THERE IS NOT A part of the business that technology doesn’t touch. A daunting prospect for those of us who are less than tech savvy. Nonetheless, it’s undeniable it has the ability to help us work smarter, not harder. Running a more efficient office means less confusion and time wasted. We’re not suggesting you do a complete tech overhaul but incorporating a new software or app here or there has the potential to transform your business. We asked several of our readers the tech tools that have helped revolutionize the management of their business and here is what they had to say.

 

We use WhenIWork software to manage employee schedules. We have 18 employees and the software emails their schedule directly to the app on their phone. Staff can request days off, track vacation time and swap shifts. All with minimal assistance from me. A beautiful thing. — Vlad Cordero, Focus Eye Care PC, Hackensack, NJ

We love NEXUS (a Stage 2 certified cloud-based ambulatory EHR system designed for small to midsize practices.) — Heather Harrington, Elevated Eyecare, Denver, CO

YouTube videos can get a contact lens first timer a start, while preparing for instruction. — Lisa Trippi, Lux Eyewear, Newark, CA

BusinessWorks accounting software, odspecs.com for up-to-date contact lens and drug specs, Optikam as a sales tool in our optical, and Iheart Radio or Pandora Radio. — Barbara Bloom, OD, Weber Vision Care, Harrisburg, PA

The Blinkist app; who has time to read all the business management books out there? Get access to key insights from 2000+ bestselling nonfiction books, cliff noted into 15 minutes you can read or listen to.

We just use My Vision Express (a full-featured practice management and EHR software created for eyecare professionals). They have many ways to notify and communicate with patients. — Diana Sims, Buena Vista Optical, Chicago, IL

We love Solutionreach. It texts patients for recalls, appointment reminders and pickups. It’s been a lifesaver and patients love it! — Christine Howard, Attleboro Vision Care, Attleboro, MA

Luxury Eyewear Forum on Facebook. It has connected me to so many of my peers in the luxury segment of our industry. Here we can discuss a variety of topics that affect us specifically in our business model. It’s been invaluable. — Paula Hornbeck, Eye Candy & Eye Candy Kids, Delafield, WI

iPads for check in and EHR have increased efficiency, using apps to show how progressives and anti-glare help with vision. — Cynthia Sayers, OD, EyeShop Optical Center, Lewis Center, OH

SpecTech from Walman Optical has helped us out not just with custom measurements but with patient education for PAL corridors, lens thickness, frame comparisons, etc. — Meredith Hall, Miller Family Eye, Cedar Rapids, IA

We use the ZEISS i.Terminal 2 not only to measure for progressives with position of wear measurements but also for all single vision digital patients. The measurements are so precise we rarely have progressive redos. Patients love that we are using new technology and it’s very helpful in allowing patients to compare different frame styles on themselves at once. — Amy Pelak, Proview Eyecare Optometry, Corona, CA

RevolutionEHR. Use of its full capability has enhanced our performance. Venturing into aspects of the system previously not used has increased productivity and accountability. — William Chancellor, Eye Can See Eyewear, McDonough, GA

I love Later for scheduling Instagram posts and VSCO for editing photos I take on my phone. — Nytarsha Thomas, OD, Visionelle Eyecare, Zionsville, IN

Clearpath Ds-120 Lens Autofluorescense screening for Type 2 Diabetes. A translator app on my “Eye Pads” for communication with unique foreign languages and showing frames to patients. Having patients load their retinal photos on their smart phones for their PCP. — Texas L. Smith, OD, Dr. Texas L. Smith & Assoc., Citrus Heights, CA

Marco’s Trs5100 Refracting System interfacing with Crystal Practice Management. We can do in two exam lanes what we used to do in three without it being a race. — GR McGuirt, OD, 20/20 Vision Clinic, Lake Charles, LA

We use Rendia software in the exam rooms. They show information on products, eye diseases and utilize jokes and trivia to hold interest. Patients often comment on how they enjoy it, and we get inquiries about contacts, prescription sunglasses and trivex lenses. — Blake Hutto, OD, Family Vision Care, Alma, GA

Google is the bomb. We use Drive, Hangouts, Docs, email, and more. Super easy to communicate and stay organized. — Dawn Johnson, Clarkson Eyecare Perdido, Pensacola, FL

Eyefinity EHR Apple Watch App pairs with your iPhone to give you access to your most vital patient information right on your wrist. You can view your appointment schedule, read intra-office messages, review notes and find out which rooms patients are in.

Love the Square for mobile sales. — Angel Miller, Cynthiana Vision Center, Cynthiana, KY