We transitioned from an opposition product and in preparation had three of our team attend some training at Vetlink in Auckland where we focussed on products and services in anticipation of our go live date. Unfortunately we did not get as prepared as we would have like but proceeded with our go live date anyway. I am pleased to report it well really well with minimal stress, frustration or headaches. We chose to make amendments to products and services as we went and experienced very few issues. Our data conversion and going live was overseen by Clive and after 2 days we were away with the practice barely noticing a hiccup. We anticipated some challenges with such an enormous change but it went very easily. Clive did a fantastic job of ensuring data converted well and also of making sure we knew how to make changes etc in the new system without overloading us with too much detail. I had anticipated that a software change of this type would cost the practice in terms of productivity and turnover but I would think that in reality there has been no real turnover cost with this change. I am pleased to say that within 2 weeks of going live we were in the process of looking at all the new opportunities the program has given us. Getting help is easy and all calls for help have been answered in a very timely and uncomplicated manner. Helpdesk staff members are always approachable and communicate easily about any of the issues we have had.

The software logically achieves everything you would expect from a practice management system of this type. The built in word processor is functional and interfaces well with handouts, certificates etc and avoids costly licensing for other word processors. The emailing documents and histories capability is fantastic as is the two way text messaging. The diary works well and has enabled very efficient use of our staffing levels. It has been easy to connect and print various documents to networked printers. The capability of having different users having different configurations is also a really great feature as it allows different staff to access different devices depending on their physical location and their practice role ie the admin team can use their own printer for letterhead or accounts stationary whilst the front office can use A5 receipt stationary and the vets can use another different printer for blood results, reports etc and all of them can also access the drug label printer. The ability to separate the invoice from the history for a particular visit is really neat and useful, the front office can get on with taking the money whilst the vets complete the history recording in another room.

There is very little not to like and it would seem all features can be customised to work how you want them or be disabled completely. We personally have experienced some issues with being able to have multiple patients on the same invoice but I have a colleague in a neighbouring practice who loves being able to do this.

I would recommend that you move to the CFL cloud environment as soon as your server gets close to warranty. For multi-branch clinics, just do it now, and get rid of those Spark VPN bills. It's also great not having to apply updates all the time & if you need to increase the performance of the cloud server due to changing demands it only takes minutes, not hours.

At Rappaw we have five very busy clinics with 29 terminals. We used to run a central server for VetLinkSQL and a PACS Server for digital x-ray image backup at our main branch. As our servers got older and required replacement we were advised to look at cloud options. The CFL team assisted us to migrate to their Amazon cloud environment, and honestly, it was smoother than we had anticipated. In addition to VetLinkSQL, we also saw it as a good opportunity to move our PACS Server with all our digital DICOM images to the cloud with fully automated backups! Since migrating to the cloud hosted version of VetLinkSQL, we have very happy branch clinics who report an increase in speed – that’s because they now connect directly to the cloud, instead of via a slow Spark VPN (Virtual Private Network) to our own local server. As we are running an open source PACS server (Conquest), I was pleased how easy it was to migrate all the images and PACS software to the cloud too. Everything runs very smoothly and the migration experience went very well. CFL were great doing all the data migration & setup online. The new routers & direct cloud connection via UFB (Ultra-Fast Broadband) meant that we could move away from the expensive, outdated Spark VPN we were previously using. We just had to connect the Computers, Thin clients, Tablets, and Printers to the internet & it all worked amazingly well.

None at present time.

Colourful Diary screen enables easy adjustment of appointments to a different time, longer or a different vet or day. SMS appointment reminders work well. I like that an email message or sms sent to a client through the system is documented and can be reviewed. The quote system works well. There are lots of reporting options.

Sometimes there are glitches with the messaging not getting through. The reminders are complex with letters, sms and emails going out on various runs. If there is a problem here it is very concerning that they may not be received. I am not sure if other software make this easier? We always get it sorted but it can be very time consuming.

increased productivity, efficiency, client compliance.

Program itself - surprises on every single time of updates making it not only user-friendly but also environmentally friendly (eforms / invoicing), promotes efficiency (stocklink app, in-house and external lab integration), client compliance (reminder system), e-marketing (loyalty system, email marketing etc). I'm always excited to read their update notes and highlight the great ideas and immediately implementing and sharing with my whole team. More importantly is the CFL team - always friendly and supportive. From initial meeting, demo, installation, training, through to minor glitches and major crisis (virus attack into our internal network unrelated to Vetlink program); every single interactions have been positive , supportive and professional. From receiving our phone call reporting about the virus attack to teaming up with our local technician and restoring it back to previous night's backup was only a few hours; during the panic moments kept reassuring us everything will be ok and will bring us back in a few hours and they did! A nice team to work with from the CEO (Deven) to the technical support team and administrative team - everyone that we have to contact has been friendly, supportive and professional. A team that will work with you and listen to your feedback and improve the program in the next update. In summary, exceptional and impressive customer service!

Other than some teething issues in the beginning of using it, nothing really :) My comments is too short apparently - so to make it longer, I finally thought of something that I don't like is their update notes are too long as they improve so many things in every single update and I had trouble catching up!

Initial tech support was really good - quality dropped of as time went by and it became more difficult to get ahold of them. We upgraded because previous software wasn't able to intergrate with idexx or radiographs etc. Super easy to record radiographs/photos with the additional ipad applications. Ability to requisition diagnostics (reduces amount of diagnostics not charged out correctly)

Reliance on having to manually run the background so everything syncs. Have to build templates/forms within the software. Difficult to find sms communication history for a client when its sent through the system. Reminders again have to be actioned manually (we now use a third party) **Automatic Online booking is not a feature!! - Online booking is clunky and manual involving emails.

Make are clinic run smothly

The software is easy to learn, we changed over from another vet software. The change over was easy and we had great support to teach us the new program. Once we got going we found the program easy to use and fitted in well for our mixed animal practice. The back up tech support is friendly and helpful, and always available to help us. We are not a computer savi clinic, so probably ask some really dumb questions which they always help us with. The nurses find the program easy to use, and the flow of patient/client from waiting room, to consult/treatment/ hospital/ discharge is easy to follow and see where patients or clients are up to. For large animal patients program works well for planning and charging out invoices. Very happy to talk to any one about programme if considering changing over .

would like a better spell checker, myself and two other nurses are dyslexic so need to make it easier for us

We have been running versions of Vetlink for 20 yrs in a LAN setup . Recently we had a moderate problem with a data file that we thought had completely disappeared. For ease of use we save relevant digital Xrays to Vetlink which are attached to the animal files for easy access. Recently, for unknown reasons that file disappeared and as expected it was a week or two before this was detected. We do run a back up system that was recommended and installed by Vetlink about 2 years ago. As with any backup system - you seldom try it out and when you do - you hope like hell it works . Well it did work and very well indeed!! It took a hour or so to have the Xray file up and running with all the links back to the animal files intact.

It is robust and I can count on one hand in the past 20 years that the software system crashed. Of course there are minor glitches every so often but that is usually a phone call and they come in remotely to fix it - whilst the system still runs. They are only a phone call away and the 'help desk' know their stuff and can often talk you through most things.

There is a lot of parts too it! They are changing / evolving to keep up with the changing technology - takes a bit for 'non-computer' buffs to keep up!

Ease of use, portability and support

Time zone difference allows for early problem solving if any. Updates occur effortlessly. Ease of use and mobility of whole database

Colour sheme!!- I like bright colours. Can't set up a recurring lock for individual vets on certain days for research etc- must be set up as an appointment.

The VetLinkSQL online booking system has integrated so seamlessly into our daily appointment scheduling. More than 100 of our consultations per month are booked online. The easy, user friendly format and convenience of around the clock appointment requests both increases our level of client service, and reduces the volume of phone calls through our reception. Overall, I think the online booking system created by VetLinkSQL has been one of their best additions.

Very innovative company that comes up with new and exciting features all the time. Excellent customer support!

Not a lot to complain about. Would love to see more training webinars.

This software has improved our efficiency and capabilities. Well Done.

We moved to VetlinkSQL 18 months ago and we have not looked back. We had a list of requirements that we required out of our veterinary practice management software and VetlinkSQL stood head and shoulders above the alternative options available. The product is easy to use at all levels and if there is ever an issue the support team have all the answers and they do this in a timely manner. Some of the extras that have really added to the experience include the mobile app for our large animal vets in the field, the SMS and email capabilities, the integration with our laboratory equipment and the ability to store images and documents on patient and client files. We also really appreciate that VetlinkSQL is continually developing and improving and that their team is very open to feedback and suggestions.

Most areas of opportunity that we have come across have been addressed, currently we have a couple of suggestions on the board in regard to the main diary screen. As it has been with other proposals we do expect these to be addressed

While the software is very powerful, it is really easy to use and has huge functionality for all types of practices, especially for our equine side of the business. What we like is that the software is continually upgraded with new features from requests we make. For example, we wanted better stock management for our equine and farm vehicles so they have created an App that allows a really easy way for Vets to transfer stock to their cars, even if they are in a hurry we now use this App which has reduced our Stock Shrinkage by 50% this year! Finally I think the helpdesk is very good and the familiar support staff are excellent.

We don't have too many dislikes but it would be good to get some more advanced training for our staff and have regular visits to get the best out of the software.

Ease of use and ability to attach various client forms to a record

The ability to add on more features as your needs grow and you become more familiar with the software

Not knowing which team member has performed an action. Anyone can be selected from the drop down where that option is available but for general use it is not convenient to have each user log on/off to perform an action.

We have migrated from one cloud based server which was hosting our VetLinkSQL software to cloud based hosting through VetLinkSQL and the process has been seamless. We have gone from a system that was extremely expensive, continually offline, very frustrating with a very unhelpful "help" desk, to a fast, integrated system. For our business it means we are able to contact one provider for our PMS system and our other software needs. The other huge benefit is we are financially far better off, which means improvement to our bottom line.

We have some frustrations with not knowing what we can do with the software. The developers are continually updating and innovating the software, and unfortunately we are lagging behind.

Marketing experts say that every business should have a 'Unique Selling Proposition' to lift them above the competition. They also say that there is a business life cycle phase made up of 'Start Up', 'Growth', 'Levelling Off' and then usually 'Decline'. I am pleased to be able to report that not only does VETLINKSQL have an incredible product, they also very definitely have the most amazing USP, and even more amazingly, after so many years in business, are still very much in the 'Growth Phase' of the life cycle. Gail and myself, as owners of Redlands Veterinary Clinic, are proud to be able to say that we have been delighted clients of VETLINKSQL since we installed it many years ago. We researched the available software programs and immediately decided that VETLINKSQL had all the attributes that best suited our practice. That decision has been more than justified over the years. We could not be more happy with our investment. The product is extremely powerful, (hacks like ourselves have no chance of ever fully utilising the capabilities), easy to use, and at the top of the list, is the wonderful help and support desk which seemingly find no problems that can't be solved in what seems to be an instant. The program seems to be changing constantly with new innovations and rapid progression into the digital age at the forefront. Fortunately our practice now has younger members and are taking to the new features like ducks to water. So, what is this USP. Back in the mid-nineties when we sourced the product, Deven Patel, the then product developer (and now CEO), visited our practice to demonstrate the features of their original DOS product. Now, more than twenty years later, the very same Deven is still visiting our practice inflicting his infectious enthusiasm upon us, and astounding us with his knowledge and innovations with their new product. Certainly no other Veterinary software company, and very few suppliers of any product, can boast that their CEO and principal product development manager is still at the very shopfront of their company and providing such wonderful customer service, even after their client base has grown to hundreds of clinics worldwide . Well done Deven, and the team at VETLINKSQL!

As with most hospitals, we were always busy and were taking our time to move to the cloud with VetLinkSQL. Then it happened. Our server crashed with multiple drive failures, and our tech was out of options. We sent a single SOS email to CFL and they immediately fired up a cloud server, transferred our database that they always backed up for us in their cloud, and had 10 users up and running before the end of day! Honestly amazing service and such an incredible relief to be back up and running so quickly! This is why we have stayed with VetLinkSQL all these years. Thank you rep team, we appreciate your response to “Disaster Recovery” and give it 6 stars!

Extremely easy to use with a huge number of features and numerous third party integrations. Their helpdesk is fantastic. What we really like is continual innovation that assists our business to streamline our processes.

Not much to report as they are really responsive if and when we do have a problem.

we could not run our business successfully without it!

I have used this software for many years, and have been impressed with the development and introduction of innovative features based on changing client needs over time. We have recently transitioned to the cloud-based version and this went very smoothly. Integration with our laboratory services provider, sms, and smartflow is working very well for us. The software is customisable and flexible and works very well for our medium sized small animal practice.

As the software has been written specifically for the veterinary practice, and developed over a long period of time (with additions and customisable options added over time) it takes a little time for a new staff member or locum to become familiar with the software. This, however is likely the case with most software programmes.

We chose Vetlink over all competitors because of its long term features, customer support and user friendliness. Vetlink enabled us more to engage with our client's rather than via phone or post, which in the long term, saved us time and money. Would highly recommend for any forward thinking Veterinary Surgery and one that certainly is looking for a product to take it to the next IT level in an ever expanding IT world.

Functionality and ability to email and SMS clients of their animal reminders, appointments and to be able to send histories direct to other third parties.

Very different to what we had been using which was Vetcare - so took some time to get to know the expansive features (not being IT savvy). Some of the reporting I found I needed technical help with, but Vetlink backup was always there to support us. Once I got the hang of it, it was easier.

'

I find VETLINKSQL to be very easy to use despite not having had any formal training on it yet. Whenever I do have a question, the help desk staff are always available and happy to help. Recently, [SENSITIVE CONTENT HIDDEN], visited our clinic to introduce a new staff member and while here he took some time to show me several features I wasn't aware of that have saved me valuable time and reduced mine and our staff's workload considerably. Thanks [SENSITIVE CONTENT HIDDEN]!'

Whenever there are upgrades, as one of the first clinics to trial the newer version, we sometimes get frustrated with the little issues that might pop up - however, this is to be expected with any upgrade trial and the helpdesk team work quickly to resolve them.

The ease of communication with clients to save time. You don't have to press save every time! Always getting updates and new ways of doing things.

clipboards are hard to see and not that obvious. There are numerous icons happy and sad faces etc which re not that intuitive or easy to understand.

This software meets all our needs. It is constantly being improved on and made more efficient to ensure it keeps up with changing markets and legislative changes within the industry. When we looked at upgrading our software we looked at all the leading veterinary software packages in the market at the time and Vetlink was hands down the best out there and still is.

Easy navigation, comprehensive fully integrated software from client/animal records to appointment booking to sales and marketing and accounting. The development of the software is very progressive and with an industry focused strategy.

To be honest not a lot I dont like, but would like to see a better reporting module that lets you create the reports you want with the information you want rather than standard reports.

“Just amazed as how quickly and smoothly I got moved to the cloud! You wouldn't believe it but one of my in-house server RAID hard drive died on a Thursday, so I ordered a replacement (HP drives are not cheap) and before it even arrived the second RAID hard failed the very next day - Friday! I called up VetLinkSQL and they were able to fire up their cloud server, configure it, and get us up and running in their cloud, with our complete database by the next day (Saturday). The whole system is running so smoothly we can’t even tell the difference, except that we will never have to purchase a server again or worry about failing drives. Added bonus is that no VPN and so on to access from home or my phone!

Intuitive for users! and easy to transition across to the cloud!!

not much , VetlinkSQL staff were great to work with and VERY accommodating!!

It is the complete practice management package!

The software has evolved over time and continues to evolve. Deven Patel is always happy to provide support and do his best to ensure the product meets our expectations. CFL is always happy to listen to our ideas and customize the software where ever possible. The recent innovations are excellent. The abilities of Vetlink to interact with products like Smartflow and our Idexx in house lab equipment help to improve work flows and efficiency.

Reporting. While the software has the ability to customize reports, this is not always simple. I understand there are developments in the pipeline to improve this.

The day to day organisation of appointments for different staff members. The ability to have several staff using the program in different areas of the business.

Not having complete tracability of invoices that have been cancelled or deleted.But this will be a feature in the future which will assist us .

Affordable and very user friendly.

Always developing new features. Very easy to access customer support and talk to someone who knows what they are doing. Simple to use and very short learning curve. Change over from old system was nearly seamless.

It will still take a bit of time to develop all the features I would like, but that is a long list and is quite specific so I don't think anyone else could do it all either, and I don't think other companies would be so keen to listen to new ideas.

We moved to VetlinkSQL 4 years ago after using another product which was outdated and clunky. Very happy with the decision and the support we receive. The software is evolving with new features each year that keep up with changing technology and changing business needs.

This software is relatively easy to learn to use and its colour coding helps with the visuals without having to search for appointment status. All the tasks you need are available.

Searching for specific types of records can be difficult to work out. But this is a more complex task anyway. Adding a staff member for a day not already in their roster doesn’t bring in double-booking function.