Data from Strategy Analytics show that over 1-in-5 UK households have a smart speaker. That translates into 5.8 million households and a reach of over 10 million users. With this in mind, PLS have decided to expand their processes and utilise this technology to improve the client journey further.
askPLS is PLS Solicitors’ new and intelligent Alexa Skill, which allows customers to remotely check the status of their case. PLS clients who have an Alexa device can enable the askPLS Skill on their account and will be able to access this service at no extra cost.
Through this new Alexa Skill, customers can “askPLS” everything from whether PLS Solicitors has received their documentation, their solicitors contact details, whether they have received their mortgage offer or even if exchange of contracts has taken place.
One of the most significant positive functions of the Skill is around the controversial subject of lawyer fees and transparency. Within the console, not only can a customer access their fees and disbursements (which it lists for the user), they can askPLS for the description of why PLS Solicitors is charging that specific fee and Alexa will explain ‘why’ in detail.
The Alexa Skill is the newest member of the technology family for PLS Solicitors. PLS Solicitors is one of the few legal firms in the country to offer Alexa Skills to keep customers informed.
PLS Head of Operations, Dean Carruthers, spearheaded the creation of this new service and explained:
“For us it’s about more than just bricks and mortar. The vision for PLS Solicitors is to ensure our customers understand everything about their transaction and have multi-platform real time access to their case 24/7. As something happens during the legal process, the askPLS service updates in real time and can supply an array of dynamic information to a client as soon as they ask for it.”
Carruthers continues:
“When designing this functionality, we were keen to ensure that our clients receive even more detail on any legal jargon that they may encounter during the conveyancing process. So, as well as real time updates, the askPLS service can explain 101 different pieces of conveyancing terminology. We believe harnessing technology in this way adds an extra level of client care to our service.”
Clients will now see the askPLS symbol next to certain phrases on all of their paperwork. This symbol denotes that they can ask their smart device for further information on that item.
