Clod based practice management software

Re: Clod based practice management software

Chris Reichmann — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 12:41:11 GMT

We are using vet-one and are more than happy with the support (if needed) and the functions. A good broadband is essential. Our backup are our i-phones which we could tether from if necessary.Our computers are all Mac-Mini which communicate easily. I wouldn't ever go back to a server based system.

Re: Clod based practice management software

Richard Carter — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 09:06:14 GMT

The idea of none of your data being present on site would concern me. My vote is still for Teleos.

Re: Clod based practice management software

Rob Loxley — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 23:16:53 GMT

I don't think the question should be just cloud or in-practice based, but finding a good system with good support on whichever model you choose, that doesn't tie you into costly hardware deals (and I struggle to understand how some systems need the hosting power of a google server farm...)

Re: Clod based practice management software

Nicola Lawlor — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 14:50:13 GMT

We previously used vet-one and I have to say I wasn't a big fan. We are now back on a server based system and it is so much better - more functions on it which makes things so much easier, but if the internet goes down we can still use it. It seemed to be a very regular occurrence the vet-one system went down for us even when other internet functions were working though - so not just a router/broadband concern. We had a "no computers" pack always up to date with labels, history and billing forms in, plus basic consent forms you could put client details onto so that we could still function without the system, be the failure at the supplier end, the broadband or even in a powercut. It has proved very worthwhile!

Re: Clod based practice management software

Alan Tevendale — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 09:01:14 GMT

[quote user="Colin Thomson"]

It didn't help that I was on holiday at the time (I'm the most IT literate of us all). I spent at least an hour on the phone every day from the Monday until the Friday. Ruined my holiday.

Colin

[/quote]

I know that feeling only too well.

Re: Clod based practice management software

Colin Thomson — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 08:59:53 GMT

[quote user="Alan Tevendale"]I would certainly be dissapointed if it took my IT support 2 days to sort a problem with my server [/quote]

In fairness to Jupiter there was a hardware failure and data corruption combined - possibly the hardware failure caused the data corruption. It took until the next day to sort the hardware failure, when the data corruption was discovered. We were back up in some form on that second day, as I recall, but with old data and limited functionality. It took them another day or so to correct the data corruption, by the time it was uploaded and up to date it was nearly a week.

It didn't help that I was on holiday at the time (I'm the most IT literate of us all). I spent at least an hour on the phone every day from the Monday until the Friday. Ruined my holiday.

Colin

Re: Clod based practice management software

Ashley Rubens — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 08:32:02 GMT

Lack of Internet connection doesn't worry me too much - our main branch is well within 3G mobile coverage and out other branches are so rural we are used to running without power / computers! I guess my concern is the reliability of the actual companies providing these services - Jupiter may have taken 2 days to fix your server, vet solutions have taken 5 months so far... Is it possible to maintain your own seperate back up of the data if you use one of these systems? Or would that be pointless? Thanks for everyone's thoughts so far - all very helpful!

Re: Clod based practice management software

Alan Tevendale — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 08:25:41 GMT

I know what you mean it certainly does make a hugh difference to price if you don't have to run a server but I still don't like the idea of not being able to access data if I am without internet access. A 3G dongle would counteract most of the problems but that is presuming that you are able to get 3G reception in your area (you obviously can). I would certainly be dissapointed if it took my IT support 2 days to sort a problem with my server - one of the reasons I've never touched Jupiter.

Re: Clod based practice management software

Chris Mason — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 08:21:18 GMT

we were a new startup practice 5 years ago, I went with an American PMS called advantage - cost £400/year to run 6 licenses and computers were bought via dell. Total investment was approximately £2500. All maintenance can be done in house with 24 hours support from the states.

Re: Clod based practice management software

Colin Thomson — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 07:14:32 GMT

[quote user="Alan Tevendale"]I would also agree with Michael that you must make sure you can function when without internet.[/quote]

Alan, Michael - in some ways that misses the point. These systems are good value partly because you don't have to run a server. Our annual fee for the first year of VetIT including the data conversion and initial training etc was less that the server hardware upgrade cost we were quoted from Jupiter, and we'd have had to pay for the yearly software licence - which is a lot more than VetIT's.

Part of the reason for moving from Jupiter rather than just upgrading - which we were going to do, the devil you know etc - was that we had a server failure onsite, which took more than 2 days for Jupiter to sort out. So even with our data in our building, we had no PMS for 2 days. I don't think we've even had an hour of downtime with VetIT.

Of course, you're right, internet connection is vital. But is the internet going to be down longer than it will take for some of the PMS's to sort a server? We have a BT fibre connection, and we back that up with a 3G dongle on the router which kicks in if the BT line goes down. I've tested this by unplugging the BT cable. The dongle is on line within 20 seconds. The users don't notice any interruption.

Colin

Re: Clod based practice management software

Alan Tevendale — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 23:27:07 GMT

I looked into lots of different systems a couple of years ago when we changed over to our current system (Evolution) but was sorely disappointed with the capabilities of the cloud based systems I looked at. I am sure they have come along a fair way since then but I wouldn't use one just because it's cloud based. Make sure it can do everything you need it to. I honestly believe that the time and money spent on a good system will pay for itself in savings later on.

I would also agree with Michael that you must make sure you can function when without internet.

Re: Clod based practice management software

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 22:22:55 GMT

Do you have a local copy of the data so you can function with no internet?

We were off-line for 3 days whilst BT replaced our router and off for another day due to a 'district line fault'.

That is what would put me off.

Re: Clod based practice management software

Ashley Rubens — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 22:06:26 GMT

Thanks Colin, That's very helpful, and mirrors my thoughts. Also glad to hear you've had a good experience with VetIt, they're one of the companies coming to see us - I may have some more specific questions to email you once I've spoken to them.

Re: Clod based practice management software

Colin Thomson — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 22:01:16 GMT

We moved to VetIT a year ago. No regrets. A system without some of the bells and whistles of others, but reliable, easy to use, setup for large, equine, and small, good value for money, and nice people.

You have to understand you're trading one set of vulnerabilities with onsite server based systems for a different set for remotely hosted ones. The principal vulnerability being the need for constant internet access. And they're not strictly "cloud" based at all. The use of the word Cloud implies that it might be on a server anywhere, with data and services possibly spread over a large no of machine and locations.That's not what most of these PMS are. These are really remotely hosted systems, with your data on a specific machine in a specific data centre at one location (usually in the UK).

I think its the way to go, and even some of the more longstanding PMS providers are offering these types of system. But the new guys have the advantage of starting from scratch, not trying to bring an old system to a new platform. I think that shows.

Email me for more, if you wish.

Colin

Re: Clod based practice management software

Ashley Rubens — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 20:46:15 GMT

NB The only Clod involved would be myself!