Veterinary Office Management
Research Project
Veterinary Office Management Research Project: Veterinary
Computer Software
Emma-Lee Buffington
Student ID: 57735825
September 1st, 2023
, Veterinary Office Management 2
Research Project
Introduction
Have you ever wondered how technology has improved workflow in a veterinary
hospital? While working for my first veterinary clinic, we were “behind” on modern techniques
regarding filing and medical notations. More than half of our notes, appointments, and care notes were
all handwritten and with that being said, many mistakes were to follow. When I progressed to working
for another company, I was amazed by the usefulness and ease of computer software programs to run
everyday operations. Two well-known software companies include Covetrus Avimark and IDEXX
Cornerstone, each offering its own set of unique features and benefits. As you read, I will compare the
two competing software and describe my reasoning for my preference for Avimark.
Avimark
One of the leading brands in the veterinary profession is Henry Schien’s Covetrus.
According to Henry Schein Public Relations Manager Susan Vassollo, Henry Schein, which also oversees
Covetrus, is the largest distributor of healthcare products and offices, leading them to create Avimark
(Vassollo 2000). Covetrus Avimark is Henry Schein’s managing software system, which plays a major
role in daily operations in most veterinary clinics. Avimark offers many features with a variety of flexible
options that suit the needs of each clinic. Based on Covetrus’ information webpage, one of the many
functions that make Avimark a dominating software is easily readable patient view windows (Covetrus
2023). These virtual medical charts include all information about the specific patient, involving medical
history and identification. Avimark also lists the reminders for vaccinations and other procedures in a
clear area that can be color coded to show past due or current. The client information is also listed in a
divisional location that can be easily found. Another benefit to this program is the ability to add alerts to
each patient or client. These alerts can range from medical notices to the behavior of each animal. Key
components of Avimark also include inventory management, work lists for specific staff members,
, Veterinary Office Management 3
Research Project
follow-up lists for recently seen patients, and a whiteboard to manage current-day appointments as
listed on their website ((Avimark Veterinary Practice Solution - Covetrus, n.d). Finally, Avimark can
integrate with IDEXX to display laboratory results instantly and sends laboratory requests for send out
testing and in-house lab work. IDEXX’s Integration User Guide for Avimark, written in 2014, states, “All
test results are automatically downloaded into the electronic patient record and consolidated into a
single report. With any technological software, errors and bugs are bound to happen (Integration User
Guide for Avimark Software 2014, 2014). Luckily, Covetrus offers technical support through either
phone, request forms, or chat. If you ever come across the unfortunate situation of damaged computers
or data loss, Avimark also provides a data backup service. This service is automatically updating changes
and saves all the information both offsite and onsite cloud storage. Customer support is willing to assist
with backups, storage retrievals, and reinstalling as stated on their website. To learn more about all the
possibilities Avimark has to offer, online training courses are available through ACT. Training courses will
involve video-based training led by Avimark experts and interactive walk-throughs including real-life
situations that may occur.
Cornerstone
Avimark is not the only veterinary software on the market today. Another competitive
solution is IDEXX’s Cornerstone. IDEXX has been a leader in both diagnostic testing and inventory
management. As stated on IDEXX’s historical timeline written in 2015, IDEXX has been growing its
business since 1983 and in 2002 created Cornerstone (Historical Timeline - IDEXX,2015). Listed on
IDEXX’s website outlines the important features Cornerstone offers including but not limited to
diagnostic and imaging integration, accessible scheduling, electronic medical records, and printable
invoicing for clients (Cornerstone Features - IDEXX US, n.d.). Cornerstone also offers capabilities. One
feature that makes Cornerstone unique is the ability to change fonts and icons to specific preferences
that make reading and organizing easier for each clinic. IDEXX can also send veterinary office supplies for
Research Project
Veterinary Office Management Research Project: Veterinary
Computer Software
Emma-Lee Buffington
Student ID: 57735825
September 1st, 2023
, Veterinary Office Management 2
Research Project
Introduction
Have you ever wondered how technology has improved workflow in a veterinary
hospital? While working for my first veterinary clinic, we were “behind” on modern techniques
regarding filing and medical notations. More than half of our notes, appointments, and care notes were
all handwritten and with that being said, many mistakes were to follow. When I progressed to working
for another company, I was amazed by the usefulness and ease of computer software programs to run
everyday operations. Two well-known software companies include Covetrus Avimark and IDEXX
Cornerstone, each offering its own set of unique features and benefits. As you read, I will compare the
two competing software and describe my reasoning for my preference for Avimark.
Avimark
One of the leading brands in the veterinary profession is Henry Schien’s Covetrus.
According to Henry Schein Public Relations Manager Susan Vassollo, Henry Schein, which also oversees
Covetrus, is the largest distributor of healthcare products and offices, leading them to create Avimark
(Vassollo 2000). Covetrus Avimark is Henry Schein’s managing software system, which plays a major
role in daily operations in most veterinary clinics. Avimark offers many features with a variety of flexible
options that suit the needs of each clinic. Based on Covetrus’ information webpage, one of the many
functions that make Avimark a dominating software is easily readable patient view windows (Covetrus
2023). These virtual medical charts include all information about the specific patient, involving medical
history and identification. Avimark also lists the reminders for vaccinations and other procedures in a
clear area that can be color coded to show past due or current. The client information is also listed in a
divisional location that can be easily found. Another benefit to this program is the ability to add alerts to
each patient or client. These alerts can range from medical notices to the behavior of each animal. Key
components of Avimark also include inventory management, work lists for specific staff members,
, Veterinary Office Management 3
Research Project
follow-up lists for recently seen patients, and a whiteboard to manage current-day appointments as
listed on their website ((Avimark Veterinary Practice Solution - Covetrus, n.d). Finally, Avimark can
integrate with IDEXX to display laboratory results instantly and sends laboratory requests for send out
testing and in-house lab work. IDEXX’s Integration User Guide for Avimark, written in 2014, states, “All
test results are automatically downloaded into the electronic patient record and consolidated into a
single report. With any technological software, errors and bugs are bound to happen (Integration User
Guide for Avimark Software 2014, 2014). Luckily, Covetrus offers technical support through either
phone, request forms, or chat. If you ever come across the unfortunate situation of damaged computers
or data loss, Avimark also provides a data backup service. This service is automatically updating changes
and saves all the information both offsite and onsite cloud storage. Customer support is willing to assist
with backups, storage retrievals, and reinstalling as stated on their website. To learn more about all the
possibilities Avimark has to offer, online training courses are available through ACT. Training courses will
involve video-based training led by Avimark experts and interactive walk-throughs including real-life
situations that may occur.
Cornerstone
Avimark is not the only veterinary software on the market today. Another competitive
solution is IDEXX’s Cornerstone. IDEXX has been a leader in both diagnostic testing and inventory
management. As stated on IDEXX’s historical timeline written in 2015, IDEXX has been growing its
business since 1983 and in 2002 created Cornerstone (Historical Timeline - IDEXX,2015). Listed on
IDEXX’s website outlines the important features Cornerstone offers including but not limited to
diagnostic and imaging integration, accessible scheduling, electronic medical records, and printable
invoicing for clients (Cornerstone Features - IDEXX US, n.d.). Cornerstone also offers capabilities. One
feature that makes Cornerstone unique is the ability to change fonts and icons to specific preferences
that make reading and organizing easier for each clinic. IDEXX can also send veterinary office supplies for
