While there have been several new practice management software packages introduced in recent years, the 3 most common programs: AVI Mark, Cornerstone, and Impromed, have maintained their hold on the Canadian market. Across the country, they combined for 68% of veterinary practice management software used. This is an increase from 5 years ago, when these 3 same programs accounted for use in 64% of hospitals.
AVI Mark was the market leader, by a wide margin, with nearly 41% of Canadian veterinary hospitals using that software. Cornerstone held the second-place position, with 17%, while Impromed’s Infinity was used by 11% of hospitals.
Beyond these top 3, there were 24 additional programs used across Canada, with each claiming between 0.2% and 9% of the market (Figure 1).
Figure 1.
Practice management software and percentage share of the Canadian veterinary market.
Despite being very new on the scene, cloud-based software, such as IDEXX’s Neo and eVet Practice, are beginning to make their mark on the Canadian market. One of the key benefits to these programs is that the practice’s records and data are stored offsite and accessed through the Internet; this eliminates the need for a server in the building, and helps reduce a hospital’s information technology bill, while also reducing vulnerability to hacking and ransomware attacks. While they currently occupy a relatively small share of the market, many expect them to grow over the coming years, particularly as the software becomes more advanced.
Looking province-by-province, AVI Mark was the dominant software in all but Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec (Table 1). In Alberta and Manitoba, Cornerstone held top spot, while VetWare/LogiVet held this position in Quebec. In Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, AVI Mark was used in 71% of practices.
Table 1.
Dominant software and market share by province.
| Province | Dominant software | Market share |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | AVI Mark | 48% |
| Alberta | Cornerstone | 30% |
| Saskatchewan | AVI Mark | 42% |
| Manitoba | Cornerstone | 43% |
| Ontario | AVI Mark | 53% |
| Quebec | VetWare/LogiVet | 68% |
| New Brunswick | AVI Mark | 33% |
| Nova Scotia | AVI Mark | 59% |
| Prince Edward Island | AVI Mark | 71% |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | AVI Mark | 71% |
While companion animal hospitals did not line up exactly with mixed and large animal hospitals with regard to software used; AVI Mark was once again the single most common program for both segments. Impromed’s Infinity was the runner-up for mixed and large animal hospitals, with 21%, while Cornerstone held that position for companion animal hospitals, at 17% (Figure 2).
Figure 2.
Practice management software and percentage share of the Canadian veterinary market stratified by companion animal hospitals and mixed and large animal hospitals.
There was also substantially more fragmentation of software used in companion animal hospitals. Across Canada, mixed and large animal hospitals reported 14 different software products, while companion animal hospitals used 25.
While market dominance is not typically the key factor for a hospital when choosing their practice management software, for many it does play into the decision. A commonly used software is likely to make hiring and training new non-DVM and DVM staff somewhat easier, especially if the individual has had previous experience with the program in another hospital. On this front, AVI Mark continues to make a compelling case.
Notes: Data on market share of practice management software are taken from the 2018 Provincial Practice Owners Economic Surveys.
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.