25 cool tech tools for veterinarians
Check out this list of tools and apps that can help you become more productive-and might even make you a better veterinarian.
With devices like smartphones, laptops, and tablets growing in popularity—and dropping in price—it's easier than ever to stay connected. You can play games while you wait in line at the DMV, transfer money between bank accounts while you shop, and download your favorite e-books for leisurely reading. But are you taking full advantage of these tools? You've got thousands of apps to choose from, many of which can help you become a more productive person—and even a more effective veterinarian. To help you sort through them all, I've asked five diverse members of the profession to recommend the most useful technological tools available.
Tamara Walker, DVM, DACVS
Dr. Walker is a partner and chief surgeon at Animal Critical Care and Emergency Services, a multispecialty practice located in Seattle. Her recommendations are:
1. 2Do
This app allows you to complete your tasks in style. It's a fun, useful application that helps you create and track the lists in your life. To-do lists, idea lists, and books-to-read lists are at your fingertips. The program is easy to use and allows for easy storage of voice memos as well.
Rules for the tools
PC, Mac, iPad, smartphone
$6.99
2. NPR News
This app is an excellent tool for those who enjoy listening to National Public Radio. You can stream live when your smartphone has a wireless connection. It also allows you access to stored programs and podcasts.
PC, Mac, iPad, smartphone
Free
3. My Library
An app that provides a way of storing information on books you've read, as well as those you intend to read. It also lets you store music, movies, and other personal media information. Author information, synopses, reviews, and other details are cataloged in the application. The app allows users who are browsing in a brick-and-mortar bookstore to catalog books in My Library by using the iPhone's barcode scanner.
http://apple.com/iphone/apps-for-iphone
iPhone
$3.99
4. Seafood Watch
This application developed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium gives you instant access to information regarding sustainable seafood and sushi. The guides are region-specific as well. If you're committed to being a conscientious consumer, this application is useful in the grocery store and at your favorite sushi or seafood restaurant.
http://apple.com/iphone/apps-for-iphone
iPhone
Free
5. Google
By using a Google e-mail account and calendar, you just might find the perfect personal assistant. Whether you have a PC, a Mac, or a smartphone, you can fully sync your e-mail and calendar, giving you constant access to your schedule. You can also download other calendars, such as the Seattle Seahawks football schedule. Google provides pop-up or e-mail reminders, too.
PC, Mac, iPad, smartphone
Free
JIM REMILLARD, CVPM
Remillard has been a veterinary practice management consultant for more than 650 hospitals and clinics, practice owners, potential owners, and associates for 30 years. He's located in Cool, Calif., and is a recipient of the VetPartners Distinguished Life Member Award. Here are his must-have picks:
1. Apple iCal
This is Remillard's favorite program for managing personal and business due dates and to-dos. iCal interfaces and syncs with your iMac, iPhone, and iPad. It helps you track key dates for business, birthdays, fitness, travel, and other activities. Plus it has a great feature for managing personal and business projects that may need your attention.
Mac, iPad, iPhone
Free
2. Garmin Forerunner 305
Cycling is Remillard's favorite sport, and since he rides long distances virtually every day, he finds the wrist-hugging Garmin Forerunner 305 indispensable. It tracks almost everything related to a cyclist's ride or a jogger's run: distance, speed, heart rate, calories burned, average speed, altitude, and elevation climbed. Once you've finished your ride, you can upload the data into the related Garmin tracking and cataloging software.
PC, Mac, iPad, smartphone
$199.99
3. Map My Ride
Another tool for passionate cyclists, this app lets you use pre-loaded maps along previously published routes—or to develop them yourself—anywhere in the world. With this app, you can follow a specific route, receive turn-by-turn directions, or review specific routes you've taken in the past. It also recommends rides and routes based on your interests and level of ability.
http://apple.com/iphone/apps-for-iphone
iPhone
$2.99
4. Apple Mail
The standard e-mail application that comes pre-loaded on the iPhone and iPad is simple, versatile, powerful, and highly functional. You can have multiple e-mail accounts drop into a single global e-mail inbox, or you can review your e-mail from each separate account. With the latest operating system, you can print e-mails wirelessly across either your wireless network or via a Hewlett-Packard printer through AirPrint. All of these capabilities help you stay on top of your multiple e-mail accounts, respond to them as needed, and print documents without hooking up your device to a printer.
http://apple.com/iphone/apps-for-iphone
iPhone, iPad
Free
Jim Mahan
Mahan is the vice president and director of marketing for Live Oak Bank, a veterinary lender based in Wilmington, N.C. He spends much of his time educating young veterinarians about how to finance a veterinary practice and how best to maintain and grow their clinics. Here are his top tech picks for veterinarians:
1. Mint.com
This program allows you to track your personal income and expenses. Input your spending information and then set a budget. Mint will alert you if you've exceeded your monthly budget. It can also track your investments, retirement plans, private loans, and anything else that factors into your net worth.
PC, Mac, iPad, smartphone
Free
2. Google AdWords
Mahan finds this tool invaluable when it comes to promoting your website. You'll pay every time someone clicks on the ad, but for a big-city veterinary clinic in trying to get an edge, showing up on the first page of Google is a major competitive advantage. Google AdWords is simple to use and easy to get started.
PC, Mac
Free
3. Facebook
You've probably read it all before, but it bears repeating: free advertising, and viral marketing, with your only cost your time and effort. It doesn't matter what your opinion of Facebook is, it works and it isn't going away. It's a must for every veterinary clinic.
PC, Mac
Free
4. Google Analytics
This tool allows you to see who visited your clinic's website, how long they stayed, what they typed into Google to get there, and what pages they visited. It lets you tailor your site to your clients and, specifically, what they're searching for on Google. These type of statistics are vital to any clinic trying to create a better website. It takes a lot of the guesswork out of the marketing.
PC, Mac
Free
5. Echofon
During fantasy football season, player and team news can come fast and furious, most of it via Twitter. This program helps sort and sync these tweets (the ones you've read, those you haven't, and those you'd like to save) with all of your devices.
PC, Mac, iPad, smartphone
Free
Cynthia Johnson, DVM
Dr. Johnson is a 2011 graduate of the Virginia Tech School of Veterinary Medicine. She is also the former marketing director of the Veterinary Business Management Association. These are the computer-based tools she wouldn't want to live without:
1. TED Talks
A website devoted to the most inspirational and intellectual speakers of our day, all at your fingertips for free. Find talks organized by categories or search through an alphabetized list of speakers. This is a resource famous in business and educational circles. More than 1,000 talks are now available for viewing. It's a great lift at the end of a hard day.
PC, Mac, iPad, smartphone
Free
2. Evernote
This is the electronic equivalent of clipping out and filing magazine articles. The application lets you sort and store almost any kind of electronic data and access it easily later.
PC, Mac, iPad, smartphone
Free to $45 per year
3. StumbleUpon
This tool makes it easy for you to find interesting websites, photos, and videos. Just choose your interests and StumbleUpon sends you to websites that other users like you have enjoyed. It's a wonderful tool for discovering new resources.
PC, Mac, iPad, smartphone
Free
4. Google Voice
Google Voice gives you a phone number you can associate with your other numbers. The tool customizes call forwarding and voicemail messages based on who's calling. For example, you might choose to send calls received before 5 p.m. to your office phone, and calls after that to your cell phone. Google Voice also transcribes voicemail and provides free calling via Web or smartphone to the United States and Canada.
PC, Mac, smartphone
Free
5. Dropbox
Using this app is Dr. Johnson's preferred way to move and store files online. Access files when you're away from home or share data—home videos or photos—with family, friends, or coworkers.
PC, Mac, iPad, smartphone
Free
6. SweetHome3D
Maybe you're moving or maybe you're just rearranging the furniture. This Java-based software lets you make sure everything will fit in your new home or apartment. It shows you a 3D model of what your place will look like when things are done.
PC, Mac
Free
Tom A. McFerson, CPA, ABV
I'm a partner at Gatto McFerson, CPAs, a financial consulting, management and appraisal firm located in Santa Monica, Calif., specializing in the veterinary industry. Here are the tools I suggest:
1. ZD Net Technology Update
This e-newsletter provides news and reviews on all things technological. It's a great way to keep up on new products and software, and it's delivered daily right to your inbox.
PC, Mac, iPad, smartphone
Free
2. Amazon Prime
If you're a frequent shopper on http://Amazon.com, this shipping program is for you. For an annual membership fee of $79, you receive free, unlimited two-day shipping on most of the products sold on Amazon. Make about 10 orders a year and it pays for itself.
PC, Mac, iPad, smartphone
$79
3. Datavault Password Manager
Are you constantly forgetting log-in information and passwords? Download this app to safely store bank and credit card information, plus usernames and passwords for all of your vital websites.
http://apple.com/iphone/apps-for-iphone
iPhone
$7.99
4. Lose It
Everyone raves about this as the ultimate weight loss tool. Set goals, track your eating habits, plan menus, and hit that target weight all using this comprehensive app.
PC, Mac, iPad, smartphone
Free
5. Barcode Scanner
This handy app lets you scan the barcode for any product you're shopping for, and then it quickly reports back on where you might find it at a lower price. This is great for comparison shopping or cataloging an item you might like to buy in the future.
http://apple.com/iphone/apps-for-iphone
iPhone
$0.99
Put your laptop, smartphone, or tablet to use by downloading some of these 25 programs. Before you know it, you'll be the most well-connected, organized veterinarian around.
Tom McFerson, CPA, ABV, is a partner with Gatto McFerson CPAs in Santa Monica, Calif.
