
AppColl is cloud-based. Accordingly, I can login and utilize AppColl anywhere I have internet. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
The timer function is atrocious and non-functional. It measures only in tenths of an hour rather than tracking actual minutes/seconds and then converting to tenths of an hour after completing the timed task. Worse, pausing the timer forces rounding to the nearest tenth of an hour, inaccurately adding 0-6 minutes or subtracting 0-6 minutes from the timer. So if you pause and restart frequently, while the adding and subtracting time could average out over the long term, the timer could be grossly inaccurate for any particular matter. A single client with a single matter could be grossly underbilled or grossly overbilled using the AppColl timer. If you are looking to use a timer to record your billable work, and you want to be confident the timer records time accurately, I recommend avoiding AppColl. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
AppColl data belongs to the user. The data can be downloaded and manipulated in many useful ways. Further, data from the USPTO can be imported directly into AppColl, avoiding the tedium and and errors associated with data entry. The billing system is very easy to use and produces invoices in PDF or in formats that can be uploaded into client billing systems. AppColl's customer support people respond to questions on the same day, usually within minutes of submitting the question. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
I really don't have too much to say here. There are some reports from the billing system that I had to work hard (writing database queries) to squeeze out of the AppColl data, but that had more to do with the peculiarity of what the client wanted than what AppColl provided. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
AppColl's Support is wonderful! The ability to validate the data with the USPTO & Espacenet. Letter generation with the valid data makes mistakes a thing of the past. Importing and updating massive changes throughout the database with ease and speed. Saving time with automatically generating and sending the IP Staff dockets at a set time. Modification of tasks accordingly to the firms practice. The list is too long. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
So far, there hasn't been anything I have disliked. There is so much room for so many activities. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
I have been using Appcoll since 2014, when my firm had outgrown a homemade docketing solution. Since then, Appcoll has become a key tool to help my firm grow efficiently.
One of the best features is its automatic import of USPTO PAIR data through XML files. It saves time, but maybe even more importantly it serves as a quality control tool. Appcoll marks any discrepancies between USPTO data and its internal data. I have found spelling mistakes between USPTO filing receipts and my docket that way before, which I would not have otherwise.
Over the years I have customized Appcoll tasks to automate, as much as possible, recurring task. Reporting a filing receipt has become a matter of just a few clicks - and the client receives an automatically generated email with the receipt attached. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
In short: There is nothing I really dislike about Appcoll. Yes, there have been a few bugs in the application at times, but the Appcoll team has always been responsive and fixed those when alerted to them. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
The system is so user friendly and intuitive that training isn't really required. Also, it's efficient to have all our information from docket tasks to fileroom to form email messages to invoicing all in one place. Whenever we ask for an additional feature or for assistance, the response from AppColl is surprising fast and thorough. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
I can't think of anything I've asked them to change that hasn't been addresses already. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
I like that the 7 modules (Tasks, Matters, Prior Art, Files, Billing, Reports and Contacts) use the same general layout and functionality. Therefore, the same general processes (with a few exceptions) can be applied when using filters, creating reports, accessing info and uploading information. Also, I like the ability to customize default tasks and create custom tasks to remind the staff and attorneys about procedures that can be easily forgotten. One of the best things is the extremely prompt and thorough assistance from the Appcoll's customer support. Once, I wanted to filter for a series of conditions that wasn't possible, so appcoll support figured out an Excel formula to create a database query. They use creative problem solving to make my job easier. Also, new features are frequently added to fix bugs or respond to our requests. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
There is nothing I dislike about AppColl. The only critical comment I have is that invoice module is the least intuitive module. However, once I took the time to learn it well, it is easy to use. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Simplicity, flexibility, ease of use and learning, various features that allow us to provide useful information to clients as well as internal resources. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
The ability to link with our document storage (e.g., OneDrive) would be nice, but the system is very close to perfect as it is. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
When I have an issue, the response is fast, personable, and effective. I've gotten prompt attention even outside business hours. We are a small office with a very complex client structure and unique needs; AppColl is flexible enough to make this work well, even at our small scale, and at a reasonable price. They are continually working to add useful features and to keep pace with PTO changes. I liked AppColl when we started using it, and I love it now. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
There used to be some inefficiencies in using the system, but AppColl has both responded to our requests and innovated on their own to add useful features, so we have nothing to mention here. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
I appreciate the ease of use, breadth of features that make my job more efficient, responsiveness of the support team when I have a question or concern and the ability to setup my own task types to address my companies individual needs. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
My schedule is so full that I lack time to keep up to date with all the new improvements and features available to me that would free up more of my time and that of my staff! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
I love AppColl. I like that it's web-based so I can access it anywhere without horsing around with some antiquated VPN system. I like that it integrates with the USPTO's website to automatically download status updates for trademark matters, and now also you can manually instruct it to update patent matters from Private Pair once you've uploaded your credentials. I love that you can customize tasks and have automated emails be sent once specific events have occurred, or tasks have been created or closed. Simply put, this software allows me to run my practice without any administrative help because I have it set up to automatically generate all of my routine reminder letters/emails, as well as all of the template letters/emails that go out to clients. I also really like the Invoice module, which I use for all of my billing. I have been using this software for at least six years, and it has only gotten better with each update they put through. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
From time to time I have come across bugs in the software. That being said, this happens less and less often, and they always strive to have it fixed as soon as possible. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
AppColl provides a very intuitive system with excellent help topics, learning modules, and accessible people to talk to if you have any questions. The billing module and timers help me efficiently track time, and invoice generation is very easy. The system also includes the ability to store references for IDS submissions, and generate USPTO forms from data entered into the system, which reduces risk of error. This is an overall exceptional product that takes care of all of my docketing and billing needs. I have already recommended it to several colleagues. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
In 5 years use, I haven't found anything that I dislike. If I have had any issue or question, it is immediately resolved or answered. AppColl personnel are friendly and knowledgeable. I have only had the system go offline briefly ONCE in 5 years, and I use this product every day in my practice. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Their task module and email notifications are amazing. I also love their invoicing module. The whole platform is perfect for an IP law firm. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Nothing - I love the AppColl platform!!! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
AppColl does a great job of pulling together a number of things: generation of actions based on templates; auto generation of emails; auto notification based on USPTO updates; basic docketing of patent and trademark items; tracking of prior art on IDS; central repository for storing files; task generation and tracking. In addition to all of that, AppColl provides such services in a very financially prudent price structure. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Like many startup companies, there is an often evolving framework of improvements. Such is the case with AppColl. However, even in view of such improvements, AppColl continues to maintain a very steady foundation of base features. Such improvements are simply that - improvements on an already great foundation. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Support and tutorials are unparalleled. It's easy to use the database itself, but if there is ever a question, the answer can usually be found in the FAQs or tutorial videos, and if it can't be resolved, it's easy to send it to AppColl support for an answer. They are quick in responding and thorough. The ease of use of the database, too, is an advantage. It calculates dates appropriately and creating custom templates to run and generate dates is easy. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Nothing really. Currently I'm unable to create custom headings for my reports, which would save a bit of time, but it's not a deal-breaker. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Easy to use. Automatically calculates the due date for everything required. Love the TDSR update feature. Love the form generator too. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Would love an app for my phone. the task list is sometimes unwieldy Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
- cloud based
- pulls information from USPTO PAIR
- can link cases together so that Office Actions show up for IDS purposes
- The ease of creating IDS'
- The ease of using filters to create customized spreadsheets/reports Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
- Office Action tasks need to be marked as "Missed" in order for the subsequent task to show up; and if it is not marked as missed, the entire application could go abandoned by failure to respond to an Office Action
- I have not been able to figure out a way to create my own tasks to add to the Drop down menu of pre-created tasks
- I cannot customize some of the pre-set "Reports" that were created
- I cannot re-create an IDS once it has been created once because the "Create IDS" button disappears completely
- I cannot customize the task Drop Down menu in the Billing section to add in the descriptions Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
I love the ease of using the software and that technical support has always gotten back to me quickly. They have also welcomed my suggests to help with improving the software. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
I dislike that not all USPTO forms are available. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
The best features of AppColl are the ability to generate forms and documents that are pre-populated with the appropriate information for a matter, thereby eliminating the risk of human error data entry in the form creation. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
There are two things I dislike. One, the reporting functions related to attorney billing, attorney collections, A/R, and other finance aspects are limited and not very user friendly. Two, we cannot really utilize multiple different customer numbers in form creation for different clients. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
The ability to include EVERYTHING you need for the maintenance and review of patent applications, issued patents, trademarks and copyrights. The ability to adjust the docketing to our particular practice was easy and extremely useful. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Not really anything about it is unsatisfactory. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
AppColl is a feature-rich, highly customizable, no-nonsense docketing platform that just works. The support—both when an issue comes up and training—is top-notch. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
It's not the prettiest software out there, but docketing doesn't need to be pretty. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
I like how scalable it is to the needs of my business and it’s technically supported well. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Wish there were warning pop ups that would indicate the thing your about to do can’t be undone etc. For example, merging contacts. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Software knows and automatically dockets all of the relevant patent and trademark deadlines so I do not have to! Customer service is very responsive, usually within a couple hours. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Invoicing is very clumsy, steep learning curve. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.