Mobile Helix leverages annotation and security for its legal mobile app with Nutrient SDKs

Thanks to Nutrient, our LINK app is easy for lawyers to use, regardless of whether a document is in a proprietary document management system or is an attachment to email; they just tap the pencil and start annotating.

Mobile Helix specializes in providing mobile applications tailored for law firms, particularly those in “BigLaw,” with 250 to 3,000 lawyers. The company’s mobile app enables lawyers to efficiently work on mobile devices such as iPads and smartphones, while ensuring the privacy and security essential for handling legal documents.

Attorneys need to mark up documents within document management systems (DMS) or email attachments without having to move files between apps. Mobile Helix’s products are designed to save lawyers time, improve responsiveness to clients, and support the modern expectations of working on mobile devices.

Challenges with mobile app security, integration, and ease of use

Integrating Mobile Helix’s app with legacy document management systems and workflows presented a development challenge, primarily because alternative solutions the company explored weren’t as straightforward when it came to integrating them into the LINK app’s architecture. Law firms rely heavily on their established systems for managing vast amounts of sensitive data, and any new solution must seamlessly integrate without disrupting‌ commonly used workflows.

The hard part was ensuring the mobile app could communicate effectively with these complex systems, maintaining the integrity and availability of data across different platforms. Integration was crucial not only for operational continuity, but also for maintaining user confidence and ensuring the transition to a new mobile platform was smooth and error-free.

In addition to integration, security was paramount, especially given the sensitive nature of legal documents. The challenge was to develop a mobile application that could ensure the highest levels of security while handling document transfers and annotations. Traditional methods of moving documents between apps often open up potential security vulnerabilities, such as unauthorized access and data breaches.

“Security and privacy are table stakes in the legal market.” — Maureen Blando

Mobile Helix’s app needed to provide a robust, encrypted environment where documents could be annotated securely within the app itself, without a lawyer ever leaving this secure space. This requirement was critical to protect client confidentiality and preserve the integrity of legal proceedings, which could be compromised by any lapse in document security.

In the environment of the legal profession, with its demands for efficiency and precision, ‌Mobile Helix needed to ensure its mobile solution met these expectations. The challenge was to make an app that was easy to use. This would let lawyers add notes to documents quickly and effectively on their phones.

“Responsiveness is one of the top things that anyone is looking for in an attorney, and you can think about your own personal and work experience with attorneys. When you call an attorney, you want a quick response to your needs. — Maureen Blando

How Nutrient PDF SDKs for iOS and Android met the moment

The integration of Nutrient’s mobile SDKs for iOS and Android into Mobile Helix’s app played a pivotal role in simplifying processes. It allowed lawyers to annotate documents on their iOS or Android devices directly within their existing document management systems, or even within email attachments, without the cumbersome process of transferring files between different applications.

By streamlining the annotation process, Nutrient’s PDF SDK minimized the steps required to manage and modify documents, saving time and reducing the potential for costly errors. The seamlessness of the integration was particularly beneficial in maintaining the flow of work for legal professionals to handle their documentation more efficiently and with greater ease.

“Associates and partners expect to be able to do this work on their mobile devices. They don’t expect to sit at a PC all day to get their work done.” — Maureen Blando

Knowing that security is paramount in the legal industry, where the protection of sensitive information is a fundamental requirement, Mobile Helix addressed this critical need by purchasing an SDK from a provider with a proven track record for security and meeting regulatory requirements. This approach ensured that all documents and annotations remained secure within a single encrypted environment and effectively eliminated the security risks that typically arise when documents are moved between different applications.

By maintaining all sensitive data within one secure app, Nutrient provided Mobile Helix with a robust solution that safeguarded client confidentiality and complied with stringent legal standards for data protection. This enhanced security feature not only reinforced the trust of Mobile Helix’s clients, but also strengthened the app’s market position as a secure mobile solution for legal professionals.

Nutrient’s SDK mobile solutions also significantly enhanced the responsiveness of Mobile Helix’s app, a critical factor for legal professionals who require efficiency and speed in their daily operations. By optimizing the app’s performance, Nutrient ensured lawyers could access and annotate documents swiftly on their mobile devices.

“For lawyers, iPads and smartphones are a big part of their productivity. That includes iOS and Android.” — Maureen Blando

The improvement in responsiveness is crucial in the legal field, where time-sensitive matters are routine, and the ability to work effectively from any location can significantly impact the outcome of a case. The enhanced responsiveness provided by Nutrient’s SDK technology not only improved the user experience, but also aligned with the modern expectations of legal professionals for mobile accessibility.

Nutrient helps Mobile Helix leverage success for legal professionals

Nutrient’s integration into Mobile Helix’s app brought about transformative changes that significantly enhanced workflows, security, and responsiveness for the legal professionals who use it every day. As a result of the integration, legal professionals are empowered to focus more on their core responsibilities, are confident in the security and confidentiality of their clients’ documents, and are able to work across devices in any setting.

As the provider of a mobile app so fundamental to legal professionals, Mobile Helix found a vendor in Nutrient, which demonstrated understanding of the company’s needs, provided the level of support that inspires confidence in the technology, and integrated flawlessly with document management systems.

With the Mobile Helix LINK app, legal work is mobile-friendly, thanks to Nutrient

The partnership with Nutrient has been instrumental in delivering a superior product that continues to evolve and meet the needs of modern law firms. After seven years of support and growth of Nutrient’s business, Mobile Helix’s experience with Nutrient’s SDK mobile solutions is still very positive, and the company looks forward to future innovations for its mobile app.

Explore how Nutrient can power your mobile app experience for the users that matter most.