OPTIMISING YOUR BUSINESS IS EASY WITH OSA SUPPLIERS

Wise practice investment decisions can be aided by a visit to 100% Optical, believes the OSA with many members exhibiting at Excel 25-27 February.

Practice management systems underpin all aspects of an optical business and provide metrics to closely monitor patients and revenue.  Moving to a paperless practice reduces human error and is environmentally sound, as is the efficiency of using integrated eGOS, and intelligence to know which is the best means of communicating with patients.

Ocuco is celebrating its 30^th anniversary of servicing the eyecare industry with the launch of Acuitas 3 OmniChannel Edition, its next generation of software.

“Acuitas 3 is an omnichannel-native application enabling a seamless, consistent online and in-person patient experience. The unified framework allows appointment booking, purchasing, payment, communication and interaction online or in-store. A single view of the patient, a single view of your business,” said Leo MacCann, Ocuco CEO.

Alex Messeri, Operations Manager at Cosium will be promoting CosiumOptic and CosiumAudio, a cloud clinical management system for audiologists.

“Visitors will see Cosium 3D Lab: a mixed-reality 3D holographic display for products and technologies. Our VTOM software, a complete solution for managing 3D frame captures to use on our Augmented Reality try-on feature for in-store screens, websites, and mobile devices, will also be displayed.

“We are integrating frame measurements, pupillary distances and more into our e-commerce offering.  It is now possible to safely dispense glasses online, combining frame selection, frame recommendation based on the wearer’s features, gender and age, with Augmented Reality visuals, accurate measurements, and EDI workflow ordering and monitoring,” said Alex.

Optinet FLEX PMS will be promoting its functionality for optical business of all sizes “from first contact to final collection FLEX will make your patient journey easier to manage – whether you have one or multiple stores,” said Managing Director Philip Mullins.

IbisVision will be joining Birmingham Optical to showcase the IBIS-Connect tele-optometry platform. Visual Acuity and Visual Field tests will be demonstrated remotely, plus live demos of IBIS-Connect software and online refraction technology which is soon to be launched.

Financial advice is available from experienced optical business providers Braemar Finance and Performance Finance. David Angus, Braemar Finance Sales Director explained that many of the challenges facing optics are not unique to the sector –

“The cost of doing business has affected businesses across the UK, as has rising inflation. The question many face is whether to pass these higher costs onto customers – we know from our research that many firms are choosing to do so, while others have been absorbing the costs.

“Our products are structured and proven, which includes hire purchase, leasing, tax loans, business loans, personal loans and consolidation loans. We can now also refer clients who are looking to acquire commercial property to a team of property finance specialists within Close Brothers.”

Stefanie Ennis, Marketing Manager at Performance Finance is keen to point out that optical businesses planning their finances should note that the deadline for super-deduction tax relief is 31 March –

“For purchases between 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2023, companies that pay corporation tax will be eligible to offset 130% of the asset value against their taxable profit in the first year. This is excellent news for optical practices wishing to invest in equipment, shop fit and technology.”

Performance Finance is focused on helping businesses with VAT de Minimis, plus offering the most cost-effective and tax efficient finance products for any business need, including those just starting out.

She added –

“Our direct lending facility allows us to be very flexible whether you are starting out, or looking to expand your business, we complete arrangements with speed, efficiency, and flexibility which is why have a 5.0 excellent Trust Pilot rating.”

See the free to attend OSA lectures running throughout the three day event – click here for full details.