In the battle for Canadian market share, the 3 biggest veterinary practice management software companies all gained market share over the last 3 years at the expense of the smaller companies. AVI Mark, Cornerstone, and Impromed all grew in popularity with both companion and mixed and large animal practices. Outside of the big 3, only Alisvet, Vetware, and IVMS gained market share. All other software companies saw their market share erode during this time.
Only 3 years ago, AVI Mark, Cornerstone, and Impromed collectively accounted for roughly half the market (48% in mixed and large animal practices and 54% in companion animal). Three years later that dominance grew to 63% for mixed and large animal practices and 65% for companion animal practices.
In the companion animal market, AVI Mark continues to dominate, extending the lead from 30% market share in 2010 to 36% in 2013 (Figure 1). Over the same period Cornerstone grew 2% and remained in second spot while Impromed grew 3% to hold third spot for all English language practice management software. Alisvet was the only other software company that gained market share over that period gaining 2% market share and moving up to 7% of the total market.
Figure 1.
Practice management software market share — Companion animal hospitals.
As the bigger companies gained ground, the smaller companies lost ground with most losing as much as half their market share over the last 3 years.
Logivet, a big player in the French language market, lost 2% of their national market share but still maintained dominance in Quebec capturing 61% of the provincial market and coming out on top with the highest market share in a single province.
There was a shakeup in mixed and large animal practices with Cornerstone doubling their market share over the last 3 years and in doing so moved from third place to top spot in 2013 with 25% market share (Figure 2). AVI Mark, the industry leader in 2010 with mixed and large animal hospitals gained 1% in market share but still got bumped down to second place overall with 23% market share. Impromed also gained 1% market share and fell from second place in 2010 to third place last year.
Figure 2.
Practice management software market share — Mixed and large animal hospitals.
Provincially, there were 5 companies that dominated the market with AVI Mark leading the way by garnering more than 40% market share in 4 provinces (British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island) and tying Vetware for the industry leader in Nova Scotia (Table 1). Cornerstone took top spot in 3 provinces with 48% market share in Alberta, 28% market share in New Brunswick, and 60% market share in Newfoundland and Labrador. Impromed took top spot in Manitoba and Logivet, the French language software, dominated Quebec with the highest of all market shares (61%).
Table 1.
Dominant practice management software companies by province in 2013
| Province | Dominant software | Market share |
|---|---|---|
| BC | AVI Mark | 45% |
| AB | Cornerstone | 48% |
| SK | AVI Mark | 44% |
| MB | Impromed | 35% |
| ON | AVI Mark | 42% |
| QC | Logivet | 61% |
| NB | Cornerstone | 28% |
| NS | Vetware/AVI Mark | 26% |
| PE | AVI Mark | 50% |
| NL | Cornerstone | 60% |
BC — British Columbia. AB — Alberta, SK — Saskatchewan, MB — Manitoba, ON — Ontario, QC — Quebec, NB — New Brunswick, NS — Nova Scotia, PE — Prince Edward Island, NL — Newfoundland.
Information on market share for practice management software companies comes from the CVMA Practice Owners Economic survey through which respondents reported on their practice management software.
Footnotes
This article is provided as part of the CVMA Business Management Program, which is co-sponsored by IDEXX Laboratories, Petsecure Pet Health Insurance, Merck Animal Health, and Scotiabank.
Use of this article is limited to a single copy for personal study. Anyone interested in obtaining reprints should contact the CVMA office (hbroughton@cvma-acmv.org) for additional copies or permission to use this material elsewhere.