OfficeMate and ExamWRITER User Documentation Wins New Awards

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Carrie C.

Carrie and Michael display the awards that they won for the Eyefinity documentation at the awards banquet.

Did you achieve meaningful use in 2011 and receive stimulus money from the government as part of the HITECH Act? Are you working to achieve meaningful use in 2012? If meeting the government’s requirements for the EHR Incentive Program is a part of your business plan, then you probably are probably using a document written by Carrie Chambers, the Director of Documentation at Eyefinity, to help you complete the required steps in OfficeMate/ExamWRITER to achieve meaningful use. This document, “Achieving Meaningful Use with OfficeMate/ExamWRITER” recently won an Award of Excellence in the 2011–2012 Society for Technical Communication (STC) Southern California Technical Documentation Competition.

In addition to the meaningful use documentation, the “Backing Up & Restoring Data” document, written by Michael Opsteegh, Senior Technical Writer at Eyefinity, won an Award of Merit in the competition. Hopefully, you have a proven backup solution in place for all of your OfficeMate/ExamWRITER data files! When you set up your solution (or, if, unfortunately, you had to use your solution to restore your files), you probably read this document to ensure that you always backup (and restore, if necessary) your OfficeMate/ExamWRITER files correctly.

These two pieces of Eyefinity documentation were recognized for their excellence in technical communication. The judges commented that the “Achieving Meaningful Use with OfficeMate/ExamWRITER” document is comprehensive, consistent, professional, and visually-appealing. They noted that the “Backing Up & Restoring Data” document is engaging, well written and organized, and very easy to understand.

The Southern California STC chapters sponsored the technical documentation competition to recognize and encourage excellence in communication through printed and online media. The competition honors technical writers and editors who set the standard for published technical communication.

If you are working to achieve meaningful use, be sure to refer to the “Achieving Meaningful Use with OfficeMate/ExamWRITER” document as you work in OfficeMate/ExamWRITER. And, if you need help backing up and restoring your OfficeMate/ExamWRITER data files, read the “Backing Up & Restoring Data” document. In addition to these documents, the Documentation team at Eyefinity has published an ever-expanding library of helpful information – check it out at OfficeMate.net!

Filed under: Eyefinity, HITECH, meaningful use | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Are you selling sunwear throughout the year? Here are 5 tips to help to help you sell it year round

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Webmaster

Everyone needs sunwear—children, athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and contact lens wearers. But do your patients know that?

Check out 5 quick tips to help you sell sunwear year round, not just during the sunny months.

  1. Know your patients. Ask about hobbies and interests. You may uncover a sunwear need.
  2. Encourage prescription sunwear. Sports and outdoor enthusiasts need prescription sunwear to achieve optimal performance. Get the latest from Maui Jim, Oakley, Rudy Project, and Smith Optics through eBuy now. Take advantage of the Rx validation through eBuy, which guarantees the lens fits the frame, for faster turnaround.
  3. Mention polarized lenses. Show your patients how they eliminate glare and block harmful UV rays.
  4. Keep sunwear on your board. Offer a selection of the latest frames at all times.
  5. Offer specials and promotions. If you advertise sunwear, patients will inquire.

eBuy is the perfect place to conveniently dress your dispensary with the latest in sunwear and much more. Start ordering today.

Filed under: best practices, eBuy, Education, sunwear | Leave a Comment »

VSP Survey Finds Optometry Students Face Financing Hurdles When Pursuing Goal of Private Practice

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Webmaster

Vision Monday shares highlights of a new study by VSP that underscores the financial challenges many optometry students run into when trying to enter private practice:

In a newly released study of career patterns among new optometry school graduates, VSP Vision Care surveyed optometry students during their third year in school along with their first year in practice, and discovered that 72 percent of respondents during their third year in school preferred to start their careers through private practice ownership, but only 15 percent of respondents became an independent eyecare professional practice owner in their first year of practice. 
Additional findings of the study show that: 

• 84 percent of third-year optometry students surveyed expect to own a private practice in the next five years. 
• During that same group’s first year in practice, 58 percent of respondents expect to own a private practice in the next five years. 
• 85 percent of first-year optometrists surveyed earn $99,999 or less 
• 76 percent of that same group carry $100,000 or more in debt 

As part of its commitment to supporting the continued success of private practice optometry, VSP Vision Care has programs available to help optometry students and optometry professionals enter private practice. Together VSP Vision Care and Essilor of America have distributed more than $54 million through the Vision Loans Program since its launch in 2003. The loans provide optometrists financing for first-time practice purchases, partnership buy-ins and refinance options. 

Since 2000, VSP has invested more than $1 million in financial awards to support nearly 200 optometry students interested in entering private practice. During the 2010-11 academic year, scholarships totaling $136,000 were provided by VSP to fourth-year optometry students across the country and Puerto Rico. 

“As the pressures of entering private practice and competition from alternative eyecare delivery channels grows so does our commitment to finding new and innovative approaches to keeping private practice strong for generations to come,” said Jim McGrann, president of VSP Vision Care. “We look forward to sharing some of those ideas in 2012.” 

Additional information about the scholarships and Vision Loans Program provided by VSP, Essilor of America and Vision One Credit Loans is available at www.vspglobal.com.

Filed under: private practice | Leave a Comment »

Taking the Show on the Road

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Webmaster

ExamWRITER Educational Event logoWhat do Orlando, Phoenix, Houston, Pittsburgh, Boston, and San Francisco have in common? Give up? They are all destinations for ExamWRITER Educational Events in 2012. That’s right, we’re taking the show on the road, and we’re coming to a city near you!

It can be difficult at times to focus and fully engage with online training with the competing priorities that arise in the office. Sometimes it’s better to schedule time outside of the office where you can focus on training and learn how to get the most out of your ExamWRITER software. The ExamWRITER Educational Events are a great way to escape the distractions of the office and learn the advanced features of ExamWRITER in a hands-on setting. These interactive, in-depth workshops offer valuable face-time with experienced corporate trainers and industry experts.

These advanced courses for experienced ExamWRITER users are two days (Friday and Saturday). If you’re new to ExamWRITER, we strongly encourage you also to take the Thursday course for a total of three days (Thursday–Saturday).

In addition to the ExamWRITER training, we’re now also offering concurrent OfficeMate training in Orlando and Pittsburgh. This Friday–Saturday hands-on training will enable office staff to learn how to better manage the practice with the advanced features in the latest version of OfficeMate.

It is becoming increasingly important that your office harnesses the full power of OfficeMate/ExamWRITER. The ExamWRITER Educational Events are a great way to invest in the productivity and profitability of your office.

For dates, locations, and costs go to officemate.net/ossu_extension.aspx.

Filed under: Education | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Flexon Extreme Frames for Active Lifestyle

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Webmaster


Do you have the top-selling ophthalmic frame brand in the U.S. on your frame board? The product of choice for more than 20 million wearers, Flexon embodies the very best in eyewear, with memory metal that bounces back into shape, even after accidental bending. Flexon frames offer the wearer extreme flexibility, fit, comfort, durability, and style.

Exceptional eyewear that’s 25% lighter than standard metal frames, Flexon offers more than 200 frames in various styles and brands, including Autoflex, Flexon Magnetics, Flexon Kids, Nike with Flexon, X Games with Flexon, and Tres Jolie with Flexon. Flexon offers affordable prices with a two-year guarantee against defects in material and workmanship.

Marchon is the exclusive manufacturer of Flexon. Ask your Marchon sales consultant about incorporating Flexon into your practice or see the entire Flexon catalog on eBuy.

Filed under: product news, sunwear, technology, Tips | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

2011 Year In Review

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Webmaster

A Message from Steve Baker, President, Eyefinity: 

Steve Baker

Were you as surprised as I was when you flipped the calendar to December 1? Really—already? The old saying, “Where does the time go?” is now more evident than ever. We live in fast and turbulent times, and our industry reflects this.

Think of the industry changes we’ve witnessed in just the last 12 months, in areas such as healthcare reform and the economy. I’m sure that you have examples of turbulent change relevant to your business. Did a new competitor open in your town? Did you have a significant change in your staff? Did you add an associate or expand your business to an additional location?

Change is a part of our lives, now and forever. For us to flourish together, we must be good at adapting to change. Actually, for us to flourish together, we must exploit change to the betterment of our businesses.

I speak to practices across the country and watch the optical and related industries very carefully. My crystal ball says that in 2012 we must find opportunities in these areas of rapid change:

Rising Competition
Optical retailers are getting bigger, stronger, and faster. Their own economic and ownership structure produces a strong appetite for growth not unlike many other industries. This means that consumers at large, and your patients in particular, will be sought after. Key aspects of your business, such as your value proposition and the patient experience, are critical now more than ever.

Consumers and the Internet
Remember when online appointment scheduling was something new and innovative? Facebook and Twitter are now commonplace. Text-messaging is fast becoming a dominant form of communication. Your patients could be searching for you right now on Yelp. Consumers are moving in droves to purchase optical products like sunwear and eyewear on the Internet. Make no mistake—the future success stories in optometry will be those that embrace the Internet with all of its risks and challenges.

The Velocity of Healthcare
There’s substantial change happening in the healthcare industry. Healthcare reform and the economic stimulus package for electronic medical records lead the way in terms of rampant change. Remember when “meaningful use” meant that you got your money’s worth out of a product? These changes were significant but they were not alone; 5010 compliance, ICD-10, and other regulations have also affected you and your staff.

These areas of change don’t frighten us at Eyefinity—they motivate us! We’re investing heavily to bring you products and services to help you exploit change. New products such as eWebExtra Patient Center, eyeVantage, and Eyeconic are designed for your success. We’re investing in virtual try-on technologies and other areas of web-enabled technology to help you be a star and serve your patients in these emerging areas of demand. And we continue to tirelessly monitor related industries and emerging technologies to bring you the very best.

As we close the year, I want to personally thank you for your business. It’s something we never take for granted, and something that we’re always thankful for. My hope is that we continue to please you with our products and services and together will exploit turbulent change for the better.

My very best holiday wishes to you and your families,
Steve

Filed under: Eyefinity, Personal Stories, private practice, social media, technology | Leave a Comment »

Need to take a No-Glare refresher course?

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Webmaster

Essilor of America® has created a fun and interactive training program to help you refresh your knowledge of the many benefits No-Glare lenses can offer.

In just half an hour, you will be reminded of how No-Glare lenses can benefit both children and adults in their daily lives.  The site features eight short training videos for ECPs featuring real-life situations such as: driving at night, children at school and other day to day activities.

To learn more about how No-Glare lenses can benefit your patients in real-life situations, visit www.no-glare.com/training. No-Glare lenses such as Crizal® and SharpView® are currently available at eyefinity.com.

Filed under: Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Demandforce now integrates with OfficeMate!

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Webmaster

Attention OfficeMate users: Demandforce, Inc., a leader in online marketing and communication, and Eyefinity have announced a strategic relationship that allows users of OfficeMate practice management software to seamlessly integrate with the Demandforce D3 application.

What’s in it for your practice?

With Demandforce, OfficeMate users will be able to automate appointment scheduling and confirmations using email and text messaging, improve their online reputation on Internet sites including Google, Facebook and CitySearch and get more patients in the door with customized promotions, newsletters and more. Additionally, Demandforce automatically tracks results and revenue from all communications and online marketing efforts to provide real-time visibility into the success of the practice.

Proven results!

OfficeMate practices already using Demandforce have seen overwhelming value. To date, OfficeMate users have generated over 26,000 online client reviews and scheduled over 6,500 lost client visits. Individually, these practices have generated an average of 42 client reviews and reactivated 11 lost client visits per month.

“As an OfficeMate user for 14 years, we are huge fans of how seamlessly it integrates with Demandforce,” said Dr. Alan Glazier, O.D., F.A.A.O. “It allows my office staff to focus on growing our business by using automated marketing tools and offering superior customer service instead of learning a new software system.”

Want to know more about how it works? Check out the video below

Eyefinity customers interested in more information on Demandforce can call 1-800-210-0355, email info@demandforce.com or visit: http://www.demandforce.com/optometry.php

Filed under: best practices, Eyefinity Certified Partner, Optometry, private practice, product news, social media, Uncategorized | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

A look back at Vision Expo West

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Webmaster

Missed Vision Expo West this year? No worries – check out the video below to see everything Eyefinity had going on at the show! Hope to see you all at Vision Expo East in March!

Filed under: best practices, EMRs, Eyefinity, Industry news, meaningful use, stimulus money, technology, testimonials, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Eyefinity is Hiring!

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Carrie C.

We’re looking for qualified candidates to join our family. We offer exceptional benefits, competitive compensation, and robust training and development programs.  Here’s a sample of the current open positions at Eyefinity: 

  • Director of Education and Training
  • Executive Director of Product Management
  • Application Developer
  • Systems Architect

Here’s some information about us: Eyefinity is the only company in the market to provide a collective offering of Web-based and desktop solutions. With more than 26 years experience exclusive to the eyecare industry, Eyefinity offers proven, integrated desktop and Web-based practice solutions that help increase office efficiency and profits, shape customer experience, and deepen customer loyalty.

Check us out online and explore other open positions.

Filed under: jobs | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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