to achieve an automated migration and avoid the tedious task of entering everything manually. The programmer will map all the individual fields from the old system to the new system. It requires someone with years of training and experience and has been described as detective work. A programmer must go into another database structure and figure out where things are stored and how they are stored before bringing them into the new system. A good analogy is going into an old house that has been rewired multiple times while never taking out the old wiring. Some programs have poor structures in the background unknown to the end-user. YOUR SUCCESS!!! Easily duplicated Our technology Make the move to computer assisted chiropractic. Ultra-precise adjustments Benefits from technology credibility Extremely user-friendly instruments THE BOTTOM LINE? So here’s the deal: you are not a programmer. You are a really good chiropractor who just wants to help improve the lives of those you serve. Furthermore, you don’t want to waste your staff’s time entering everything into the system to do a manual conversion of data once you have purchased new software. And so, many offices wind up settling for second best sim-ply because they are afraid to change or disrupt the office. What options are out there, and what should you do? 1. Search for a software company that will provide you with a data conversion for your current system. Is that possible, and do companies provide that type of service, you wonder? From experience I can tell you that very few companies provide a data conversion and if they do it is usually very limited. 2. If a conversion is available, ask them in advance what to expect from the conversion. If they haven’t previously converted your system, it will require a larger investment in time on their part, and your co-operation. You won’t know how much informa-tion is going to be converted until you receive the final result. Since you’re treading into the unknown, ask for previous conversion referrals! 3. If they don’t provide a conversion, be prepared to hear one of these four common reasons: • Your current system is so outdated we can’t possibly retrieve any data; • Your database is protected and we can’t access the database; • We simply do not provide database conversions; • Your data is corrupt. In short, if you decide to go with this company you will be re-quired to manually enter all your current patients’ demographic information, appointments, charges and insurance information into the new software. Can you imagine the hundreds of hours of work this will create for you and your staff? You risk frustrating and losing your staff, along with some patients as well. And so, if the company you are looking at states any of the four above reasons for not being able to transfer your data over, what is your alternative? The alternative is to search for a software company that is willing to take the time to look at your data and give you some advice. A world-class team will be able to analyze your data-base and give you feedback regarding the amount of data that can be transferred. In many cases they should be able to trans-fer all your data, saving you hundreds of hours of work and thousands of dollars of data entry. Just remember you are in the driver’s seat – you have op-tions! The level of service you receive converting your data, and the quality of training you receive on the new system, will cer-tainly indicate the level of support you can expect in the future. www.canadianchiropractor.ca Let the technology speak for itself! FREE Introductory trainings in many cities across Canada every month! Call or e-mail us to have more information and to register! [email protected] Inc. Exclusive Canadian Distributor Licensed by : spinealignchiro.com 1 888 904-7207 CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | FEBRUARY 2012 • 25
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