Changes to Smokeball desktop app performance - September 2024

We are making changes in the background on how Smokeball loads Matters, Contacts and search results, with the goal to dramatically reduce loading times upon logging in to Smokeball.

Matter List changes

The Matter List looks slightly different:

1. Column reset

The column order and display will be reset to default. Right-click on the headings to reconfigure the columns that display on the list. Drag the column widths to resize the columns. You will only have to do this once.

2. Infinite scrolling has been replaced with Pages

Pagination leads to faster load times for the Matter List, especially with large data lists. You can increase the number of matters displayed on the list by using the dropdown menu on the right.

3. Changes to filters

The filter interface has been revamped.

Replaced Filters

• The Group by Staff option has been replaced with Filter by Staff. You can still group by Staff Member by sorting the Staff column.

• The Group by Stage option has been replaced with Filter by Stage. You can still group by Matter Stage by sorting the Stage column.

• The Group by Matter Tag option has been replaced with Filter by Matter Tag. You can still group by Matter Tag by sorting the Matter Tag column.

• The Group by Person Responsible option has been replaced with Filter by Person Responsible. You can also run the Client - Full List, Matter - Full List or Lead - Full List report and filter by “Person Responsible” for a broader view.

Removed Filters

• Group - by Client
  As a work around, you can sort the Matter List by the Client column or run the Matter - Full List report and select Group By Client from the dropdown menu.

• Group - by Type
  As a workaround, you can sort the Matter List by the Type column or run the Matter - Full List report and select Group By Type from the dropdown menu. 

• Group - by Due Dates
  As an alternative, right-click on the grey column headers to make the Next Step column visible in the Matter List and sort by it.
  

Contact List changes

1. Infinite scrolling has been replaced with Pages
   

   Pagination leads to faster load times for the Contact List, especially with large data lists.

2. Column layout changes
   You can rearrange the Contact List column order. Changes made to column order are automatically saved for the next time you log into Smokeball.

List Export changes

The option to export the Matter List or Contact List is no longer available.

As an alternative, you can export the Matter - Full List report or the Contact Export report to multiple formats, including Excel.

Advanced Search changes

We have made changes to the search engine that powers Advanced Search in Smokeball. When searching keywords, results will be ordered by keyword relevance.

You can also use Boolean operators when searching documents in Advanced Search. Learn more about Boolean search.

Working offline changes

The following message will appear in the Matter List if you are working offline:

You are currently offline. Please check your internet connectivity.

Working on the most recent matters

If you are using Smokeball without an internet connection, you will only be able to access up to 50 of the most recent matter files you have opened.

These matters also can only be accessed from your Recently Viewed section on the left panel of the Matter List, or from the My Recently Viewed dashboard widget.

Searching Smokeball while offline

Both Advanced Search and Quick Search will no longer be available while you are offline.

Creating a matter while offline

You can create a matter offline and work on it from the Recently Viewed section on the left panel of the Matter List.

Viewing the Matter List and Contact List while offline

The Matter List and Contact List will no longer be available while you are offline.

Linking related matters

You can now link related matters to show that they belong to the same client.