Although we are aware of practices utilising the OpenVPMS software, the OpenVPMS organisation does not itself have customers that we can legitimately refer to you.In order to get in contact with any practice that is currently using OpenVPMS I suggest you post to the users list or forum and request if any interested, live practices can arrange a suitable private or public discussion with you about their use of the OpenVPMS product.

The founders of OpenVPMS believe its open source projects could eventually be used as a standard software foundation for the majority of Veterinary software products used globally. Having an industry standard for data storage would serve vets and our industry equally. This imperative has already been realised and is being acted on, in other health industries.

We would eventually like to see the OpenVPMS kernel owned and controlled by an independent industry body rather than OpenVPMS. The founders of OpenVPMS still see themselves taking an active role in this body. Indeed the majority of them will still rely on its products! Our aim is to achieve this transfer of control within a period of 3-5 years.

It is fair to say that the yearly cost of the subscription will be significantly less than purchasing and maintaining most current major practice management software systems. Click here to see up to date Subscription rates

The fundamental differences are:

• Open VPMS is a not for profit organisation with a simple agenda. Providing reasonable software solutions for its members.
• You can utilise any service provider you wish for technical or software support.
• You are free to migrate your information to another software package without restriction.

As we are all aware there is no such thing as a free lunch and open source software is not the same as "free" software. . In order to repay the necessary capital from stakeholders and to deliver and maintain the development program, OpenVPMS needs to generate adequate funds from its activities.

There are a number of business models in the open source area that we looked at. Many open source companies rely on income from consulting fees for providing specific services such as training, support and deployment.

We decided that developers and other companies that will build up around the OpenVPMS products are best to deliver these services. This fosters choice and competition to the industries benefit.

In the end we decided that the simplest and fairest way of achieving our business aims was to have Veterinary Practices pay a regular yearly subscription to OpenVPMS so they can run the software in their practice. See up to date Subscription rates

OpenVPMS is structured as a not-for-profit organisation whose members are comprised of;

1. Users of its products (eg. Veterinarians using the Open VPMS web application to manage their practices).
2. Developers utilising the open source code to create other products or add to the existing web application.
3. Interested parties such as associated industry (e.g. Veterinary pharmaceutical companies, laboratories, microchip registries and wholesalers).

Open VPMS is run by a board of Directors that manage the business from day to day. The Directors are either involved in or have an interest in the veterinary profession and contribute a mixture of vision, expertise, funds and industry knowledge to the overall goals of the Organisation.

There are no shareholders, as all profits can only be used to advance the cause of the organisation and it's members.

OpenVPMS is a not for profit organisation built around the development and supply of open source Veterinary Practice Management Systems. OpenVPMS is owned by its members. A committee populated by members, manages its operation.