Select the best veterinary computer hardware for your practice

Advancements in computer software and hardware are very closely linked. As users, we enjoy the latest software features that lift our productivity and make our lives easier, but we often don’t give much thought to the technology that our apps and programs run on.

Unlike software, which generally updates invisibly in the background, upgrading your hardware requires conscious thought and planning. This is because computer workstations and servers are generally bigger investments, which need to be budgeted for within your practice’s annual plan.

Why it makes sense to upgrade

Unfortunately, with many competing priorities, some practice owners and managers defer the decision to upgrade hardware, mistakenly believing it’s an unnecessary expense. However, failing hardware could mean costly downtime – or at the very least, a frustrating customer and employee experience.

In fact, according to U.S. market research firm Techaisle businesses with five computers could actually save $1,500 in the first year by replacing their two oldest machines, due to reduced downtime and lower maintenance costs.

And, according to Gartner Research, most healthcare providers spend between 3% and 5% of revenue on IT infrastructure each year to keep their practices running smoothly. This investment can be assisted by tax deductions under Section 179, which encourages companies to invest in equipment to improve the services they offer.

Deciphering hardware terminology

The world of computer hardware can be daunting for veterinary professionals. For them, and many other non-IT professionals, the array of options can be confusing and intimidating.

To give some insight into the mysterious world of computer hardware, here is a run-down on what to look for when buying IT, including an explanation of the meaning of some common technical terms.

Servers

• Dedicated server. This is a standalone computer that lets you set up domains giving each user their own login. Through this, you can restrict who in your clinic can access what information. A dedicated server is generally suitable for larger practices.
• Peer-to-peer server. This type of server is suitable for smaller clinics. It is usually set up as part of a workgroup and offers a common login for all staff. It’s easy to manage and is also cheaper than a dedicated server, not only because of the lower initial purchase price but also because you can manage it yourself.

RAID

Servers are usually set up as a RAID – a Redundant Array of Independent Disks. This is where multiple hard drives are put together to improve on what a single drive can provide. This improves the performance of your server, increases storage capacity and protects data in case of drive failure. You have choices in hard drives, too, but you’ll want to be sure you’re choosing a reliable, fast, SSD for your consolidation.

Hard drives

There are two types of hard drive:

• Hard disk drive (HDD). These drives are older technology that has been around for decades. They are a spinning disk that reads and writes your data, in much the same way as a CD. They are mechanical, so generate heat and wear out over time.
• Solid-state drive (SSD). This is newer technology which uses flash storage and has no moving parts. They are smaller, faster and generally more reliable than HDD drives. SSD startup times, in particular, are much quicker than HDD. Startup could take 5-7 seconds with SSD compared with up to a minute with HDD.

Workstations

These are the computers that veterinarians, vet techs, and support staff work on every day. They push and pull data from your server.

Laptops

These are essentially mobile workstations with portability similar to a tablet. While they can be connected to your network by a cable, they can also connect by Wi-Fi. Laptops are usually a bit slower than workstations.

Tablets

These are self-contained, mobile devices with touchscreen technology, ideal for clinics who want to go paperless or paper-lite. Like a mobile phone, they can be easily carried around the clinic. They require a reliable Wi-Fi network.

Peripherals

Anything that’s connected to a workstation is a peripheral. This includes business-class printers, document scanners, signature pads, label printers and the like.

Backups

As the name suggests, this involves creating a duplicate of your practice data to a secure, reliable location. While RAID servers have dual drives to avoid data loss, businesses shouldn’t avoid doing backups, as any data loss can be crippling. Best practice is to do regular daily and weekly backups – ideally including a cloud backup as part of your strategy. Read more about this topic here.

Getting help with your upgrades

When you’re ready to upgrade your practice’s hardware, Covetrus is here to help. Visit https://software.covetrus.com/veterinary-solutions/veterinary-computer-hardware/ for details on the equipment and solutions available for your practice.