How software can save time in veterinary practice

There are very few veterinary clinics where the people working in them do not use multiple pieces of software on a daily basis. The main ‘brains’ of the practice is the practice management system (PMS). The most common PMSs in the UK are made by Covetrus (Ascend, Robovet), NordHealth (Provet Cloud), Idexx (Animana, EzyVet) and MWI (Merlin) among others. There is a new breed of PMSs such as Digitail and Vetspire that are less common in the UK, but are bringing innovation to challenge the status quo.

As well as acting as a place to store client and patient information, a good PMS should connect well to other pieces of software and services in order to help the clinic to optimise their workflows and improve their productivity. There is an old saying that the one thing a vet hates more than their PMS is changing it. This is probably the main reason why some clinics use PMSs which rely on having a server sitting under a desk somewhere. One wrong turn of the receptionist's chair and it might be lights-out for the whole clinic as the power cord is pulled.