Simplify the stack: Accelerating innovation with the iManage Cloud

Previously, we explored how law firms move from on‑premises systems to the cloud, what midsize law firms need to understand about the move, and how cloud adoption supports a more strategic IT function. Once the move is complete, however, the most meaningful change begins to take shape: access to continuous innovation. 

For firms operating in an environment defined by rising client expectations and rapidly evolving legal technology, the ability to adopt new capabilities without friction is no longer a “nice to have;” it’s a competitive necessity. 

Innovation without the upgrade cycle 

Traditional on‑premises environments tie progress to upgrade cycles. New functionality arrives in large, infrequent releases that require months of planning, testing, and coordination—often accompanied by unacceptable downtime and elevated risk. Even when firms know new capabilities exist, accessing them can mean deferring other priorities or stretching already limited IT resources. 

This constraint is increasingly untenable. According to the ILTA 2025 Technology Survey, 63% of firms that have migrated to the cloud cite access to new features as a key benefit. That statistic reflects a fundamental shift: innovation no longer needs to wait for the next major upgrade. 

In a cloud environment, it’s continuous. 

What continuous innovation looks like in practice 

Moving to the iManage Cloud changes how new capabilities are delivered, evaluated, and adopted across the firm. 

Automatic capability updates

New features—including AI‑driven functionality, enhanced search, and workflow automation—are delivered automatically as part of the service. There’s no need to schedule major upgrade projects or accept operational disruption. Capabilities arrive incrementally, ready for use, without interrupting day‑to‑day work. 

Stronger collaboration with innovation teams

Cloud infrastructure enables firms to test and evaluate new tools without creating shadow IT or introducing security gaps. Knowledge managers, innovation leaders, and IT teams can collaborate more effectively, piloting new ideas within a governed, secure environment rather than relying on disconnected workarounds. 

Higher adoption, lower friction

Modern, consumer‑grade interfaces and native integrations reduce training requirements and speed adoption. When tools align with how professionals already work, users engage more quickly—and support demands decline accordingly. 

Scalability without capital planning

As firms grow, merge, or adapt to changing workloads, cloud infrastructure scales seamlessly. Capacity planning exercises and emergency hardware purchases give way to an operating model that expands with demand, supporting growth without added complexity. 

Avoiding the innovation workaround trap 

In many on‑premises environments, limited access to modern capabilities drives teams to seek external tools and temporary solutions. While these workarounds may address immediate needs, they often introduce new challenges related to security, governance, and data sprawl. 

Over time, this fragmented approach increases risk and undermines confidence in the firm’s core systems. Cloud platforms help eliminate this cycle by delivering timely access to modern capabilities within a single, governed environment, reducing the need to look elsewhere for innovation. 

Enabling a more strategic IT posture 

Ultimately, continuous innovation enables IT leaders to shift from managing constraints to delivering capabilities proactively. Rather than reacting to limitations or negotiating tradeoffs, teams can focus on aligning technology delivery with firm‑wide priorities. 

This is not simply a technical benefit. It is a strategic one. Cloud‑first platforms like iManage Cloud are designed to help firms adopt new ways of working as they emerge—without adding complexity to the technology stack or burdening internal teams. 

Continuing the conversation  

Ready to learn more about how your firm can support its IT team by making a smooth, low-risk transition to the cloud? Reach out to our team or explore peer success stories to see how other firms have benefited from the move.