Business & Economics
-
Product rebates to veterinarians spur tax questions
4/9/2018
For honesty's sake, report the money, accountant advises
-
How revised tax code treats veterinary practices
3/13/2018
VIN's general counsel demystifies new rules on pass-through deductions
-
PetSmart looks beyond Banfield for veterinary-clinic operators
3/8/2018
Retailer lists 188 vacant clinic spaces available
-
UK veterinarians cautious on plan for new school
2/16/2018
Low wages, long hours in profession a concern
-
Attempt fails to change Washington law on nonprofit veterinary clinics
2/12/2018
Bill would have let humane societies, animal-control agencies broaden services
-
Veterinarians form group dedicated to independent practice
2/1/2018
New association aims to help small businesses thrive
-
Second veterinary business allies with Petco to run in-store clinics
1/18/2018
The Pet Vet plans operations in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas
-
Petco stores now house veterinary clinics
1/10/2018
Texas, California and Colorado are first
-
In Britain, a shortage of veterinarians brews
12/12/2017
Brexit fallout already evident
-
Banfield joins employer trend with offer to defray student debt
12/1/2017
Well-intentioned programs might be ill-advised for some borrowers, experts caution
-
Mars antitrust remedy 'not even a drop in the bucket'?
9/26/2017
Deal puts 2,000 practices under one owner
-
Publisher Time Inc. enters veterinary-discount realm
9/11/2017
Club gives pet owners 25 percent off medical services
-
FTC to Mars: Divest 12 clinics in order to buy VCA
8/30/2017
Mars agrees to proposed antitrust settlement
-
Burglar to veterinarians: Don’t display lavish stock of flea-tick products
7/13/2017
Prisoner shares his views in letter
-
The dark side of modern X-ray equipment
6/8/2017
Veterinarians find digital radiography expensive, maddening
-
‘Smart’ collars for animals proliferate
5/5/2017
Claims of health benefits as yet unproven
-
Suspect admits to burglarizing veterinary clinics
4/18/2017
Lured by value of flea-and-tick products
-
USDE seeks input on Public Service Loan Forgiveness
2/10/2017
Veterinarians asked to submit ideas to improve program
-
Banfield CEO Vincent Bradley resigns
1/31/2017
Departure follows news of Mars-VCA deal; Brian Garish named successor
-
Mars to buy VCA
1/9/2017
Largest veterinary hospital-chain merger in history under way
-
Big gets bigger in 2016
12/29/2016
Year-end snapshot of noteworthy business deals in animal-health market
-
Veterinary-drugs seller Sean Gerson arrested
12/16/2016
FDA agent tracked supplier for five years
-
Ex-Banfield leaders buy practices as ‘LegacyVet’
10/18/2016
-
Veterinary clinic opens at a Florida Wal-Mart
10/17/2016
Practice owners are first to lease space from retail giant
-
Hemopet ‘1,000 percent going to stay in business’
9/21/2016
Failure of tax-exemption quest doesn’t doom canine blood bank
-
Canine blood bank seeks sales-tax relief
8/12/2016
Proposed California law would exempt only nonprofits
-
GL Advisor founder sentenced to nine years in prison
6/17/2016
Daniel Thibeault tearfully admits fault
-
Make price paramount when choosing veterinary school, many advise
5/10/2016
Other considerations include campus culture, location, program emphases
-
Veterinary prescription practices reviewed by House panel
4/29/2016
Lawmakers profess affection for pets, appreciation of veterinarians
-
House subcommittee to consider pet-prescription rules
4/28/2016
Proposed ‘Fairness to Pet Owners Act’ a subtext of hearing Friday
-
Zeuterin marketer falters two years after U.S. debut
4/22/2016
Sales of injectable sterilant for dogs come up short
-
Pet insurer renounces controversial rate factor
3/24/2016
Trupanion cites poor execution after veterinarians object
-
Jobs forecast for veterinarians better than average
12/22/2015
Labor economists predict 9 percent growth
-
Report rekindles debate on rural veterinary workforce
12/21/2015
Methodology questioned in provocative study on Appalachia
-
Educational debt debated in veterinary economic summit
11/5/2015
Growth in schools drives applicant-to-seat ratio to 1.6-to-1
-
Mars Petcare wooed fast-growing BluePearl
10/29/2015
Veterinary company co-founder answers questions about sale
-
Coming soon: credit-card security changes
9/18/2015
Merchants using outdated equipment may be on hook in fraud cases
-
Veterinary generics squeezed by blocking agreements
9/8/2015
Zoetis, Merial bar big distributors from selling competing generic drugs
-
New entrants to pet microchip market draw critics
7/29/2015
Are chips with ‘900’ codes unreliable or unfairly targeted?
-
Entrepreneur finds pet microchip problem unsolvable
7/16/2015
Owner apathy, tangled industry leads Check the Chip to give up
-
Idaho veterinarians make tentative peace
5/28/2015
Humane Society agrees to limit some services
-
FTC: Pet-medications market could be more competitive
5/27/2015
Consumers would benefit from broader prescription portability, report says
-
Washington law on veterinary nonprofits: model or muddle?
5/26/2015
Requiring income qualification not same as means testing
-
Nonprofit veterinary care: for whom and how?
5/21/2015
Profession spars over income eligibility, means testing
-
Facial-recognition apps scout lost pets
4/15/2015
Tool supplements tags, chips
-
MWI sale reflects trend in pet-related industries
1/27/2015
Veterinarians wonder how service, prices will fare
-
Sale of pet-supply company sign of changing times
12/17/2014
Petco purchase of Drs. Foster and Smith one of several industry shifts
-
Web address extension .vet among hundreds rolling out
12/9/2014
Domain names first come, first served
-
Ownership of Sentinel antiparasitic line poised to change
10/31/2014
Virbac seeks Novartis veterinary drugs in transaction with Eli Lilly
-
New veterinary degrees may not pay off, economists find
10/29/2014
AVMA conference highlights debt, salary issues
-
Veterinarians, schools emphasize yearly pet checkups
8/15/2014
Survey finds more pet owners concerned about cost of care
-
Most veterinarians reduce prices so animals can get care, survey finds
7/16/2014
Few practices track discounts systematically
-
VCA Inc.: Gentle giant or takeover threat?
7/11/2014
Views of chain veterinary hospital owner span the spectrum
-
Fate of Novartis portfolio in question after sale to Eli Lilly
6/27/2014
Deal creates world's second-largest animal health business
-
Pet treats: Does 'Made in USA' mean safe?
6/10/2014
Illness linked to Chinese-made jerky spurs label changes
-
Pet store chains to drop China-made treats — eventually
5/21/2014
Petco, PetSmart bow to customer concerns
-
Veterinary private-practice sector makes modest rebound
5/13/2014
Revenues rise, mostly through price increases
-
Blue Buffalo advertising draws long history of complaints
5/9/2014
In latest, Nestlé Purina sues for false advertising
-
VCA Antech prevails in breach-of-contract suits
5/1/2014
Laboratory services provider continues suing veterinarians
-
Surveys yield conflicting trends in U.S. pet ownership
3/31/2014
Counts of dogs and cats differ by millions
-
Equine hospital by New York racetrack revived
2/27/2014
Cornell University signs lease-buy agreement
-
Veterinarians receiving loan repayment awards say program makes a difference
2/13/2014
But states have difficulty evaluating its effect on shortage areas
-
Navigating student debt, income-based loan repayment
2/4/2014
Veterinarian shares experience, advice about dealing with government programs
-
Demise of Partners in Wellness leaves some veterinarians in bind
10/14/2013
Program failed to catch on, Nestle PurinaCare says
-
Veterinary clinics scrutinize CareCredit in wake of investigation
7/12/2013
Merchant expense, new rules, reputation questioned
-
When dental schools closed: lessons for veterinary profession?
6/10/2013
Student applications, not practice economics, drove decisions
-
Rise of veterinary chain ownership begets Canadian group purchasing
4/10/2013
Uniform pricing tradition gives way
-
Banfield expansion brings new stand-alone clinics
3/28/2013
Eight in Portland, Ore.; other cities possible
-
Group purchasing activity on upswing in veterinary medicine
2/28/2013
Organizations proffer bulk discounts to independent practices
-
Is the doctor in?
12/5/2012
Veterinarians grapple with demand for extended hours
-
Ultrasound machine salesman pleads guilty to theft
11/8/2012
Plea follows indictment of Patrick Jackson
-
Satellite practices: academic evolution or unfair competition?
10/26/2012
OSU to open emergency, specialty practice in Columbus suburb
-
Veterinarians recount ordeals with major lender
9/6/2012
Wells Fargo strives to 'serve as a trusted advisor to veterinarians'
-
Hospital chain headhunts for talent among veterinary practice staff
7/3/2012
Veterinarians debate ethics of Banfield's recruiting methods
-
No simple answers on supply and demand in veterinary profession
5/29/2012
Workforce data outdated, conflicting
-
Veterinarian opens up about going undercover
5/22/2012
Flea-product diversion adventure twisted, turned
-
Veterinarian investigates illicit diversion of flea products
5/8/2012
Gray-market sales veiled by deception, intrigue
-
‘Why are vets so expensive?’
4/13/2012
Practitioner tackles sensitive question
-
Veterinary diagnostics giant sues multiple practitioners
3/9/2012
VCA Antech alleges breach of extended lab service contracts
-
VCA Antech buys largest Canadian veterinary chain
1/26/2012
Associate Veterinary Clinics operates 44 clinics in three provinces
-
Veterinarians confront Internet pharmacy PetMed Express
1/16/2012
Company acknowledges: ‘Some mistakes were made’
-
Veterinary practices inch back to growth
1/1/2012
Surveys of third-quarter results show some improvement
-
PetMed Express stumbles
12/8/2011
Competitive pressure up in veterinary-drug sales
-
Credit card processors pass costs of IRS rule to merchants
12/2/2011
Negotiate to have fees waived, expert advises
-
Loan broker accused of bilking veterinarians now sells wellness plans
11/10/2011
Ron Paterson draws more complaints
-
Bid to bring veterinary education to Alaska stirs debate
11/9/2011
Fears of oversaturation weigh on need for more veterinarians
-
Merial knows, diverting veterinarians assert
11/4/2011
Maker of Frontline denies the company condones, encourages diversion
-
More veterinarians sue flea products broker WTF Wholesale
11/4/2011
Claims collectively top a half-million dollars
-
Equipment dealer deludes some, aids others
11/2/2011
Ron Sassetti earns mixed reviews from veterinarians
-
‘Free’ Hill’s cat food samples not exactly free
10/24/2011
Veterinary clinics report accepting samples triggers orders for more
-
Subterfuge, confusion surround new credit, debit card rules
9/30/2011
Merchant savings on fees not automatic
-
VCA's buy of Vetstreet raises worries about control of clinic data
9/1/2011
New owner says it will not inspect clinic information
-
Complaints mount against gray-market broker WTF Wholesale
8/29/2011
Problems open view into world of flea product diversion
-
Entest to use veterinary practices as revenue driver, research venue
8/23/2011
Concerns about setup point to potential conflicts of interest
-
Amerisource Medical under investigation by police in two states
8/3/2011
Ultrasound-equipment vendor accused of cheating customers
-
Out of the frying pan, veterinarians mix economic uptick with uncertainty
7/28/2011
Increased competition likely to blunt recovery for veterinary clinics
-
New poll finds many clinics in flagging health
7/18/2011
Study: Advertising, communication, consistency key to boosting veterinary visits
-
Pfizer seeks to unload animal health division
7/8/2011
Sale or spin-off expected
-
Tight job market squeezes large-animal veterinarians
6/27/2011
Some say shortage of food-supply practitioners is over
-
Gilded Lilly? Bayer challenges Elanco claims
6/24/2011
Bayer challenges Elanco claims about diversion, loyalty to veterinarians
-
Veterinary technicians: Opportunities, but at what cost?
6/9/2011
Support staff cite low wages, spotty professional respect
-
Tough job market compels dogged hunt by new veterinarians
5/19/2011
Fewer grads enjoy luxury of multiple offers
-
Proposal for new Banfield hospital prevails over objections
5/6/2011
Veterinarians in California city seek to resist ‘Wal-Martization’
-
ISU wins first round in litigation against veterinarians
5/3/2011
Specialists barred from competing with ISU hospitals fight back
-
PLIT rolls back workers' comp advice for relief veterinarians
3/29/2011
Broker Hub International issues clarification
-
Thrift commerce meets veterinary medicine in GroupDVM
2/10/2011
Company uses 'power in numbers' to leverage deals for veterinarians
-
Study: Veterinarians can reverse decline in visits
1/27/2011
Report identifies contributing factors and ways to counter the trend
-
Price soars on popular antibiotic metronidazole
1/13/2011
Limited competition among manufacturers behind increase
-
Target tests market for pet medications
12/22/2010
Trend in retail sales of veterinary drugs accelerating
-
Veterinarian struggles to protect her online reputation
12/8/2010
Practitioner suspects Internet extortion is at play
-
Canine Health Institute closing its doors
11/18/2010
Veterinary center for pain, rehab, imaging, neurosurgery was unique
-
Clinic owner struggles with ultrasound-equipment vendor
11/17/2010
Amerisource Medical blames veterinarian’s location for shipment delay
-
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program gets off ground
11/9/2010
First USDA awards go to 62 recipients
-
Frontline, ProMeris not going OTC, manufacturers say
11/8/2010
Veterinary market research survey gives confusing message
-
NAS veterinary workforce study nears release
10/28/2010
Stakeholders expect report to shed light on supply and demand in America
-
Navigating credit card security requirements
10/21/2010
Compliance isn't cheap or easy
-
PetMed Express reports slip in sales
10/19/2010
Ad costs rise as consumer spending falls with the online pharmacy
-
Lawsuit raises questions about sale of drugs to non-veterinarian
10/13/2010
Case brought by Bayer against shelter rescheduled for Dec. 2 hearing
-
Health credit programs: safety net or predatory lending?
10/4/2010
NY state investigation puts veterinarians on the defensive
-
CEVA buys Summit VetPharm
9/2/2010
Plans to market Vectra parasiticides globally
-
Just say 'no' to telephone solicitors
8/23/2010
Clinic owners describe latest scheme involving Discover, Legal Club of America
-
PVP, subsidiaries seek bankruptcy protection
8/23/2010
Veterinarians dismayed by state of company
-
PVP faces bankruptcy; veterinarian investors stand to lose
8/12/2010
SEC filings reveal distributor entered into forbearance with lender
-
Economic recovery still bumpy for veterinarians
6/8/2010
After first-quarter gains, California veterinary practice revenues slip in April
-
Bayer wins some, loses some
4/28/2010
New sales policy continues to reverberate
-
Veterinary publishers mixed on future of print journals
4/23/2010
Amid advertising decline, MediMedia bets on online services; others say print runs far from over
-
Veterinarians bear brunt of software shortfalls, vendor growing pains
4/12/2010
VIA asks for patience as company updates practice management software
-
Businesses join veterinarian in Yelp class action lawsuit
4/1/2010
DVMs need guidance for dealing with online reviews
-
PetSmart first retailer to carry Advantage under new Bayer policy
3/17/2010
Banfield and other clinics turn away
-
Merial details company stance on product diversion
2/26/2010
Executives speak out after veterinarians question company loyalty
-
Bayer opens flea product sales to retail outlets
2/10/2010
Citing diversion, company ends policy of selling only through veterinarians
-
PM software maker ImproMed buys VETECH
1/16/2010
Second acquisition for ImproMed within six months
-
2009 brought huge consolidations in animal health industry
12/21/2009
Butler and Schein merger latest in a series
-
Assets of a slow economy
12/7/2009
Putting life back into the work-life balance equation
-
Merial reports Immiticide, Heartgard shortages
12/5/2009
Rationing of Immiticide leaves some veterinarians in a lurch
-
Regulatory fee increases raise veterinarians' hackles
10/29/2009
California board readies to impose stiff price increases
-
Sidewiki hijacks sites, puts reputations at risk, critics say
10/2/2009
Dangers of Google review tool spark concerns from veterinarians
-
Online directory earns mixed reviews from veterinarians
9/16/2009
VINners air grievances about LocalVets.com, now known as YextVets
-
Survey suggests recession spares many veterinary practices
9/3/2009
Reports show specialty, emergency practices bear brunt of downturn
-
Activists go after stores selling dogs from puppy mills
7/27/2009
Movement to stamp out large commercial breeders gains traction
-
California tax officials target breeders via Internet
6/29/2009
Officials search for those who skirt tax obligations
-
Funding woes kill Fresno lab, haunt DVM program
6/26/2009
Calif. budget crisis wreaks havoc on veterinary medical education
-
Advanta Bank to close all credit accounts this week
5/27/2009
Card issuer catered to small businesses
-
Veterinarians must comply with Red Flags Rule by May 1
4/22/2009
Most practice owners already meet requirements, AVMA official says
-
Veterinary charity highlighted by economic woes
3/30/2009
-
VNN unveils online advice site for pet owners
3/17/2009
Project to generate financial support for media network
-
Economic downturn hits veterinary practices
3/11/2009
New VIN survey results anticipated
-
COBRA subsidy puts more onus on employers
3/3/2009
New rules likely burdensome, experts say
-
Calif. veterinary service tax proposal dies
2/25/2009
Issue could re-emerge in future budgets
-
Off the table?
2/12/2009
Calif. sales tax on veterinary services loses steam
-
Tax experts stress the economy this year
2/3/2009
Pay attention to practice management, they say
-
New center aspires to help dogs that might otherwise be euthanized
2/2/2009
Rehab, pain management and imaging under one roof in Houston
-
Reports show veterinary practices hurting
12/24/2008
Veterinarians feeling nation's longest recession in a quarter century
-
Fed adopts consumer credit-card protections
12/19/2008
VIN members wary of other finance deals
-
Fuel prices drop, yet surcharges remain for diagnostic services
12/18/2008
DVMs push back; Antech drafts letter to explain fees
-
Survey Finds Economy Eroding Revenues
12/5/2008
The present depression in the economy is starting to be felt now, according to a survey of Veterinary Information Network members.
-
Dr. Tice's interest rates reversed and refunded
11/26/2008
In a classic case of oil going to the squeaky wheel, a veterinarian whose soaring credit card interest fees roused indignation has gotten a refund on excessive interest charges.
-
Henry Schein Executive Says Privacy Rules Impede Inquiry Into Credit Card Rate Hikes
11/20/2008
Company says most cardholders are unaffected
-
Soaring credit card rates raise eyebrows, hackles
11/14/2008
Dr. Tice warns colleagues to watch their credit card interest rate; Henry Schein offers to advocate on behalf of customers using their affinity card.
-
Sales Tax on Veterinary Services
11/11/2008
California may impose a sales tax of as much as 10.25 percent on veterinary services if a proposed economic plan from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is passed.
-
Brokers say Economy Not Hindering Capital
10/28/2008
-
Pet food prices squeeze owners, veterinarians
10/27/2008
Prescription diets costs skyrocket, setting off consumers
-
Brakke to release economic downturn report
10/10/2008
Study to publish in mid-December
-
AVMA to release economic data
9/9/2008
Biennial economic survey, starting salaries report set for publication
-
Handshakes are history; read the fine print, consultant says
8/26/2008
Product purchase gone wrong burns veterinarian
-
CPA accused of stealing $2.7 million from VPI
7/23/2008
Stephen Anthony Friekin faces 103 felony counts of money laundering
-
Feeling the economic pinch? Stop giving away services, consultant says
7/22/2008
Dr. Thomas Catanzaro suggests ways to earn more income
-
Landscape for business refinancing wide open, bankers say
Go local for low rates, veterinarian suggests
-
On the record
The VIN News Service recently conducted a Q&A session with the American Veterinary Medical Association and its indemnity arm, the Group Health and Life Insurance Trust (AVMA-GHLIT). The discussion explores the controversial partnership that’s emerged between GHLIT and Pets Best Insurance, a private entity.
|
VIA asks for patience as company updates practice management software
|
April 12, 2010
By: Jennifer Fiala
For The VIN News Service
Dr. Tripp Stewart spent upwards of $20,000 on the latest technology designed to take his start-up emergency practice paperless — a migration that he says has been flanked by disappointment and aggravation, the product of promises not kept by a beleaguered software maker.
After four months of weekly phone calls to support services, Stewart posted strong words in a Veterinary Information Network (VIN) discussion. His warning to colleagues: “Stay away from VIA.”
“I have been reluctant to bash the software because we need them to help us with customer support, but lately that has been dreadful as well so I feel free to vent,” he writes on VIN. “This software is the antithesis to user friendly. ... I need to let other ERs know not to fall for the sales pitches.”
Based near Dallas, VIA Information Systems is new on the veterinary scene compared with many of its competitors. It specializes in creating programs with potential to take a practice paperless, which is a departure from the traditional cash register-centric systems that dominate the veterinary software marketplace. VIA software offers unique features like a digital whiteboard that centralizes the charts of admitted patients to be viewed at a glance — a selling point that attracted Stewart. While company officials acknowledge that the current software has some functionality issues, a soon-to-be-released updated version is expected to work out the kinks and deliver as promised.
“We’ve been working for several months on a release with new enhancements and functionality,” explains Steve Strittmatter, VIA vice president, in an interview with the VIN News Service. “It’s a typical case where we expected to get this software out during the first quarter of this year; however, we’ve been testing since October, and we’re now just getting ready to ship to clients.”
Whether those expectations will be met remains in question, and for now, the potential of what’s to come appears to have done little to ease user frustrations. Strittmatter believes that the majority of VIA's users are content with the current program.
"We have lots of satisfied users, and we're working hard to enhance the software to meet the needs of those who are dissatisfied," he says.
Dr. Sean Sawyer, a practitioner in Massachusetts, falls into the category of content VIA user. In response to Stewart's VIN post, he writes: "We have been using it for almost two years and have generally been happy with it other than a few quirks, many of which I found in other programs, too."
Feline practitioner Dr. Anne Sinclair, of Maryland, concurs: "I have VIA in my clinic and know that we do not use it to its potential."
That seems to be a sticking point, says Stewart, owner of Greenbrier Emergency Animal Hospital in Charlottesville, Va. He suspects that his practice has challenged the VIA system, considering he uses the program to generate paperless reports, track inventory, manage the practice's time clock and control its drug logs. He has a 48-inch television bolted to the wall that runs the VIA's digital whiteboard continuously.
"I'm so dependent on VIA," Stewart says, acknowledging that despite his disappointment with the software, VIA has been responsive to his concerns, even floating him additional support that typically costs extra.
Yet the company's efforts have failed to end Stewart's troubles, leaving the practitioner feeling trapped by a program that cost thousands of dollars to implement and now would present a hassle to eliminate.
That kind of aggravation is not novel, nor can such dissatisfaction be pinned only on VIA. Based on comments from veterinarians, it appears that virtually all practice management software companies have been heavily criticized, either for their programs or questionable sales pitches. For most software makers, advertising takes place in the exhibit halls of veterinary conferences. One of the profession's largest — Western Veterinary Conference — featured 21 software companies this year.
Today, VIA will wrap up its booth at Central Veterinary Conference in Baltimore, where more than 1,000 veterinarians likely walked the exhibit hall floor during the annual four-day gathering. It was during a meeting like this that Stewart claims he was reeled in by VIA, a company that “pulled its sales force off a used car lot.” Yet a search on VIN reveals that VIA does not stand alone when it comes to criticism. Dozens of message board discussions feature grumblings about other practice management systems including some of the biggest names in the veterinary market: IntraVet, ImproMed, AVImark, Cornerstone and DVMax.
“I’ve raised a pretty good stink because the VIA sales department was not in sync with the rest of the company,” Stewart says. “For example, they promised that I didn’t need to hire any tech person to put it all together, that it was a ‘point-and-shoot‘ system. Three thousand dollars in technical support later, and I am still having problems. I paid for a VIA training person to stay the day. It’s extremely complicated software that needs a bunch of drivers running, and if you have a hardware problem — even though VIA sold it to me — they can’t answer those questions. That is just the beginning.”
Veterinarians, as a group, are not known for their technological savvy, and Stewart admits that at his previous practices, he never used software to capacity: “We ran our clinics like everybody else does. I might have had all the same problems with DVMax, but I wouldn’t know. I never used its powers. It became just a billing tool for me.
“It wasn’t until VIA that I put both feet into the water. Maybe I’m asking too much of any software,” he muses.
What makes VIA’s situation unique lies with what’s happening with the company internally. Five years ago, Elkin Medical Systems, a leader in digital radiology and ultrasound equipment for veterinarians, purchased the boutique software maker. Then last July, VCA-Antech, Inc., merged with Elkin to become part of a corporate behemoth — one that operates and manages the largest network of freestanding veterinary hospitals and DVM-exclusive clinical laboratories in the country.
Stewart believes that as a VIA user, he’s been left behind as the software manufacturer struggles to find its place in the corporate takeover. His post drew others on VIN, some who shared stories of displeasure with VIA and those who talked of past software companies that left them “high and dry” by going out of business. Characterizing his own plight, one VIN member writes: “I spent an excessive amount of time researching what was available for veterinarians to the point I almost went insane.” Another VIN member expressed fears that since VCA-Antech, Inc., recently swallowed VIA as part of a merger, the deal could spell death for VIA programs.
“I have heard Antech has their own management software so they may soon drop support for VIA,” he writes. “I hope it turns out to be a false rumor.”
VIA executive Strittmatter admits that getting the updated software release out has been difficult, yet he promises that the company isn’t closing shop as backing by VCA-Antech has been positive.
In fact, VIA appears to be a major reason for VCA's purchase of Elkin. In a VIN News Service article about the buyout, VCA Chief Financial Officer Tomas Fuller indicated that VIA software would replace the $1.3-billion company's own practice management software, known as WoofWare.
As a result, VIA is experiencing what can be characterized as “growing pains,” Strittmatter says. Bob Antin, CEO of VCA-Antech, did not respond to phone calls from the VIN News Service seeking further clarification.
“I know that there are concerns that we’re going away, but that’s certainly not the case,” Strittmatter says. “We’ve just had our best quarter, with large installations, new sales and the new release. We’re certainly not perfect by any means, and the growth has been hard to keep up with. We’re working it out the best that we can.”
Stewart surmises that to create a greater picture of fiscal health as VCA-Antech shopped Elkin for the buyout, VIA sales staff made promises to prospective buyers that they could not keep.
Strittmatter refuted the idea that VIA supports such sales tactics and cringes at the suggestion. Yet Stewart builds on the speculation:
“They really pushed big at the conferences. They knew that they were going to be bought and had to make their numbers look good. I just don’t think they were ready to take on a practice like ours," Stewart contends.
Examples of Stewart’s problems with VIA software include programming that bars staff from creating canned estimates without hours of tedious data entry or drawing up easy-to-read discharge reports.
“As an emergency and referral clinic, we’ll get these cases on Friday that stay until Monday morning,” Stewart explains. “You might have five or six vets shifting through, each one needing to write a plan, evaluation, etc., but they can't just amend what is already in the system. The company doesn’t know how to handle this situation and has advised that each veterinarian write a new record and plan. That means that the animal would be discharged with 50 pages, and the local vet would have a book on this animal.
“Another option would be that the last vet would have to write a summary of the entire weekend,” he adds. “That is ridiculous. None of my vets would take a Sunday night shift because all they would do is write summaries.”
One bright spot with VIA has been its technical support staff, which Stewart praises for remaining helpful and friendly despite being on the receiving end of his frustrations. Most recently, a dilemma centered on Stewart's discovery that the program’s whiteboard time clock was recording information an hour ahead of the program’s medical records system.
It took just 24 hours for the company's service personnel to fix.
“I’m hoping that every VCA (hospital) employs VIA and that tightens the software," Stewart says. "If someone put the time and effort into VIA, it could be the best, hands down. It’s got the bones. The skeleton of VIA is brilliant. It just takes so much effort to dress it up or you can't use it.”
VIN News Service commentaries are opinion pieces presenting insights, personal experiences and/or perspectives on topical issues by members of the veterinary community. To submit a commentary for consideration, email news@vin.com.
Sorry, but you do not have authorization to view the news article you requested.
|
|

Search VIN news
All news categories
Follow us
|