Elite Unveils Cloud-Only Updates Aimed at Ending Friction in Law Firm Financial Operations
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Introducing Data Connect powered by Elite’s Data Fabric, Elite Intelligence embedded in Proforma, and new cloud-only capabilities across Payments, Time, and Compliance—all connected by Elite’s AI-enabled SaaS Platform, 3E
Summary
- Elite advances its SaaS platform to run the entire work-to-cash cycle as one connected system, removing manual handoffs with a unified operational foundation
- New cloud-only capabilities delivered through the 3E platform include Data Connect powered by Elite’s Data Fabric, embedded Elite Intelligence in Proforma, and upgrades across Payments, Time, and global e-invoicing
- Together, these platform-driven updates give firms continuous visibility, faster cash flow, and greater operational control as intelligence and data are embedded directly into daily work across 3E
The End of Data Friction
Elite is introducing Data Connect, powered by Elite’s Data Fabric, giving firms a new foundation for continuous financial insight across the work-to-cash cycle. Elite’s Data Fabric is a core capability of its SaaS platform. Built on Microsoft Fabric, Elite’s Data Fabric will unlock the full potential of data across Elite products and law firms’ enterprise reporting. Data Connect is the first product available on Elite’s Data Fabric. It delivers near real-time operational financial data from 3E directly into a firm’s existing Microsoft Fabric environment without custom pipelines or manual reconciliation. Firms gain timely visibility into work in progress, billing progression, accounts receivable movement, and realization trends throughout the month, not just at period close. Pilot customers say Data Connect cuts reporting time by 50% and eliminates the burdensome four‑step processes they used to rely on. Tasks like summarizing timekeeper data now happen instantly within the product, letting analysts skip the workflow overhead and get straight to generating insights. Data Connect removes delays from overnight extracts and disconnected reporting cycles, helping firms shift from retrospective reporting to continuous financial operations where insights are actionable in real time. And because Data Connect runs on the same platform that powers financial operations, insight and execution are finally unified—what firms see and what they do now live in one system. “Law firm finance doesn’t operate well in silos—it needs to be able to operate as one connected work-to-cash system,” said Elisabet Hardy, CPO, Elite. “Everything we’re introducing today brings that system together across billing, payments, time, and compliance, so firms spend less time fixing breakdowns and more time using technology that supports how they actually work.”The End of Billing Friction
Lawyers can now shift repetitive Proforma tasks away from lawyers to Elite Intelligence, a new embedded AI capability that accelerates billing by actively guiding routine review decisions inside a revenue-critical workflow. Embedded directly into Proforma, Elite Intelligence shows up in the moment billing decisions are made, prioritizing edits, deferring low-value items, and spotlighting high-impact proformas—freeing lawyers to focus on practicing law while routine items move forward. Business impact:- Cuts proforma review time by up to four hours per month per lawyer
- Speeds billing cycles for more timely client payment
- Improves accuracy, reducing errors and enhancing client relationships
The End of Payment Friction
Managing trust accounts and multiple banking relationships is one of the most complex and risk-sensitive areas of law firm finance. Elite Payments now enables precise routing to multiple operating accounts and IOLTA-compliant trust deposits directly at checkout. Cash receipts are tracked in 3E by matter, office, or practice, simplifying reconciliation, reducing errors, and making funds available faster and freeing finance teams to focus on higher-value work. These capabilities provide the scale, auditability, and control firms need as payment volume and regulatory scrutiny continue to grow.The End of Time Friction
Billable time often goes unrecorded when lawyers move between meetings, calls, and documents—leaving revenue on the table. Elite’s Time now applies AI to automatically capture every minute spent in Microsoft Teams, converting collaboration into accurate, billable entries right where lawyers already work Business impact:- More revenue captured from previously missed time
- Faster billing cycles and fewer client disputes
- Reduced administrative effort for lawyers and billing teams
The End of Compliance Friction
Governments are increasingly making e-invoicing mandatory, and delays or errors can directly impact cash flow. Elite’s 3E Financials now embeds country-specific e-invoicing compliance into the billing process for Belgium and soon Poland, expanding coverage beyond Australia and New Zealand. Finance teams no longer need to navigate multiple invoice formats or wait for tax approvals. Invoices are automatically formatted, validated, and transmitted to tax authorities through Edicom, a certified global tax authority network, without manual intervention. Business impact:- Meet regulatory requirements without slowing invoice submission
- Reduce manual errors in invoice processing and reconciliation
- Improve client satisfaction with correct local invoice formats
New Era, No Friction
As its unified, SaaS platform continues to evolve, Elite is redefining how modern law firms operate—transforming work-to-cash from a series of disconnected steps or time-bound initiatives, into a continuous, connected part of daily operations. This platform approach removes friction once and keeps it removed as firms grow, regulations evolve, and client expectations rise. About Elite Elite is the trusted automation platform for law firm operations across most of the world’s largest and most successful law firms. Founded in 1947, Elite has guided firms through every technology shift and today delivers the only AI-enabled SaaS platform that unifies financial, invoice, time, and data management into a single system of action. With embedded AI, predictive analytics, and integrated payments, Elite’s products enable firms to shorten billing cycles, reduce write-offs, and unlock firm-wide insights — making financial operations the foundation for law firm innovation and growth. Learn more at elite.com. Elite® and 3E® are registered trademarks of Elite; all other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Elite
February 24, 2026