As I took the stage during the keynote on Integrations and Partnerships, it became clear that we are entering a new chapter where collaboration, openness, and flexibility will define the most successful technology providers in the market. 

From Tech Delivery to Strategic Partnerships 

The keynote message was unmistakable. While 2024 was seen as the "Year of Premier Delivery Partners," 2025 belongs to the "Premier Technology Partners." Law firms are no longer looking for tools in isolation; they need connected solutions that fit seamlessly into the wider ecosystem and evolve alongside their business goals. During our session, the value of open ecosystems came up repeatedly. Clients want access to sandboxes, transparency around integrations, and a clear line of communication with product teams. Most importantly, they want to test functionality before rollout. 

Naturally, there was also plenty of discourse about AI and the many ways it will undoubtedly shape our industry in the years ahead. While AI remains an area of exploration for us at BigHand, we’re clear-eyed about where we add value to firms today: empowering data-driven decisions, streamlining operations, and improving profitability. However, to deliver on that promise of true partnership, the foundation must be there - and that means being ready for the cloud. 

Cloud Readiness is a Must-Have 

Cloud transformation dominated many conversations across the conference, and rightly so. The sessions I attended at this event highlighted just how much progress is being made - but also how much firms are still trying to understand what that journey really involves. As firms navigate complex migrations to the cloud, they’re asking hard questions of their vendors. How will we access our data? What integration models will support us best? Can we trust our technology partners to adapt with us? 

Additionally, the array of methods for extracting and integrating cloud data is growing. Firms want to know that the solutions they adopt are compatible and truly cloud-ready. BigHand are invested in ensuring our products meet that standard - and we are committed to helping firms make the transition with confidence. Whether it’s integrating financial productivity tools or leveraging foundational data for better visibility, our focus is on making the cloud work for our clients, not the other way around. 

Making Integration Practical 

An exciting development I saw was the increasing role of event-driven integration. The concept is simple - a change in one system can trigger an automated workflow in another. But the implications are powerful. Imagine a matter closure in one platform instantly initiating a budgeting or resource allocation process in BigHand. This type of orchestration moves firms beyond static systems into a genuinely connected platform environment. 

This kind of integration frees up time, improves accuracy, and delivers better service to clients. However, for it to work, legal tech providers must build for scalability, with sustainable impact and consistent performance. For journeys like this, you need a strategic partner - not just a vendor. BigHand are focused on building tools that integrate cleanly, perform reliably, and deliver real business value across the lifecycle of a matter. 

Looking Ahead 

The future belongs to those who build together. Openness, interoperability, and trust are no longer differentiators; they are minimum expectations. As firms look to modernize operations and prepare for the next phase of legal service delivery, the role of connected, cloud-ready tools will only grow more critical. 

BigHand is ready. Our platform is evolving in step with the needs of modern law firms, and our cloud-first strategy ensures that firms can deploy our solutions wherever they are on their journey.  

If your firm is exploring how to better leverage data, integrate workflows across platforms, or simply build a more agile tech stack, I’d welcome the chance to talk.