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2003
VisionWeb Launches VisionWeb Enhanced, a New Online Multi-Payer Insurance Transaction Processing Service
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Austin, Texas - October 16, 2003 - VisionWeb, L.P., the online service to help eyecare providers streamline and simplify their practices, announced today that it has launched VisionWeb Enhanced, a new online multi-payer insurance transaction processing service. Continuing with VisionWeb's mission of connecting all parties in an independent setting, the goal of VisionWeb Enhanced is to provide eyecare providers one location where they can process their insurance transactions with multiple eyecare payers.
"Our mission at VisionWeb is to provide eyecare providers with the necessary services to improve the efficiency and profitability of their practices," said Jeffrey B. Saddington, president and CEO of VisionWeb. "VisionWeb Enhanced underscores this mission. With this new service, eyecare providers are able to process their insurance transactions, order eyecare products and take advantage of other benefits all in one convenient, online location."
PRODUCT OFFERINGS
VisionWeb now offers two products to the eyecare industry. VisionWeb Enhanced expands the existing VisionWeb Essential service offering, and offers eyecare providers a one-stop online service to streamline and simplify their practices.
VisionWeb Essential - VisionWeb Essential enables eyecare providers to take advantage of VisionWeb's convenient, direct-to-supplier online ordering of spectacle lenses, frames and contact lenses, as well as other benefits including a customizable eyecare practice website, online accredited CE/CME classes, and online clinical and industry news and information.
VisionWeb Enhanced - With VisionWeb Enhanced, eyecare providers can enjoy all the benefits of VisionWeb Essential, plus they can process insurance transactions with Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross/Blue Shield and a variety of commercial vision payers. VisionWeb Enhanced offers the ability to import patient claims data directly from an eyecare practice management system. Eyecare providers can check eligibility, authorizations and claims status in real time, in addition to being able to submit electronic claims.
HIPAA COMPLIANCE
VisionWeb Enhanced offers a secure, independent method for processing HIPAA-compliant insurance transactions. Using VisionWeb Enhanced will help eyecare practices ensure their HIPAA compliance in time for the October 16, 2003, HIPAA regulations.
SIGNING UP FOR VISIONWEB ENHANCED
Signing up for VisionWeb Enhanced is simple. Interested eyecare providers should contact the VisionWeb Enhanced Sales Team toll-free at 1-800-590-0873 or by e-mail at sales@visionweb.com. Eyecare providers interested in learning more can also take the VisionWeb Enhanced tour located at www.visionweb.com.
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, VisionWeb, L.P. is the online service to help eyecare providers simplify and streamline their practices. VisionWeb offers online multi-payer insurance transaction processing; convenient, direct-to-supplier online ordering; one-stop access to ophthalmic clinical news and information pooled from more than 1,200 publications worldwide; customizable eyecare practice websites; and other benefits for opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, optical manufacturers, laboratories, distributors and patients. For more information or to register, please visit www.visionweb.com.
VisionWeb Offers New Managed Care Solution Offering to the Eyecare Industry
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Austin, Texas - September 18, 2003 - VisionWeb, L.P., the online service to help eyecare providers streamline and simplify their practices, announced today that it will be offering a new managed care solution to the eyecare industry.
The new managed care solution expands the VisionWeb service offering, and underscores VisionWeb's mission to provide all eyecare providers with a one-stop online service to streamline and simplify their practices. Now, VisionWeb members will be able to verify member eligibility, process electronic claims and check claims status with multiple payers; order spectacle lenses, frames and contact lenses; complete accredited CE/CME courses; obtain a customizable eyecare practice website; and much more, all in one online location.
"We are excited about our ability to offer eyecare providers with this new managed care solution," said Jeffrey B. Saddington, president and CEO of VisionWeb. "With this new complete VisionWeb service offering, we will be able to provide eyecare providers with solutions to many of their eyecare business needs all in one convenient, neutral online location."
VisionWeb will begin enrolling eyecare providers in the new managed care solution on October 16, 2003, which will offer a solution to new HIPAA regulations going into effect on October 16. The full rollout of the managed care offering will occur in early November 2003.
The new VisionWeb managed care solution will enable eyecare providers to obtain real-time eligibility, authorization and claims status. In addition, eyecare providers will be able to process claims to both government and commercial managed care organizations. Subscription options will be available to accommodate all sizes of eyecare practices.
ABOUT VISIONWEB
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, VisionWeb, L.P. is the online service to help eyecare providers simplify and streamline their practices. VisionWeb offers convenient and direct-to-supplier online ordering; one-stop access to ophthalmic clinical news and information pooled from more than 1,200 publications worldwide; customizable eyecare practice websites; and other benefits for opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, optical manufacturers, laboratories, distributors and patients. For more information or to register, please visit www.VisionWeb.com.
VisionWeb Announces Plans for Project with Digital Vision Inc.'s Lab Management Software
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Austin, Texas - September 17, 2003 - VisionWeb, L.P., the online service to help eyecare providers streamline and simplify their practices, announced today that it has reached an agreement with Digital Vision, Inc. (DVI), the industry's leading lab management system, to expand its software and interface with VisionWeb. Initially, this software interface will allow DVI labs the ability to electronically transmit orders for spectacle lenses to other labs outside the DVI system through VisionWeb. The second phase will also enable DVI labs to electronically receive orders directly from VisionWeb members.
"We are thrilled to have come to an agreement with Digital Vision, Inc.," said Jim Vitkus, vice president and CMO of VisionWeb. "The coupling of our software platforms will allow DVI labs and participating VisionWeb labs and customers to communicate in a more effective manner. The bottom line is reduced costs and increased efficiency for all involved."
Over the past few years, DVI and VisionWeb have been among the leaders in developing software platforms that facilitate the migration of phone and fax orders to an online electronic platform. These types of services make product ordering more efficient and effective for an eyecare practice by vastly improving order accuracy versus orders placed via phone or fax. The status of these orders is also available online in real-time, eliminating the need for follow-up phone calls.
"This project with VisionWeb fits well with DVI's ongoing commitment to our customers to enable efficiencies in the receiving and sending of prescription orders," said Gordon Keane, president of Digital Vision, Inc. "We look forward to developing a close working relationship with VisionWeb."
Eyecare providers, labs and suppliers interested in learning more about the plans for these integrations can visit the VisionWeb Cyber Café in booth #10109, or the DVI booth #ET2088 at the upcoming Vision Expo West Trade Show. Vision Expo West is being held at the Sands Expo and Convention Center from September 18-20, 2003, in Las Vegas, Nev.
ABOUT DIGITAL VISION, INC.
Headquartered in Portland, Ore., Digital Vision, Inc. is a software consulting company specializing in optical manufacturing systems, applications and research. DVI's OLA Award of Excellence VISION software system includes RxWizard, an Internet component for eyecare providers and laboratories, as well as complete manufacturing Rx processing and extensive reporting for business management. DVI's staff has broad experience in opticianry, computer software and scientific and business applications, and OLA Award Winning Customer Support backs ongoing product development, research, and customer training. For more information, please visit www.TheDVI.com.
ABOUT VISIONWEB
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, VisionWeb, L.P. is the online service to help eyecare providers simplify and streamline their practices. VisionWeb offers convenient and direct-to-supplier online ordering; one-stop access to ophthalmic clinical news and information pooled from more than 1,200 publications worldwide; customizable eyecare practice websites; and other benefits for opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, optical manufacturers, laboratories, distributors and patients. For more information or to register, please visit www.VisionWeb.com.
VisionWeb Service to be Integrated with CC Systems' Practice Management and Lab Management Software
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Austin, Texas - September 15, 2003 - VisionWeb, L.P., the online service to help eyecare providers streamline and simplify their practice, and CC Systems, a leading provider of vision industry software, announced today plans to integrate VisionWeb's online service with CC Systems' Labzilla Optiworker lab management software, enabling more labs to receive electronic orders placed by their customers over VisionWeb. In addition, the companies plan to link CC Systems' Computerized Optical Systems practice management software with VisionWeb's Internet service, eliminating a manual interface.
"We are excited to have entered into this agreement with CC Systems," said Jim Vitkus, vice president and CMO of VisionWeb. "The integration with the Labzilla Optiworker lab management software will allow CC Systems' labs to receive orders electronically via VisionWeb, thus fully automating order data entry, improving efficiency and ensuring accuracy. In addition, they will be able to take advantage of other VisionWeb features including online order tracking and status, customizable eyecare practice websites, access to accredited online CE/CME courses and other benefits."
Similarly, using VisionWeb from within CC Systems' practice management software will help streamline the ordering process for those eyecare practices. Customers using CC Systems' Computerized Optical Systems software will be able to place orders for spectacle lenses over VisionWeb directly through their practice management software, rather than having to manually transcribe data from one platform to another.
"The goal at CC is to provide our customers with the best products possible," said Steve Cohen, founder of CC Systems. "Our new relationship with VisionWeb adds value to those products by enabling us to better serve our eyecare provider and lab customers. The integrated systems will make it easier for our Computerized Optical Systems' users to place orders with labs running any lab management system. In addition, integration with VisionWeb enables labs running Labzilla Optiworker to receive orders directly from the thousands of practices utilizing VisionWeb today."
Eyecare providers, labs and suppliers interested in learning more about the plans for these integrations, as well as other VisionWeb services, can visit the VisionWeb Cyber Café in booth #10109 or CC Systems at booth #ET6063 at the upcoming Vision Expo West Trade Show. Vision Expo West is being held at the Sands Expo and Convention Center from September 18-20, 2003, in Las Vegas, Nev.
ABOUT CC SYSTEMS
Headquartered in Largo, Fla., CC Systems, a member of the OptiCare Health Systems, Inc. family, is a leading provider of software to the optical industry servicing 20 percent of the top 50 optical chains in North America and more than 100 wholesale surfacing labs. For more information, please visit www.opticalonline.com.
ABOUT VISIONWEB
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, VisionWeb, L.P. is the online service to help eyecare providers simplify and streamline their practices. VisionWeb offers convenient and direct-to-supplier online ordering; one-stop access to ophthalmic clinical news and information pooled from more than 1,200 publications worldwide; customizable eyecare practice websites; and other benefits for opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, optical manufacturers, laboratories, distributors and patients. For more information or to register, please visit www.VisionWeb.com.
Block Buying Group Promotes online ordering through www.VisionWeb.com and www.BlockBG.com
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Block Buying Group members receive existing member discounts when placing orders with participating VisionWeb suppliers
Austin, Texas - September 12, 2003 - VisionWeb, L.P., the online service to help eyecare providers simplify and streamline their practices, announced today that it has entered into a relationship with Block Buying Group (BBG), the largest optical buying group in the U.S., to promote online ordering though www.VisionWeb.com and www.BlockBG.com.
"We invite Block Buying Group members to take advantage of the ordering efficiency that Internet technologies provide," said Jim Vitkus, VisionWeb vice president and CMO. "BBG members who utilize VisionWeb can order eyecare products online and enjoy the other benefits of the service, including customizable eyecare practice websites, online CE/CME classes and more."
BBG members receive existing member benefits when placing orders to VisionWeb-connected suppliers on the VisionWeb site. In the near future, www.BlockBG.com will also be integrated with VisionWeb's spectacle lens ordering technology, and BBG members will be able to place orders online and receive discounts for spectacle lens purchases on www.VisionWeb.com and www.BlockBG.com. BBG member benefits include discounts on frame and spectacle lens purchases from many major optical suppliers and discounts from all major contact lens manufacturers. In addition, BBG has negotiated special discounts, which will apply only to orders placed through VisionWeb. Discount details have been negotiated by BBG directly with the labs and suppliers.
"We are excited about our new relationship with VisionWeb," said Michael Block, BBG president and CEO. "I believe that the additional VisionWeb-specific discounts that are now available to our members demonstrate our commitment to our customers, and to improving efficiencies in our members' practices."
ABOUT BLOCK BUYING GROUP
Headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla., Block Buying Group is the largest optical buying group in the U.S. Block Buying Group currently offers the benefits of volume discount purchasing to more than 4,500 eyecare professionals for the purchase of spectacle lenses, frames and contact lenses. For more information, please visit www.BlockBG.com.
ABOUT VISIONWEB
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, VisionWeb, L.P. is the online service to help eyecare providers simplify and streamline their practices. VisionWeb offers convenient and direct-to-supplier online ordering; one-stop access to ophthalmic clinical news and information pooled from more than 1,200 publications worldwide; customizable eyecare practice websites; and other benefits for opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, optical manufacturers, laboratories, distributors and patients. For more information or to register, please visit www.VisionWeb.com.
VisionWeb Processes One Million Orders
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Eyecare industry website continues to integrate with new labs, suppliers and practice management software systems
Austin, Texas - September 11, 2003 - VisionWeb, L.P., the online service to help eyecare providers simplify and streamline their practices, announced today that one million transactions have been processed through its online ordering engines.
"We are pleased to have reached this milestone in our growth," said Jim Vitkus, vice president and CMO. "Our goal is to make VisionWeb a one-stop location where eyecare providers can address all of their ordering needs, and to do this, we are continually adding new labs and suppliers to the website."
Since its launch in early 2002, VisionWeb has connected more than 120 labs and suppliers through its website, offering eyecare providers the ability to order spectacle lenses, frames and contact lenses from their choice of supplier. To simplify the process for labs and suppliers to receive orders from VisionWeb, the company has connected with the Optifacts, OMICS, VisionStar, ESO and other custom lab management systems, enabling labs and suppliers to easily integrate with and receive orders from VisionWeb.
"We are also working to integrate with additional practice management software systems," said Vitkus. "We want eyecare providers to be able to connect to our service in the way that is most convenient to them. In order to help facilitate this, we will be announcing plans for additional integrations in the coming months."
VisionWeb is currently integrated with OfficeMate, the leader in eyecare practice management software, and is working to integrate with Compulink Business System?s Advantage practice management software system.
ABOUT VISIONWEB
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, VisionWeb, L.P. is the online service to help eyecare providers simplify and streamline their practices. VisionWeb offers convenient and direct-to-supplier online ordering; one-stop access to ophthalmic clinical news and information pooled from more than 1,200 publications worldwide; customizable eyecare practice websites; and other benefits for opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, optical manufacturers, laboratories, distributors and patients. For more information or to register, please visit www.VisionWeb.com.
VisionWeb Integrates with Optical Software's OMICS Lab Management Software to Automate Online Orders
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Integration enables additional labs to receive electronic orders from VisionWeb, expanding product offering for VisionWeb members
Austin, Texas - August 7, 2003 - VisionWeb, L.P., the Internet service to help eyecare providers streamline and simplify their practice, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Optical Software, Inc. to integrate VisionWeb into their OMICS lab management software for the eyecare industry.
"Our goal at VisionWeb is to provide our members with a one-stop, neutral ordering environment where they can access all industry labs and suppliers," said Michael O'Malley, CFO and director of business development for VisionWeb. "We are very excited about our new relationship with Optical Software, making it easy for additional labs to provide their products to our members over VisionWeb."
There are currently more than 200 supported labs within North America using Optical Software's OMICS lab management software and a growing number outside North America. This integration enables these labs to electronically receive orders placed by their customers over VisionWeb. VisionWeb members will be able to place orders to the first OMICS labs integrated with VisionWeb within the next several months.
"We are pleased to have entered into this relationship with VisionWeb," said Rodney McKiel, president of Optical Software. "The VisionWeb integration is an added benefit for our lab customers, enabling their ordering processes to run more smoothly, and saving them time and money. This, in turn, makes the ordering process smoother for their customers, the eyecare providers, since the VisionWeb ordering process increases order accuracy and helps eliminate order errors. Optical Software is committed to providing our customers with a wide choice of products so they can effectively compete in the optical marketplace."
ABOUT OPTICAL SOFTWARE
Headquartered in New Brunswick, Canada, with offices in Greensboro, N.C., Optical Software, Inc. is a leading software provider for the eyecare industry with comprehensive management solutions for surfacing laboratories, finishing laboratories, remote tracing and ordering, interfaces with retail applications, custom designed systems, lab consulting services and advanced training programs. For more information about Optical Software, please visit www.omics.com.
ABOUT VISIONWEB
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, VisionWeb L.P. is the Internet-based service to help eyecare providers simplify and streamline their practices. VisionWeb offers convenient and direct-to-supplier online ordering; one-stop access to ophthalmic clinical news and information pooled from 1,200 publications worldwide; customizable websites; and other benefits for opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, optical manufacturers, laboratories, distributors and patients. For more information or to register for VisionWeb, please visit www.visionweb.com.
Former Vistakon Executive Becomes New VisionWeb CEO VisionWeb CEO Jacques Stoerr Retires
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Austin, Texas - July 15, 2003 - VisionWeb, L.P., the Internet service to help eyecare providers streamline and simplify their practice, announced today that its chief executive officer Jacques Stoerr is retiring. Current VisionWeb chief operating officer and former executive of Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., Jeffrey B. Saddington, has moved into the position of chief executive. Saddington officially takes over the position of CEO on July 15, 2003. Stoerr will remain closely involved with VisionWeb as a member of the board of directors, and he will be available as an advisor to the VisionWeb executive team.
"The past year of working with VisionWeb as CEO has been an exciting one," said Stoerr. "There is a great team here, and I will miss them. I am looking forward to returning to my position as a general member of the VisionWeb board of directors. I welcome Jeff to the new position, and I am confident that he will be successful in leading VisionWeb into the future."
Stoerr, whose contributions to the eyecare industry span four decades, came out of retirement in June 2002 to help set the direction of VisionWeb by serving as CEO for a one-year term. VisionWeb has achieved many milestones under his leadership including increasing the VisionWeb membership from several hundred to more than 5,000 eyecare providers, and bringing the American Optometric Association, a leading industry professional association, to VisionWeb as an equity affiliate.
"I am honored to step into the position of CEO at VisionWeb," said Saddington. "Jacques has worked tirelessly over the past year to help propel VisionWeb into a position to truly help eyecare professionals prepare their practices for the future. I am looking forward to the challenge of continuing in this direction, and I am excited to continue working with Jacques in his role as a VisionWeb board member."
Saddington has served as VisionWeb's COO since August 2002. He came to VisionWeb following 30 years at Johnson & Johnson where he held multiple positions in operations, sales and marketing, including vice president of operations worldwide for Vistakon. Saddington previously served as a member of the Global Franchise Team for Vistakon, where he oversaw the production of all Vistakon soft disposable contact lenses, and had responsibility for the products' distribution, facilities, optical tooling and engineering functions.
In addition, while at Johnson & Johnson, Saddington served as a member of the management board of Johnson & Johnson Medical K. K. in Japan in the mid-90's, where he was responsible for building a multi-divisional approach to the medical device business.
Saddington holds a B.S. in Commerce and Engineering Sciences from Drexel University in Philadelphia, where he later earned his MBA degree. He has been active in philanthropic causes, most recently as a member of the board of directors of the I. M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless in Jacksonville, Fla. Saddington is married with five children and resides in Jacksonville.
ABOUT VISIONWEB
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, VisionWeb, L.P. is the premier Internet-based service to help eyecare providers simplify and streamline their practices. VisionWeb offers convenient and direct-to-supplier online ordering; customizable websites for eyecare practices; one-stop access to ophthalmic clinical news and information pooled from 1,200 publications worldwide; and other benefits for opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, optical manufacturers, laboratories, distributors, and patients. For more information or to register for VisionWeb, please visit www.visionweb.com.
VisionWeb to Integrate with Compulink Business System's Advantage Practice Management Software
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Austin, Texas - June 16, 2003 - VisionWeb, the premier Internet tool to help eyecare providers streamline and simplify their practice, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Compulink Business Systems to integrate VisionWeb into Compulink's Advantage Practice Management Software for the eyecare industry.
"We would like all eyecare practices to be able to use VisionWeb and connect to the service in a way that makes the most sense to them," said Jim Vitkus, vice president and CMO. "Since many eyecare providers already utilize Compulink's Advantage practice management software in their day-to-day operations, this integration will enable them to access VisionWeb to facilitate the ordering process while continuing to conduct business as usual."
There are currently more than 2,000 active users of Compulink's Advantage software in the eyecare industry. Once the integration is complete, Compulink will provide access to VisionWeb through its Advantage software to all users with a support agreement.
"We are very excited to be working with VisionWeb on this integration," said Link Wilson, president of Compulink. "We pride ourselves in offering our customers a highly powerful and competitive software package, and we believe that the ability to access VisionWeb directly from the Advantage software will be an added benefit to our customers to help them increase the efficiency of their practices."
Advantage customers will be able to place orders for spectacle lenses, frames and contact lenses over VisionWeb directly through the Advantage software. In addition, they will be able to take advantage of other VisionWeb features including order tracking, access to a comprehensive collection of industry and clinical news and information, access to accredited online Continuing Education courses and other benefits.
Eyecare providers who are interested in learning more about the plans for this integration, as well as other VisionWeb services, can visit the VisionWeb Cyber Café in booth #1151 at the upcoming AOA Congress. The AOA Congress is being held at the San Diego Convention Center from June 19-21, 2003, in San Diego, Calif. For more information or to become a member, visit www.visionweb.com.
ABOUT COMPULINK
Founded in 1985, Compulink Business Systems is the maker of the Advantage practice management software. The Advantage software empowers businesses by completely integrating the financial, the clinical and the administrative components maximizing business efficiency and patient responsiveness. Compulink utilizes the latest in communication technology to connect businesses to third-party software, clinical instruments, patients, claims clearinghouses, labs and other organizations. For more information, please visit www.compulink-software.com.
ABOUT VISIONWEB
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, VisionWeb is the premier Internet-based tool to help eyecare providers simplify and streamline their practices. VisionWeb offers convenient and direct-to-supplier online ordering; one-stop access to ophthalmic clinical news and information pooled from 1,200 publications worldwide; and other benefits for opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, optical manufacturers, laboratories, distributors and patients. For more information or to register for VisionWeb, please visit www.visionweb.com.
VisionWeb Expands Educational Offering to Its Members
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VisionWeb Members Now Have Direct Access to the American Optometric Association's Clinical Practice Guidelines
AUSTIN, Texas - June 2, 2003 - VisionWeb, the premier Internet-based tool to help eyecare providers simplify and streamline their practices, announced today that it has expanded its online information offering to its members by providing direct access to the American Optometric Association's Clinical Practice Guidelines.
"This is the first of many benefits VisionWeb members will receive as a result of the new equity affiliate relationship between the AOA and VisionWeb," said Jim Vitkus, vice president and chief marketing officer of VisionWeb. "Access to this type of information for our members is a priority to us, and we will continue adding valuable materials like this to our website as a result of this new relationship." The AOA recently joined VisionWeb as an equity affiliate, which signifies the AOA's dedication to the advancement of the optical industry, and to initiatives that bring value to the optometric practice.
The clinical practice guidelines are recommendations for patient care, which have been through a formal process by the AOA. Each of the Optometric Practice Guidelines has been developed by a consensus panel of optometrists who were selected for their knowledge and experience in that area. The guidelines have gone through extensive review processes within the AOA and represent a broad consensus on guidelines for current optometric care.
"We are very excited about our new equity affiliate relationship with VisionWeb," said J. Pat Cummings, O.D, president of AOA. "The Clinical Practice Guidelines are a valuable benefit to AOA members, and we are excited to open this offering up to VisionWeb members, as well."
There are currently 20 different AOA Clinical Practice Guidelines available. The wide variety of topics includes general and specific eye care guidelines for pediatrics and adults.
To gain access to resources on VisionWeb, eyecare practitioners simply need to become a VisionWeb member. To do so, an eyecare practitioner can visit www.visionweb.com, click on the "Register Now" button at the right-hand side of the screen and complete a short registration form. VisionWeb members can take advantage of these and other resources, as well as enjoying the simplicity of placing orders for contact lenses, spectacle lenses and frames online anytime, day or night.
ABOUT VISIONWEB
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, VisionWeb is the premier Internet-based tool to help eyecare providers simplify and streamline their practices. VisionWeb offers convenient and direct-to-supplier online ordering; one-stop access to ophthalmic clinical news and information pooled from 1,200 publications worldwide; and other benefits for opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, optical manufacturers, laboratories, distributors and patients. For more information or to register for VisionWeb, please visit www.visionweb.com.
ABOUT THE AOA
The American Optometric Association (AOA), founded in 1898, represents more than 33,000 doctors of optometry, students of optometry, and paraoptometric assistants and technicians in more than 6,600 communities across the country and in foreign countries. AOA members are dedicated to providing the highest quality of eyecare. AOA is headquartered in St. Louis, MO. For more information on the AOA, please visit www.aoa.org.
American Optometric Association Finalizes Affiliation Agreement With VisionWeb
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AOA Officially Joins Industry Leaders to Bring the Efficiency of the Internet to the Eyecare Industry.
AUSTIN, TX, and St. Louis, MO - May 2, 2003 - VisionWeb, the Internet-based tool to help eyecare providers simplify and streamline their practices, and the American Optometric Association (AOA) today announced that the AOA has become an equity participant in VisionWeb.
The announcement signifies the AOA's dedication to the optometric community, and its role in helping move the entire eyecare industry forward. As part of the agreement, the AOA will receive one voting seat on the VisionWeb Board of Directors.
"This is a very exciting announcement for our organization," said C. Thomas Crooks III, O. D., of the AOA. "VisionWeb is an easy way to help streamline tasks and increase efficiency in the practice, and our members' businesses and their patients will benefit from that." Dr. Crooks will represent the AOA on the VisionWeb board of directors.
Jacques Stoerr, Chief Executive Officer of VisionWeb, adds, "We are delighted to finalize this agreement. The AOA is instrumental in promoting efforts that bring value to the eyecare practitioner, and VisionWeb is the best way for optometrists to conduct business online."
Since 1898, the AOA has been a champion of causes and efforts to improve vision care and to help optometrists grow and succeed professionally. The participation in VisionWeb provides the AOA an opportunity to help its members recognize the benefits of e-commerce. The AOA counts over 33,000 optometrists, optometric faculty, optometry students, and optometric technicians among its constituency.
The AOA joins other industry visionaries dedicated to helping move the eyecare industry forward by introducing the speed, accuracy, and efficiency that the Internet's instant communication provides. Other VisionWeb equity participants include Essilor of America, Inc., the nation's leading manufacturer and distributor of spectacle lenses; Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., manufacturer of the world's three best-selling contact lens brands; Advanced Medical Optics, the respected producer of ophthalmic pharmaceuticals and other products; Jobson LLC, the top publisher of ophthalmic industry and clinical information; and Marchon Eyewear, Inc., the world's largest privately owned producer and distributor of fashion eyewear, as well as the largest provider of practice management software to the US market.
At www.visionweb.com, eyecare providers can enjoy direct-to-supplier ordering of spectacle lenses, contacts lenses, frames, and lab work with one-stop convenience, and track those orders 24/7 until they reach the patient. As an open and neutral exchange, VisionWeb invites all eyecare manufacturers and distributors to participate. Through the participation of Marchon Eyewear, Inc., VisionWeb offers a seamless interface between the OfficeMate® practice management system and the VisionWeb procurement engines. The website also offers a comprehensive collection of industry and clinical news and information, and other benefits for eyecare providers.
ABOUT VISIONWEB
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, VisionWeb is the premier Internet-based tool to help eyecare providers streamline and simplify their practices. VisionWeb offers convenient and direct-to-supplier online ordering; one-stop access to ophthalmic clinical news and information pooled from 1,200 publications around the world; and other benefits for opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, optical manufacturers, laboratories, distributors and patients.
ABOUT THE AOA
The American Optometric Association (AOA), founded in 1898, represents more than 33,000 doctors of optometry, students of optometry, and paraoptometric assistants and technicians in more than 6,600 communities across the country and in foreign countries. AOA members are dedicated to providing the highest quality of eyecare. AOA is headquartered in St. Louis, MO.
VisionWeb Teams With Vision Star to Automate Online Lab Orders
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Eyecare professionals save time and increase accuracy, with online ease.
AUSTIN, Texas - March 11, 2003 - VisionWeb, the premier online portal serving the eyecare industry, today announced a partnership with Vision Star to introduce an online electronic link directly to the ViStar Laboratory Management Software (LMS). This partnership allows eyecare professionals to easily place secure and accurate orders for spectacle lenses through the VisionWeb site, www.visionweb.com, to any of VisionWeb's optical laboratory partners using the ViStar LMS.
"Our partnership with Vision Star provides an excellent opportunity for eyecare practices to order and track their spectacle lens purchases with increased efficiency and accuracy," said Jacques Stoerr, Chief Executive Officer of VisionWeb. It also brings VisionWeb another step closer in its commitment to bring the efficiencies of the Internet to the vision care community. Stoerr adds, "The electronic link with VisionWeb gives laboratories using the ViStar LMS real cutting edge technology advantages."
"Vision Star and VisionWeb have created a link that routes orders directly from the eyecare practitioner's office to the participating ViStar lab, eliminating the re-keying of patient data so labs can provide more timely order-processing and status to their customers," said David Greer, President of Vision Star. He continued, "We believe that our partnership brings tremendous value to our customers running the ViStar LMS, and we encourage them to become a member of the VisionWeb online eye care network."
The combination also provides greater reach for participating labs. "We're excited about the opportunity to be a VisionWeb supplier, both in terms of the improved productivity, as well as larger market share," commented Dale Parmenteri, Vice President of Balester Optical. Balester Optical, a full-service optical company, has long been a user of the ViStar LMS and is one of the first to test the combined power of VisionWeb and ViStar.
For more information, please visit www.visionweb.com.
ABOUT VISIONWEB
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, VisionWeb is the premier Internet-based tool designed to help eyecare providers streamline and simplify their practices. VisionWeb offers convenient and direct-to-supplier online ordering; one-stop access to ophthalmic clinical news and information pooled from 1,200 publications around the world; and other benefits for opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, optical manufacturers, laboratories, distributors, and patients.
ABOUT VISION STAR
Located in Portland Oregon, Vision Star has been providing optical lab automation software and associated services to the some of the industries largest enterprises since 1972. Vision Star's newest product, ViStar Lab Management System (LMS) V03, embodies the commitment to bring state of the art manufacturing technology to the optical industry. Vision Star is committed to open systems and open access.
ABOUT BALESTER
Located in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania, Balester Optical Company is a full service wholesale optical laboratory. Balester's has been serving the ophthalmic community since 1934 and is one of the oldest optical laboratories in the United States.
OfficeMate and VisionWeb Partner to Streamline Practice Management
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All Major Contact Lens Brands Now Available Online at Optical Industry Portal.
Austin, Texas - March 10, 2003 - OfficeMate Software Solutions, the leader in eyecare practice management software, and VisionWeb, the premier Internet-based eyecare practice tool, announced they have entered the next phase of beta-testing a new version of OfficeMate that integrates VisionWeb's remote order-entry functionality. The new system enables eyecare practitioners to order products from within the OfficeMate software environment, saving time and streamlining the task of re-keying patient information.
The announcement comes as more and more eyecare practices incorporate technology that helps them to run a more efficient business and provide better service to their patients. Using OfficeMate with VisionWeb, customers can access existing patient and prescription data to create orders for lenses, frames, and contact lenses, and automatically transmit those orders to their suppliers over the Internet. The result is a dramatic increase in order accuracy, elimination of redundant data entry, reduced turnaround time, and, ultimately, better patient service.
"Our company is focused on providing technology solutions that benefit the eyecare practice," said Ed Buffington, CEO of OfficeMate Software Solutions. "Since we began testing, our customers immediately recognized that the ability to order products directly from within the OfficeMate software was an exciting feature." About 7,100 eyecare practices currently use OfficeMate software. The suite of products includes OfficeMate for practice management, OPIS ReportWRITER for patient and professional communications, and ExamWRITER for electronic medial records software.
"We're very excited to be a part of the beta-test for the combined VisionWeb and OfficeMate product and believe this type of automation represents the future of eyecare practices," commented Dr. Robert Rosenstein, OD, FAAO of Rosenstein Eye Center in Durham, NC."The ability to enter patient information directly into the system from the exam room eliminates the chance of errors that frequently occur from transcribing and re-keying,"Dr. Rosenstein continued.
"There clearly is an opportunity to provide substantial benefit to the practitioner with our combined technologies," said Jim Vitkus, Chief Marketing Officer at VisionWeb. "VisionWeb dramatically makes the task of ordering patient eyewear more efficient while minimizing errors, and the ability to access the service directly within the practice management software means that practitioners and office staff can concentrate more on providing quality patient service."
VisionWeb, whose service enables online order placement to over 100 suppliers in the optical industry, began working with OfficeMate in 2002 to incorporate their functionality into OfficeMate software. Close to 4,000 eyecare professionals have become VisionWeb members since its launch in March of 2002.
The companies will continue to conduct this next phase of beta-testing with a small group of customers to ensure a seamless integration and that the benefits to the eyecare practice are fully realized. A rollout to the broader marketplace is planned following the completion of beta testing.
ABOUT VISIONWEB
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, VisionWeb, L.P. is the online service to help eyecare providers simplify and streamline their practices. VisionWeb offers convenient and direct-to-supplier online ordering; one-stop access to ophthalmic clinical news and information pooled from more than 1,200 publications worldwide; customizable eyecare practice websites; and other benefits for opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, optical manufacturers, laboratories, distributors and patients. For more information or to register, please visit www.visionweb.com.
ABOUT OFFICEMATE SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS
OfficeMate Software Solutions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marchon Eyewear. Marchon Eyewear is the world's largest privately owned producer and distributor of fashion-aware, technologically advanced eyewear and sunwear. OfficeMate Software Solutions, based in Irvine, California, is the best selling software for eyecare practice management and is the leader in total practice management solutions. OfficeMate Software Solutions has been providing practice management software to Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Opticians since 1991. |
