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See 20/20 launches “revolutionary” software update

Practice management software firm helps high street opticians battle online suppliers Leading software firm.

See20/20 has launched a revolutionary update to its practice management system at this year’s BCLA conference to help opticians compete with web-based suppliers of glasses and contact lenses. See20/20 has added two major components - Direct Debit and Payment Manager (DDPM) and Contact Lens Manager (CLM) to its market leading software. These developments will allow opticians to offer numerous payment types, improving customer service and the efficiency and profitability of the practice.

The software update allows spectacle payments to be taken at the time of sale, on collection or from multiple payments over a period of months. Payments can also be taken using a combination of these methods and is both an ideal way of increasing average spends and selling additional pairs. If required, it will also allow the optician to offer payment plans with the customer building a credit allowance for their next visit and purchase.

Paul Houston, Sales & Marketing Director at See20/20 said: “Web-based suppliers of glasses and contact lenses are feeding like sharks on the UK population of spectacle and contact lens wearers. This software will revolutionise the way opticians sell spectacles and contact lenses and allow them to fight back against this challenge. I know it’s a bold statement, but after much research we know this is the way forward for opticians to profitably compete in a very competitive marketplace.”

Contact lenses can be sold using two different payment mechanisms which can both auto-generate an order direct to the supplier and despatch direct to the customers address or the practice for collection.

The first option is a one-off cash transaction, using the pay-as-you-wear with auto-replenishment service. This will auto-generate product reminders via email, text message or letter reminding the patient that their last purchase is about to run-out and prompt them to purchase more lenses.

The alternative is a subscription service, where the customer joins a bespoke contact lens replacement scheme that can include a range of services such as consultations, after care services and products. This scheme can be tailored to meet the patient’s exact requirements and lifestyle, leading to more patient loyalty and return visits and future purchases.

Direct Debit and Payment Manager uses paper Direct Debit Instruction (DDI) and/or the Automated Direct Debit Instruction Service (AUDDIS). Direct Debits are simply created using the scheme information and auto bank validation - inserting the customers sort code and bank account will auto-populate the remaining fields required and validate the account ensuring it can actually accept the debit. The banking instructions are then electronically transferred between the originators and paying banks with the optician having nothing else to do except to manage non-paying customers. An AUDDIS originator simply sends new Direct Debit Instructions via BACS to the paying bank for lodgement. The system is used by many originators to improve their processes, which in turn reduces costs and administration, resulting in a better quality service.

Paul Houston added: “Currently more than 90 per cent of all Direct Debits are set up using AUDDIS. For these Originators, AUDDIS has a significant impact on the way new Direct Debits are processed. Organisations that use the system enjoy greater control and efficiency than paper submitters, as it removes the requirement for originators to send paper instructions to each paying bank and building society when processing a new Direct Debit. This facility saves administration time and, more importantly, reduces the time to set up new Direct Debits. The standard 10 working day set-up time can be reduced to five working days from the DDI lodgement date.

“Combine these benefits and features with the existing See20/20 software offer, including the recently added Business Intelligence reporting and updated marketing console, and the product becomes an invaluable tool for any practice that’s serious about providing a high level service to its customer base and most importantly, simultaneously making a profit”. If the above is of interest and you would like to know more about the above software please contact on 0845 6120 141 or paulh@see2020.co.uk .
Jun 2008

f the above is of interest and you would like to know more about the above software please contact on 0845 6120 141 or paulh@see2020.co.uk.