In today's fast-paced world, resolving disputes efficiently and effectively is more crucial than ever. Last week, I explored Immediation, an online dispute resolution and mediation application that aims to streamline the entire process. After a thorough look (video review here), I'm impressed to say the least! It's a comprehensive, user-friendly platform that could be a game-changer for mediators, arbitrators, and their clients. Plus, with a 2-week free trial available, it's easy to see if it fits your needs. If you aren't happy, paying for a premium version is unnecessary.
Immediation combines multiple processes and applications into a single infrastructure designed to resolve disputes outside of traditional courtrooms. Think digital courtrooms, robust document management, automated intake, and seamless client-lawyer communication – it's all there. Think of it as a case management software for professionals in arbitration and mediation, but a major feature is that your clients also have access to the software and all the documents involved in their case. You can customize the application to your desire and automate your workflows.
The dashboard offers a familiar layout, similar to many case management software solutions and project management software like ASANA. It provides a clear snapshot of all your matters, categorized as open, closed, or assigned. Clients also have access through a dedicated portal, allowing them to participate directly in the process.
Let's dive into the core features and how they fit into your workflow:
Case Facts: Easily review and save all relevant case details.
Participant Assignment: Assign participants to the matter.
Forms: Access all submitted forms in one central location.
Conference Calls: Set up conference calls directly within the platform. (Note: While I didn't find a built-in transcription service, it's worth investigating further within the application.)
Document Storage: Securely store and share documents with clients and other participants.
Case Notes: Add case notes and supporting documents for easy reference.
Availability: A standout feature! Check and update the availability of all parties without endless email exchanges or separate calendar services.
Correspondence: Track all correspondence, with filtering and search capabilities.
Tasks: Assign tasks to yourself or others.
Forms & Templates: Generate documents using custom templates with template tags or tokens. Automate the intake process with intake forms, streamlining project creation, document sharing, and conference scheduling.
Finances: Manage invoices within the platform.
Activity: Access a comprehensive audit trail.
Settings: Customize various application settings.
So, what kind of automation features did I come across? From the dashboard, you can easily create new matters, start or arrange conferences, or create new matters using intake forms, which, once filled in by a client, update the platform. Immediation also offers various forms upon request, such as enquiry and feedback forms, so that you can further automate other processes. By the way, you can also create your own forms. You aren't limited to the ones Immediation provides.
Immediation allows you to customize the application to align with your company's branding. By navigating to Organization > Settings, you can personalize the application, documents, forms, and invoices to reflect your brand identity. I like that Immediation is giving its customers the option to make the application look like it was designed for that firm.
The platform also provides tabs to monitor activities across the entire organization:
Conferences: View upcoming and completed conferences.
Tasks: See assigned tasks and assign tasks to others.
Finance: Manage outstanding invoices, generate new invoices, and export data to CSV for reconciliation with accounting software.
Reporting: Generate reports on open and closed cases and export the data as CSV files.
The file-sharing feature enables you and your clients to securely store and share documents within Immediation. All participants have access to the documents and can share them securely, integrating seamlessly with other features. So, there won't be a need to maintain several other software applications to work on your case. The alternatives would be to use Outlook, OneDrive, ASANA/Clio etc., which are not integrated.
Immediation features an AI assistant called "Ask Ryan." This AI system searches for answers to your questions from all their user guides, providing quick and relevant information. You can save chats and download answers, similar to a legal brief, making it a valuable resource for arbitration and mediation-related inquiries.
While Immediation offers a wealth of features, I didn't find a built-in transcription or e-signature feature. However, the platform's overall functionality and ease of use make it a top contender in the online dispute resolution space.
Overall, I give Immediation a 9/10. It's a powerful and intuitive application that can significantly enhance the efficiency of dispute resolution. I highly recommend checking out the free trial to experience its capabilities firsthand. What are your thoughts on Immediation or other online dispute resolution platforms? Share your comments below or feel free to reach out to me directly!
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