User Reviews
AVImark by McAllister Software Systems
USER REVIEWS - All reviews
Purchased Date: April 01, 2007
Hospital Administrator, Eagle's Landing Veterinary Hospital
May 03, 2011
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Pros
*Easy to learn the basics (under 10 minutes)
*Extensive features: Electronic Med. Records, appt. calendar, boarding & grooming calendar, whiteboard and patient tracking, inventory tracking, easily maintain current prices w/ markups, complete custom, and comprehensive reports on EVERYTHING, literally every aspect of your practice can be monitored, frequent updates, tight integration with inhouse and outside labs
*Extremely good support - short wait times, near instant responses to email support, long hours, knowledgeable long term support technicians. As a power user I correspond with support several times per week and am frequently impressed.
*Reporting and searching are amazing.
*Time card feature eliminates need for additional program
*Text Templating to speed entry of records
*Treatment groups and associations to avoid missed charges
*Very Easy backup & restore
*Allows multiple sites with shared or separate databases
*Powerful reminder system
Cons
*Works best on wired networks (though I utilize several wireless workstations)
*Has so many features it can take time to discover and use them all.
*User interface is easy to use but looks slightly dated
*Currently lacking in some policy enforcement options within the program
Overall
Our hospital uses AVImark for every aspect of our daily activity. We clock in mornings, review our appointment calendar, check-in patients and print necessary documents, and enter treatments, items, and charges. Our doctors enter all of their medical data into the program including diagnoses, problems, and notes. The program prints Client Ed information as needed. The clients check-out and are charged via AVImark. We make follow-up calls to every patient using the system in AVImark. At the end of the day I review the day's activity, compare the doctor's statistics using the program. Finally we use it to send reminders and statements to all of our clients.
Due to this extensive usage I am intimately familiar with the program, the support technicians, and all of it's features. All are top notch. I highly recommend AVImark to anyone who asks. The costs is very competitive, the support costs are very inexpensive, and the program is excellent.
Purchased Date: April 01, 2006
Practice Owner, Gigis Medical, LLC
April 18, 2011
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Pros
Relatively inexpensive software system for veterinary use.
Cons
They have gone up, on their technical support pricing, every year by more that 10% since 2006. The cost for technical support last year was $950.00. This year, without notice, they sent me a bill for annual technical support for $1145.00. They sold out to Butlerthis year, and it would appear that they've decided to take advantage of the clients who have entrusted their operating systems to them.
Overall
Do not purchase. I am going to find a new operating system and switch.
Purchased Date: January 01, 1997
Office Manager, Cross Winds Clinic
November 04, 2010
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Pros
Stable. Works well with or without using actual server software. Though MS Windows limits the number of terminals that can be active without running Windows Server. I believe that number is 7 but don't quote me.
Very flexible. Allows for complex management of Inventory and Treatment groups. User can custom configure many many options.
EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SUPPORT. Granted they do charge a fairly steep yearly maintenance fee (near $1,000/yr) but their staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Support is vital if your a new practice owner and want things to be able to work.
Reminder generation is easy, and very customizable. AVImark also integrates with a variety of 3rd part reminder companies if you don't want to stamp and mail your own. Also built in email reminders as well.
Not sure what original reviewer was referring to when she stated no variances allowed in estimates. Been using AVImark for over 10 years and for as long I can remember this is possible.
Cons
If you want to be completely paperless...AVImark isn't completely there yet from what I have read of hospitals that have tried it. It's workable, just not as refined as it could be. Again haven't tried it personally.
Email reminder system built into AVImark has limited reporting systems built into it. For example it won't print a report after of whom it just e-mailed. There are workarounds to this but AVImark needs to work on this.
Overall
Having used Impromed, Cornerstone and AVImark I prefer AVImark. Granted the versions of Impromed and Cornerstone I used were years ago and I can't comment on how far they have come. But we bought AVImark when it was the least used Practice Management Software on the market. In that time it has grown to be I believe the most widely used software. There are usually good reasons for such wide acceptance.
> Vendor Responses
Thank you for your review! AVImark is installed at some clinics with over 100 workstations and each site license comes with unlimited work stations. As you mentioned, you do need a Windows Server Operating System if you plan on having a large number of workstations accessing AVImark (10 is the current limitation for Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista Professional, and Windows 7 Professional.)
Regarding paperless and emailing, we have many clinics utilizing both in their daily environment and provide enhancements with every release to further increase the capabilities and ease of use for both areas.
11/09/2010 by McAllister Software Systems
Purchased Date: January 01, 2000
Receptionist, Central Veterinary Clinic
October 20, 2009
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Pros
Good layout, organizes clinic information very well, lots of key tools to run a clinic smoothly. Technical support available when needed during clinic hours. Get updates once a year and easy to upload.
Cons
No variance for estimates, totals for estimates don't print, also estimate Tx and inventory items are not alphabatized when printed out. Linking inventory to Tx items need to have less steps. NO seminars in western Canada. Practice analysis has had the 'coming soon' message for inventory and service graphs for a long time. Avimark not available on Mac computers... Want to be able to move obselete inventory items under their own catergory and removed from active items. Some owners not that imaginative for pet names, please allow repeat of names for new pets.
Overall
Please take actions on noted concerns.
> Vendor Responses
Thank you for taking the time to write a review.
We do have a variance feature on estimates by pricing, amount, or percentage. One thing we are working towards is being able to vary the inventory dosage linked to the treatment on the estimate and have it adjust the variance amount on the estimate in addition to the methods that exist.
You should be able to create a category for inventory's obsoletes and move the items to the category by dragging and dropping them.
11/09/2010 by McAllister Software Systems
