation bar. Clicking this will take you to a new menu, showing you the most recent matters you accessed. Now it is easier for you to navigate back to the matter you were working on last. The menu will only appear to those who have the new UI switched on.
Change to How PDFs of Invoices Are Accessed From a List View
When you click on the red PDF icon in a list view of bills, you will now download the PDF through the browser, instead of previewing it. This preserves any hyperlinks and ensures the integrity of the invoice is maintained. The screens this will affect are the Bills list, Draft Bills and Bill Production as well as the list of Bills on the matter. Note that the Create Bill and Edit Draft Bill screen contain a button "Print/Preview" which brings up the browser's print preview screen. This functionality will not change.
With this change we download the PDF directly through the browser without showing the print preview. This allows hyperlinks inserted into the invoice (such as the hyperlink to the Actionstep Payments payment page) to function within the download.
August 2022
User Interface (UI) Refresh - Now Available in Early Access
Improving the look and feel of Actionstep
We’ve taken our first exciting step towards refreshing the look and feel of Actionstep.
The user home, navigation, create time entries, timers and much more have been updated with a more modern, cleaner user interface which makes better use of screen real estate. List views, matter headers and other key areas will be getting refreshed soon.
To view these changes, go to General settings and turn on Early Access for “Global UI updates.”
Over the coming weeks, you’ll notice even more changes as we aim to create a unified, accessible, and consistent user experience which is cleaner and easier on the eye – but don’t worry, we’re not moving or hiding anything!
Fee Estimates and Alerts - Now Available in Early Access
Improving Firm's Ability to Manage Costs
You will achieve more predictability and transparency in your billing, resulting in improved fee estimate summaries and notifications, allowing you to quote effectively and manage your clients' expectations.
How Does It Work?
Once an estimate is put against the fees for the Matter, a new matter home panel "Fee Summary" clearly shows how fees (both billed and work-in-progress) are tracking against this estimate. The color of the bar changes based on how much of the estimate is left and you're given an "at a glance" view of where the Matter is at.
You can subscribe yourself and other interested parties to get an email alert when the Matter's fees reach 80% of the estimate.
Benefits:
- Helps you avoid awkward conversations with clients and manage your client expectations
- Provides an "at a glance" summary, as well as email alerts to stakeholders
To get access to this feature, go to General settings and turn on Early Access.
Required Update:
Microsoft 365 Calendar Plugin w/Modern Authentication Support -
Available for Early Access to NZ customers
Our new plugin lets you authenticate directly with Microsoft using Modern Authentication methods
From 1 October 2022, Microsoft is moving to a new, more secure authentication method and you will be required to update your MS 365 Calendar Plugin.
Actionstep’s new plugin lets you authenticate your Microsoft account directly with Microsoft and you will be able to utilise Microsoft’s latest Calendar API.
Look for an email notification in the coming days with more details on how to update your organization’s plugin. Please note, this will be a required update in October in order to keep Microsoft calendars connected and updated.
To preview these changes, go to General settings and turn on Early Access for “Microsoft Outlook Calendar Plugin with Modern Auth Support.” Once enabled, users can add their Outlook Calendar to Actionstep using the new plugin by clicking the “+” button in Calendar. If you choose to enable this update, all users must reconnect their calendars. Please let your users know when you are enabling this upgrade.
This plugin ensures we are compliant with changes Microsoft are introducing at the end of the year and utilizes the latest MS Calendar API and security standards.
Benefits:
- Enhanced security
- Reduce authentication issues, use the same log in method as MS Outlook
Trust Request Notifications - Available for pilot (NZ customers only)
Receive 4 different types of notifications related to trust requests – trust receipts, payments, transfers, and assigning tasks.
Key Benefits:
- Know exactly what needs to be done next in relation to all your trust matters
- Communicate effectively with all parties
Interested in accessing our new Trust Request feature and joining our pilot?
Please email katie.eagles@actionstep.com
Actionstep Payments - Available for Pilot (US customers only)
Partial Payments Simplify Payments for Your Clients and Your Team
Clients can now make partial payments through Actionstep Payments, Actionstep’s built-in payment facility.
An update to the online payment page where a client enters their credit card details now has the option for clients to make a partial payment. They will be able to enter the amount they can afford while still having control over which outstanding items they want that amount applied to.
Key Benefits:
- Receive funds up to 10x faster - By accepting credit or debit card payments from clients
- Spend less time chasing payments - With automatic, fully secure payment links on client invoices
- No more double entry - Payment information automatically populates in Actionstep, QuickBooks, or Xero
- Gain total visibility - With transparent reporting and pricing
If you have any questions or are interested in processing payments through Actionstep, please email Payments@actionstep.com.
June 2022
Fee Estimates and Alerts (Available for pilot / beta testing)
Improving Firm's Ability to Manage Costs
Achieve more predictability and transparency in billing, resulting in improved fee estimate summaries and notifications, allowing to quote effectively and manage clients' expectations.
How Does It Work?
Once an estimate is put against the fees for the Matter, a new matter home panel "Fee Summary" clearly shows how fees (both billed and work-in-progress) are tracking against this estimate. The color of the bar changes based on how much of the estimate is left and you're given an "at a glance" view of where the Matter is at.
Users can subscribe themselves and other interested parties to get an email alert when the Matter's fees reach 80% of the estimate.
Benefits:
- Helps avoid awkward conversations with clients and manage client expectations
- Provides an "at a glance" summary, as well as email alerts to stakeholders
May 2022
Changes to Consolidated Billing
Allow consolidated bills to have multiple contacts.
Previously, consolidated bills were only applied to bills where the primary contact on the bill had consolidated billing turned on. If it was turned on, any bills where the primary contact on one bill matched the primary contact on another bill, the two draft bills, would be consolidated. Only the primary contact would appear on the consolidated bill. Secondary contacts would not be included.
Now, more than one contact can be loaded to a consolidated bill, and we will support consolidating bills based on primary and secondary contacts. Bills will only be consolidated if the primary AND secondary contacts on the invoice match.
Benefits:
- Clients get one bill for multiple invoices.
- Bundled charges: Getting all client invoices consolidated makes budgeting and bookkeeping easier to track.
- Fewer missed payments: Instead of forgetting or glossing over bills that are almost due by mistake, clients will only have a handful of invoices to keep track of. This can help transform making late payments or missing payments completely a thing of the past.
Trust Receipts (Available for pilot in New Zealand)
Allows users to submit trust requests for payments received into their trust account.
Trust Matter Request Views (Available for pilot in New Zealand)
Allows users to view a matter-specific list of trust requests.
- Great for Attorneys or staff who want to review the statuses of requests related to a particular matter
Trust Multi-Transaction Support (Available for pilot in New Zealand)
Allows users to create a single request for multiple matters with a shared client. Supports invoice payments, payments, and receipts.
Trust Transfers (Available for pilot in New Zealand)
Allows users to request a transfer to a different matter on behalf of the client or to a different trust account (for example, transferring trust funds from one person's trust account to another person’s trust account).
Microsoft 365 Calendar with Modern Authentication (Available in beta)
Our new plugin lets you authenticate directly with Microsoft using Modern Authentication methods, utilizing the latest MS Calendar API and security standards.
- Enhanced security
- Reduce authentication issues, use the same log in method as MS Outlook
We know how critical calendars are to our customers, so after rigorous internal testing we are now beta testing with several law firms prior to making this available to all customers.
Briefly Integration
Preview Actionstep documents, emails, email attachments, and file notes in a single browser window.
Briefly seamlessly integrates with Actionstep to quickly obtain the lists of your firm’s Actionstep matters and your matter documents, emails, and file notes.
When users select an item, Briefly seamlessly converts images and documents to PDFs on the fly, so you can locate and review the matter’s content quickly and easily.
Actionstep is tightly integrated with Briefly with a “Show in Actionstep” button, which opens the selected item inside Actionstep so you continue your workflow.
Features:
- Easily sign in with Actionstep credentials
- Preview Actionstep documents, emails, attachments, and file notes in a single browser window;
- Broad compatibility including images and Microsoft Office documents;
- Converts Microsoft Office documents to PDFs on the fly
- Folder or list view of Actionstep matters, folders and their contents; and
- Instant document search by title
April 2022
Trust Requests(Now available for pilot in New Zealand)
This feature allows you to create a request and authorization process for client trust funds as well as create a draft state for trust transactions.
- Allows users to remain compliant with NZ’s trust rules and regulations
- Gain vital accounting controls
- Draft trust transactions ahead of time so when it's time to print and process transactions for clients, they're ready
We are currently beta testing this feature within your Actionstep system. We would love for you to pilot the first release of Trust Requests to help shape its further development before we make it available to all Actionstep customers.
To request access to this feature, please email your firm name and orgkey to gwen@actionstep.com from an email that matches an email associated with an Administrator with Account Authority.
Publish Client Invoices to Matter Documents (Now available in Early Access)
Easily share invoices with your clients or third parties, attach them to your emails, include them in document bundles, and push them into integrated documents systems.
This update will allow you to automatically save invoices directly to the relevant Matter. Once an invoice is finalized, it will be saved into a matter folder called "invoices" and you will then be able to provide external access to this folder, allowing you to share client invoices via the portal.
- Keep and share accurate records regarding invoices issued to customers
- Firms can opt to share this folder with their clients via the client portal
- Easily include invoices in bundles
Kenect Integration (Available to US & CA customers only)
Text Messaging, Reviews, Video Chat and Payments
Actionstep and Kenect have partnered to provide an all-in-one solution to customers. Law firms can get the shared power of Actionstep + texting. allows you to:
- Send and receive text messages from your main business phone number
- Contact sync with Actionstep and automatically tie the case to that contact
- Conversation history with synced contacts
- Streamline and improve your intake process
This is a great opportunity for your firm to get an amazing product at a discounted price.
Verify 365 Integration
The identity verification and AML compliance platform. Built for security. Loved by lawyers.
Verify 365 are a legal sector AML (anti-money laundering), onboarding and ID verification platform that protects law firms and their clients from online identity fraud by making sure that a person is who they claim to be. The platform was developed by lawyers for lawyers. With the help of artificial intelligence, Verify 365 can analyze thousands of technological and behavioral variables in seconds, verifying over 10,000 documents from 195+ countries. By using Verify 365, lawyers can stay compliant in the knowledge their AML due diligence is completed quickly and securely. The identity document checks are 98% automated, making verification lightning fast and automated decisions clear and logical.
Key Features:
- ID Verification: verification of the client and their document using biometric and NFC technology.
- Address Verification: validating the client’s address automatically with proof of address upload.
- Digital Bank Statements through Online Banking technology: providing lawyers with the financial and risk profile information, including instant digital bank statements directly from the bank.
- Enhanced Source of Funds Checks: allowing the client to provide a confirmation and a breakdown of where the funds have come from, along with supporting evidence.
- Global PEPs & Sanctions and Adverse Media Checks: verification and confirmation that a client isn’t included on any international PEP or Sanction lists, including global adverse media checks.
See how it works:
FormEvo Integration (Available for UK customers only)
FormEvo is the next generation of legal forms, future proofing your practice. Save time retyping data into forms.
Built by the Cloudify Legal team, the FormEvo integration will prepopulate relevant fields in any forms available in FormEvo with data that has already been recorded on the Matter in Actionstep such as the client’s name, address, date of birth, date of marriage, property details, claim details, etc. All bespoke to your firm and the form you want to populate.
Key Features:
- Auto-populate forms with data from Actionstep in TWO clicks. No need to retrieve data from multiple places and manually entering
- Easy to use, innovative and flexible forms to help you complete legal forms faster
- Extensive and up to date cloud-based legal forms library of English, Welsh and Scottish form templates ensures you always complete the most current forms
- Secure electronic sharing of forms and documents for review with electronic signing of completed forms means a faster process
- Auto-calculate and auto-populate of up to 94% of form data reduces the number of requisitions
To book a free demo, sign up, and have the integration turned on, please contact Cloudify Legal.
March 2022
Actionstep Payments - Refund Credit Card Payments in Actionstep
Making refunds easier for Actionstep Payments customers.
- Bringing functionality to where users can interact with it
- Insure accurate payout calculations for trust accounting
To learn more, please see our User Guide Article.
Actionstep Payments - Billing Email Template
Easily link to your correct payment default solution.
When you enable Actionstep Payments you will see changes to your billing email template so that a link will display linking your invoice email to Actionstep Payments.
The link shown will depend on whether you use any other payments integrations (LawPay or ProPay) and how your invoice template is set up.
- Provides more flexibility
- Link to your correct payment solution
To learn more, please see our User Guide Article.
DocuSign Integration
Come to an agreement faster with electronic signatures
Streamline the process of generating and signing engagement agreements. With Actionstep's integration with DocuSign, you can seamlessly send documents for digital signing. You can select documents to send, and parties to sign directly from the matter.
Benefits
- Increase speed, reduce costs - Complete agreements faster with significant savings by eliminating paper and manual processes
- Simplify life - Make it easier for your clients and employees to do business on their mobile
- Reduce risk - Full document encryption to ensure compliance and data privacy
To learn more, please see our User Guide Article.
WiseTime Integration
More billable hours with automate, AI-powered timekeeping.
Actionstep and WiseTime work together to make billing more efficient. Save 30 - 60 minutes a day by eliminating manual entry and reliance on memory. Some users report a 40% increase in billable hours as a direct result of implementing WiseTime.
Simply work as normal and WiseTime accurately captures your activity in a private timeline. Actionstep IDs are automatically detected and tagged for you. You can even add charge codes and descriptions before sending to Actionstep.
- No start-stop clocks or manual data entry. Captures all computer activity - supports all browsers and apps
- Automatic recognition of Actionstep matter IDs; case files are tagged for you
- Seamless Actionstep connection reduces admin and shortens the billing cycle
- Improved client trust and collection rates through transparent reporting
- Complete control. Your activity stays private until you say so
- 30-day free trial
February 2022
New 3D Payment Authentication Process
Secure your account and meet compliance regulations
(Applicable for UK & EU customers with administrative access only)
In accordance with the EU’s Revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2) and UK’s Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) rules, we have implemented 3D secure payment processing on the 22nd of February 2022. This change was necessary to further secure our customers accounts and meet compliance regulations in the UK and EU.
To learn how to set up 3D Payment Authentication, please see our User Guide Article.
ActionBI Integration
Free Business Intelligence for your Firm
ActionBI is your Actionstep Business Intelligence Dashboard and Reporting solution. ActionBI allows your firm, team and individual to visualize metrics from your web browser. Explore, 'Drill to Detail' and ask those questions about your firm's data, key metrics, and performance. There is nothing to install, set up or pay for to use ActionBI Freemium.
Click Here to View ActionBI and Demo Data
How To Get Access
1. Request Actionstep to add your daily data export to your monthly subscription by emailing
2. Send your firm's logo to ActionBI@cloudify.legal
3. And then GET CURIOUS about your business!
Livesign Integration
Livesign connects digital document signing with digital identity verification.
Available for our AUS customers, Livesign is a great tool used for conveyancing, it is the only app that binds digital signatures with government-issued photo ID, at the precise point of signing by:
- Combining digital VOI and digital signature into one process
- Digitally extracting the trusted government ID photo of your customer
- Biometrically matching that trusted image to the person behind the device
- Providing you with the signed CAF and detailed identity report
Benefits
- Instant identity verification at the exact moment of digital signing
- Remove the risk of identity fraud
- Reduce human input error caused by scanned ID documents
- A safe and secure experience for your client
- Simple, seamless process that works in seconds
- Easily transition from paper witnessing to secure digital signing
- Confidence for both your business and your client
PEXA Integration (new features available)
A robust, secure and fast property settlement solution
Available for our AUS customers, PEXA is one of the only platforms in the world that lets you lodge documents with the land registry, and pay settlement funds at the same time.
Benefits:
- Interact with PEXA without leaving Actionstep
- Seamless Workflow, Matter Creation to PEXA Settlement
- Improved Client Security - Reduces Keying Errors
- Saves time - on average, 10 mins per matter
Live now:
- Create your PEXA Workspace from Actionstep
- Validation and prefilling of data from your Actionstep matter
- Set and maintain settlement date from within the Actionstep matter
- Invite PEXA Subscribers from the Konekta tile within your Actionstep matter
- Show Workspace Summary within the Actionstep matter
- Send out PEXA Key invitations to your client from Actionstep
- Sync lodged Land Title documents from PEXA to your Actionstep matter
January 2022
Create New Contacts from Email
Effortlessly create new contacts from emails with your Outlook Add-In
This feature enables you to quickly add new contacts to Actionstep. When you open an email, and the email address is not recognized as one of your contacts in Actionstep, you will now have the option to create a contact in Actionstep using the details from the email. Don't worry, Search and "Quick Assign" (where Actionstep suggests existing matters to assign emails) will continue to work the same way as they always have, this new feature is an additional way to get your new contacts into Actionstep.
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