'We have a mixed practice located in the Diepholz area of Lower Saxony, concentrating on horses, small animals and cattle. At present, we are working together with three other solo practices

Since the start of 2003, our IT-supported practice management has been based on easyVET. Since then we have been able to get to know its application and design possibilities very well. We have been employing digital X-ray systems since approximately that time, too. We started with a portable image plate system. The missing connection to the practice management program and the general wear-and-tear on the plates became disruptive. Another disadvantage was the time spent in developing plates.

In the end we got to grips with XDR1-M, the detector system that is connected to our practice management system through easyIMAGE. For us, the pain barrier that kept us from converting the X-ray system was the supposedly high cost of a complete new system that would include both, hardware and software. After much consideration and several demonstrations and meetings with Jan Oekler from VetZ, we were finally convinced and decided in the summer of 2007 to opt for the XDR1-M system with easyIMAGE.

After initial problems, and a few 'headaches' on the part of the VetZ employees, the system now runs completely smoothly - predominantly for portable applications. The introductory training and guidance from the VetZ team were especially pleasant while getting to know a new and unknown system.

In addition to the new X-ray system, we have completely interconnected our X-ray, ultrasound and laboratory with the practice management program. We now enjoy a noticeable improvement in almost all working procedures (optimized 'workflow'). This includes the availability of all patient-related information at all workstations, the increased ease with which digital X-ray and ultrasound images can be sent via e-mail and an increase in quality of the digital X-ray images.

From an economic standpoint, the conversion has already paid for itself after only a short time. As a result of an obvious increase in the number of X-rays made, the profit margin has tripled in comparison to that of the older system. This increase is only possible because the workflow could now be tightened up and as a result of the operational speed of the system, especially in the case of the X-raying of horses. This efficiency is much appreciated by our customers. For this reason, we currently also see the system as a marketing instrument.

But, in short: At first we had the system installed in order to optimize our workflow, while improving quality and saving time. But after only a short period of use, it became obvious that the investment was also a financial success.'