What Are Software Integrations, and Why Should Veterinary Teams Care?
Raise your hand if you like…
- Entering the same data in multiple systems.
- Internal miscommunication.
- Wasting time with entering and finding information.
- Having several critical software programs open on your computer at the same time that you have to switch between all day.
Your hand probably isn’t up. If it’s not, this is why software integrations are important. Connected software streamlines data entry, improves data integrity and communication, saves time retrieving and analyzing information, and simplifies day-to-day workflows.
Software integrations connect your software programs to each other to consolidate the data entry and retrieval process (instead of switching between several programs to find what you’re looking for).
In veterinary medicine, the most important single source of truth database is your Practice Management Information System (PIMS). Supplemental software systems often seek to integrate into your PIMS to enable you to find and analyze comprehensive information.
Common PIMS systems in veterinary medicine include:
- IDEXX Cornerstone
- IDEXX Neo
- AVImark
- eVetPractice
- ezyVet
- Impromed
Not all integrations are the same. If your clinic is operating on an older PIMS that is not cloud-based, your data syncing between platforms will likely not happen in real time. PIMS that are not cloud-based live on your computers in your clinic. This means they’re not accessible in real time by the internet. Data pushes are therefore typically scheduled in batches — usually after business hours so they don’t impact internal workflow.
Cloud-based PIMS are the new trend in veterinary medicine. These platforms make it much easier for third-party software applications to integrate and pass data in real time between systems due to their internet accessibility.
Software consolidation
Integrating software within your PIMS allows you to streamline workflow — and consolidate software. Often, standalone software has redundant features across disparate systems. By integrating software into your PIMS, you can add on just the features you need instead of managing several platforms with crossover functionalities.
Did you know that the average clinic uses 6-8 apps for client communication alone?
Common pet owner communication applications include:
- OpenPhone
- PayJunction
- Weave
- HelloSign
- PandaDoc
- FaceTime
- iMessage
- Zoom
- Skype
- AllyDVM
- Jotform
- Vet2Pet
- Zipwhip
- PetDesk
- PetPro Connect
- Clover
- Vetstoria
- PetHealthNetwork
- Constant Contact
- MailChimp
- Rapport
- Slack
- iMessage
- Google Forms
- DocuSign
- SurveyMonkey
…and the list goes on.
This problem of unconnected systems was exacerbated when COVID shutdowns happened. Clinics were forced to quickly adapt to a virtual-visit world and started using systems like Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime that were more suitable for business applications than veterinary medicine as a quick fix.
Times have changed and more appropriate solutions for veterinary practice have risen to meet the moment of need in veterinary medicine. These comprehensive communication platforms were developed to save staff time in the face of unprecedented staff shortages, delight pet owners, and provide unparalleled communication utility for veterinary teams.
The rise of veterinary-specific PIMS-integrated software designed for comprehensive communication
Power-house software suites such as Flow by Otto now exist that can consolidate all of your communication applications into one simplified solution. Flow seamlessly integrates with your current PIMS (and third-party apps if you decide to keep any of them) to give you a powerful communication platform that consolidates all your critical information into your PIMS.
Here’s how Otto can consolidate your communication tech stack, and ensure your PIMS is always up-to-date:
2-Way Texting. Ditch your clinic burner phone, or stop giving out your personal phone number. Flow allows you to text with pet parents and answer common questions with just one click.
Appointment Reminders. Are you looking for a way to send reminders and confirmations to your clients? Flow offers customizable messages you can send out to your clients to remind them of upcoming appointments or to confirm their upcoming appointment. These automated messages will help your clinic decrease no-shows and last minute cancellations.
Digital Forms. Are you using Google forms to collect patient intake data? If you are then your team is wasting valuable time transferring that information into your PIMS. Flow allows you to collect forms digitally that go directly into your PIMS. Flow can even collect the intake data you need from a text-message conversation with pet parents, providing clients with a wow experience and your staff with a sigh of relief.
Payments. Instead of sending DocuSigns or HelloSigns before surgery, use Flow to collect pre-visit payments. These payments can be collected via text message to make sure your critical payment messages don’t get stuck in the SPAM folder. Level up your payment capabilities with Payments by Otto. Payments by Otto saves clinics more than $10,000/year on average on processing fees, expedites checkout, streamlines reporting, and reconciles your payments into your PIMS.
