Guide
Choosing veterinary software: nine questions to ask before you sign
The headline price tells you little. Nine simple questions to compare two products on what matters: the real cost, the laboratory, your data, the daily routine.
6 min read
Changing software is a decision you rarely make, and live with for a long time. Demos all look alike. These nine questions help you see what they don't show.
The real cost
How much for my practice, as it is?
Ask for the price for your number of vets, workstations and sites. Public price lists often add an extra charge per vet.
What costs extra?
Installation, training, support, data migration, text messages and the connection of each analyser may be charged separately.
How long is the commitment?
And what actually happens if you leave before the end?
The laboratory
Are my analysers integrated, and in which direction?
A one-way integration sends back the result. A two-way integration also sends the request, and avoids any retyping.
Can a test be run and not invoiced?
Ask to see, on screen, the path a test takes from the consultation to the invoice.
Your data
Where is the data hosted?
In your practice, online, or both. Ask which country it is hosted in and how often it is backed up.
Can I get all my data back, and in what format?
A complete, readable export is the best guarantee that you can change your mind one day.
Who owns the vendor?
Wholesaler, insurer, practice group, manufacturer: every owner has its own interests. Better to know them.
Day to day
How long does it take to check in a new client?
Time it during the demo. It is the most repeated task of the day, and the one that best tells you whether the software was designed with the front desk in mind.