Does free veterinary practice software actually work, or do you end up paying double down the road?

Test the export function in the software you're currently trying out today. Does it give you raw database output (JSON or CSV), or is it just printing whatever is on the screen? If you can't pull raw data, every patient file you enter is essentially being held hostage.

At a similar-sized clinic in Hannover, we set up a free open-source tool at first too. Paid an IT guy 600 EUR for setup and backups, and 6 months later the plugin crashed. We finally gave up and switched to dedicated veterinary software for 65 EUR a month; it shaved 4 hours off our weekly billing time.

Before choosing any software, verify these three criteria formally: 1) A Data Processing Agreement fully compliant with DSGVO, 2) EU-based server hosting, 3) Archiving infrastructure that respects the mandatory patient record retention periods set by the veterinary chamber.

You have to question the business model of any company offering free cloud software. Servers, backups, and security aren't free. If they aren't charging you, how do you know they aren't anonymizing pet owners' contact details and selling them as marketing data? Not a risk worth taking.

Check these in your current software: 1) Are official GOT codes pre-configured, 2) Does it charge extra for automated SMS or email vaccination reminders, 3) Can you log emergency visits offline if the internet drops?

starting with free software and trying to migrate your data later is a total nightmare. tbh i know a vet who went back to excel sheets just get something proper from the start and save yourself the headache.

No need to lock yourself into annual contracts right away. Most specialized vet platforms offer a 30-day free trial. Set up 3-4 dummy patients instead of real ones, test out billing and reporting, and see the difference for yourself.

Saved.

We need to make a distinction here. If scope grows, either time or budget must grow. There is no third option.

This is my opinion, I'm not claiming it's absolute truth.

Here's how it went for us. People defend habits, not processes. Resistance comes from there.

Proven by experience.

Let me summarize what's been said so far. Access credentials should be opened in the company's name, not personal accounts.

I feel the same way. When making a decision, first look at what data you have on hand.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

We need to take it step by step... If acceptance criteria aren't written when the work is done is open to debate.

I'm also curious if anyone does it differently.

Thanks for writing this, that's the right way. If scope grows, either time or budget must grow. There is no third option.

Hope this helps.

I went through the same thing. Any unwritten clause becomes a point of disagreement later, as both sides remember it differently.

Of course it varies if your situation is different.

I'm curious too. The harder it is to reverse a decision the slower you should make it.

If acceptance criteria aren't written when the work is done is open to debate.

The discussion got scattered, let me summarize. In legacy systems, the most expensive thing is unknown dependencies.

Implementing a change request process doesn't slow things down, it speeds them up. I'm also curious if anyone does it differently.