MODULE 02 / 08 · 16 MIN
The Work-to-Cash Suite & Platform Architecture
Expert Sierra on Stridyn, MADDI AI, and the connected chain from pricing to time capture to compliance to eBilling to cash.
Key intelligence
- 1
Expert Sierra: the cloud-native SaaS version of Aderant Expert, hosted on AWS; 640+ firms on Expert or Sierra, 250+ in the cloud.
- 2
Stridyn is the cloud platform underneath; MADDI is the AI engine, with askMADDI and the Agent Center on top.
- 3
Work-to-Cash: Virtual Pricing Director → iTimekeep → Onyx & OCG Live → BillBlast → Cloud GL & AR.
- 4
Practice of Law: Handshake, Aderant Drive, CompuLaw, Milana, Deadlines.com, First AML and vi by Aderant.
The core
Expert → Expert Sierra on Stridyn
| Capability | On-prem Aderant Expert | Expert Sierra (cloud) |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Local or hosted Microsoft SQL Server | AWS SaaS managed via Stridyn |
| Maintenance & patching | Firm IT through upgrade cycles | Continuous micro-updates by Aderant |
| Data access | Direct SQL queries, custom SSRS reports | REST APIs, Stridyn Analytics, Cloud Connectors |
| AI | Add-on module integrations | Native MADDI, askMADDI, Agent Center |
Sierra keeps Expert's full financial depth (GL, AP, AR, time & expense, trust, billing, analytics) while Aderant owns servers, SQL administration, patching and disaster recovery. Stridyn unifies data services and authentication and ships continuously — no disruptive multi-year upgrades.
Interactive
Walk the Work-to-Cash chain
Scope & price
Virtual Pricing Director
Price matters on data, not partner intuition.
- Historical matter complexity and staffing outcomes drive pricing models
- Side-by-side AFA modeling: fixed, blended, capped, hourly
- Real-time budget tracking alerts before scope creep erodes realization
Practice of Law
Knowledge, risk, talent & AI
- Handshake Portals & Search: role-based BI, client lists, matter updates, KPIs across DMS (iManage), SharePoint and intranets
- Handshake Connect: out-of-the-box legal intranet ('portal in a box')
- Handshake for Microsoft Teams: auto-provisions matter workspaces at intake with financial KPIs
- Aderant Drive: secure M365 client extranet with Dynamic Templates and Drive Analytics
- EA Pro integration surfaces Handshake data in attorney interfaces
Commercials
How deals are priced
- SaaS subscription for Expert Sierra and cloud modules (iTimekeep, BillBlast, VPD); perpetual licensing for legacy on-prem.
- Contract value driven by timekeeper seats, admin access tiers, modules, geographic footprint and deployment complexity.
- Onboarding, data migration and configuration are scoped separately as professional services.
- Implementation: prescriptive discovery & mapping → conversion tools → sandbox + Aderant Academy → go-live. Current-release clients correlate with higher Profit per Partner.