Veterinary office management is an essential area of providing veterinary services, and this can primarily be fulfilled through veterinary software management. As such, the selected software for discussion in this paper is AVImark, IntraVet, and Hippo. AVImark is descriptively a veterinary practice management tool that is designed to support all forms of veterinary practices. The software offers features and office functionalities such as electronic medical record keeping, appointment and booking, patient records, estimates and invoicing, prescription plans and treatment management, as well as pricing and management of retail and drug stock level (FinancesOnline, 2018). The software was built by a US-based companion animal health distribution firm called the McAllister Software Systems who began selling the Windows-based AVImark product in 1990. However, a year later, Henry Schein became the exclusive distributor of the software.
On the other hand, IntraVet software is an easy to use tool that offers management solution relating to critical medical, financial, and back-office information. Other provisions of the software include an easy to use platform, easy personalization, integration of appointments, management of patient records and imaging, as well as enabling reports and client reminders. According to Paul (2005), the manufacturer of IntraVet software is Intra Corp that was subsequently acquired by Patterson companies in 2005. Intra Corp is considered one of the nation’s leading developer of veterinary practice management software and in particular the IntraVet software. Based in 2005 statistics by Paul, IntraVet had approximately 1, 600 installations nationally earning the company approximately five million US dollars at the time.
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In contrast, Hippo Manager is a cloud-based veterinary electronic health record and practice management software. The software is easy to use, efficient, and affordable veterinary software that offers unlimited data storage and tech support. It also allows for scheduling of appointment, mobility and accessibility, client communications, as well as inventory management. Hippo Manager Software Inc. developed the software that was co-founded in 2012 by Sam Razor and Bart Conrad (Hippo Manager, 2018).
AVImark
Pros
Supports inventory with Henry Schein’s cloud-based intelligent inventory service.
Accurate control of purchase orders and inventory
Easy and accurate tracking of pricing as well as drug and stock levels
Notifies users on the complete processing of a purchase order
Easy integration with laboratory instruments
Cons
Costly
Requires meticulous data input to be operational as a full practice management software
The interface is not seamless
Technical Support
For technical support regarding the use or installation of the software, it comes with a demo and manual guide. However, for further support regarding services such as backing up, the client can contact the support team through contacts provided on the website or in the manual.
Contingency for System Failure
In the case of a system failure or recovery, the company recommends contacting the support team that would dispatch an IT specialist to remedy the problem. However, due to problems with the backing up, there is a substantial risk of losing data during system failure. Also, the company’s website offers a training program for how to use the product and handle any failures and inconsistencies.
Installation
Indeed, the information regarding the supported hardware and devices has been provided on the company’s website. Furthermore, the hardware is shipped to the customer when it is completely configured according to the software’s’ recommendations and ready for installation (Henry Schein, 2018).
Updates
One needs not to request updates from the server as they are available in the utility menu. However, the updates need to be manually installed.
Integration with Lab
The software does not import laboratory results directly into the medical record; rather, it automatically downloads the results, which can then be attached to the medical records.
IntraVet
Pros
Flexible appointment calendar
Enables inventory tracking
Easy prescription labels
Provides a detailed patient medical history
Allows for invoicing
Cons
Problems with defragmentation of the database
Updating the software is difficult
Poor customer service, (Capterra, 2018).
Technical Support
Technical support is handled through the company’s support whose contacts have been provided online. However, support is only available during business hours throughout the week.
Contingency for System Failure
In the case of a system failure, the first line of action that is recommended by the company is contacting the support team. However, a fundamental contingency is the training that the company provides for its product through online platforms as well as face-to-face. Upon purchase, the company sends an installer expert to teach the new owner how to back up fundamental practice data to avoid loss during failure or recovery.
Installation
Similar to AVImark, IntraVet hardware arrives upon purchase with preinstalled and configured hardware for easy installation. In addition, an expert is sent to set up the workstation, install the software, and direct the user how to use the software.
Updates
Updates are not automatic and have to be requested manually. They are sent in the form of a DVD that will run automatically on the server.
Office Functions
Among the office functions of the software include invoicing, inventory tracking, recording all transactions, storage of medical records, activation of reminders regarding appointments as well as prescriptions. Furthermore, the software allows the user to print the reminders and send them as postcards or letters.
Integration with Lab
Similar to AVImark, IntraVet does not have the capability of importing lab results into patient’s medical records; rather the results need to be downloaded first and attached as part of the patient’s medical history, (Patterson Veterinary Inc., 2018).
Hippo
Pros
Easy to use
Saves time in setting up unlike IntraVet and AVImark
Affordable
Unlimited data storage
Remote accessibility
Unlimited tech support
Compatible with mobile platforms
Cons
Updating the features of the software such as charts and scripts is frustrating
Requires contacting support when adding or removing features
Too many clicks required to access desired information
Requires internet connection
Technical Support
Unlike AVImark and IntraVet, Hippo Manager does not require purchasing support, and as such, the company provides a US-based help-desk that assists with troubleshooting. Moreover, the company offers video training available 24/7 on the website.
Contingency for Failure
Unlike IntraVet, Hippo Manager is cloud-based software thereby ensuring safety and availability of data upon system failure or recovery, a facet made possible by the unlimited storage and 24-hour backup schedule (CrowdReviews, 2018). Furthermore, the fact that the software allows accessibility from different devices means that damage of records in one device can be remedied by accessing the same records from a different device.
Installation
The software is cloud-based and as such, does not provide any hardware. The only provision provided by the company is a unique and secure URL accompanied by unique usernames and secure passwords to access the software. Furthermore, based on its simplicity to use and access, the company does not provide an IT expert to aid in the installation of the software. All is needed is the login details and the URL, and one is able to get started in minutes (DRE Veterinary, 2018). Nonetheless, in case of any queries and inquiries regarding starting the software, the company offers a training video that is sufficient for this purpose.
Updates
Unlike IntraVet, the fact that the Hippo Manager software is cloud-based means that the updates are automatic and managed by the server or company.
Office Functions
The software has reminder capability that integrates with patient reminder portals. As such, it is able to send the reminders in the form of texts, emails, and cards. Also, the software has inventory management capability to maintain stock levels, accurately track margins, and remove or add items or quantities. Furthermore, Hippo Manager schedules appointments by using different color schemes to demarcate the appointments.
Integration with the Lab
Unlike AVImark and IntraVet, Hippo Manager does not offer lab integration, and as such, cannot import or download lab results. In lieu, the results are scanned, stored, uploaded and attached to the relevant medical file as part of the patient’s medical history.
References
Capterra. (2018). IntraVet. Retrieved from https://www.capterra.com/p/92882/IntraVet/
CrowdReviews. (2018). Hippo Manager FAQS. Retrieved from https://www.crowdreviews.com/hippo-manager/faqs
DRE Veterinary. (2018). Hippo Manager Veterinary Practice Management Software. Retrieved from https://www.dreveterinary.com/veterinary-equipment/veterinary-telemetry-systems/hippo-management-software
FinancesOnline. (2018). AVImark Review: Business Process Management Software. Retrieved from https://reviews.financesonline.com/p/avimark/#technical
Henry Schein. (2018). AVImark Software Features. AVImark. Retrieved from https://avimark.net/avimark-software/product-features/
Hippo Manager. (2018). “Exactly What We Needed, At A Great Price.” Retrieved from https://hippomanager.com/about-hippo-manager-veterinary-practice-management-software/
Patterson Veterinary. (2018). Features. Retrieved from http://www.intravet.com/SoftwareOverview/Features
Paul. (2005). Patterson Companies Acquires Intra Corp., Developer of Leading Veterinary Practice Management Software Marketed Under IntraVet Brand Name. Business Wire. Retrieved from https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20051219005812/en/Patterson-Companies-Acquires-Intra-Corp.-Developer-Leading
