I have been involved with optometric management software for a few decades, with the development of the Total Optometric Management System (TOMS). It always amazes me how practice management software is often considered just another expense, like a copier lease or a phone bill. Yet it adds so much value to the practice's functioning. Have you ever thought, if it were possible that somebody stole your practice software, how much would you pay to get it back? The realisation of its worth will take on another perspective as soon as you try to cope without it. American research has shown that one of the top considerations in choosing a software package is backup service. However, backup service requires human resources, which costs money. It is unrealistic to expect excellent backup service whilst demanding a rock-bottom fee for the software. Another way to look at it is to compare the value your top employee brings to the party with what your software package brings. I say, your software should at least have the same monthly value as your top employee’s salary.
Let me dig a bit deeper to justify the added value of Humint Online Software for Optometry.
As an online system, there is no need for expensive servers and network cables. It works with any appliance that supports a browser. The software is hosted in the Cloud. Backups are done automatically on your behalf every hour.
Humint has an integrated accounting module that reduces the cost of purchasing an accounting package such as Pastel. This saves hours of capturing invoices.
Financial reports will red-flag issues that can affect the net profit. These problems can be addressed immediately before becoming chronic leaks, which, over time, erode net profit.
Overall financial management, with the Mini Income Statement, becomes a breeze that will maximise profits.
MediSwitch verification allows real-time medical aid claims, which does wonders for cash flow and eliminates the need for staff to sit on the phone for confirmation.
The paperless online patient records save time and money by eliminating the need to re-enter data in the dispensing, orders, and lab departments. Once the optometrist or dispenser has entered the RX and instructions, it just travels down the line. No more mistakes with re-capturing. Finding a patient record becomes instant. No more manually pulling patient records and filing them again. No more cabinets taking up space required for paper records.
Job tracking is another excellent plus. Do away with space-hogging trays and replace them with a digital KanBan view of jobs at every stage. Drag and drop jobs as they move through the production process, while automating patient communication through SMS and email. A big saving of labour hours.
Multiple locations – Humint can operate multiple branches from the same instance, making it ideal for a multi-practice owner. Log in once to access all your practices from the same interface. Stock transfers between branches are seamless, and every patient record is available at every branch.
Stock control – an advanced inventory module enables barcode-based stock takes. Multi-practice instances can leverage shared stock databases, enabling easy interbranch transfers without re-barcoding. Shared stock databases also allow for cross-branch inventory management.
Humint has a highly sophisticated CRM module. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is a strategy to manage interactions with customers and potential customers. CRM helps to streamline processes, build customer relationships, increase sales, improve customer service, and increase profitability. This alone is worth more than your monthly Humint fee.
Human resources will have a profound effect on your human resource requirements. It allows one to redeploy personnel and improve service levels.
Introducing Humint will have a huge impact on your human resource requirements, financial security, turnover, expenses, costly mistakes, and profitability. Humint will add more Rand value than any other piece of equipment in your practice and probably more than what you pay your top employee. One patient per month will pay for it, or put differently, you can have it for about R100 per day.