The OpenVPMS business is based on an open source, your choice model. The core database structure will be available for all software developers to incorporate into their Veterinary Management software if so desired.

Because of its inherently stable and upgradeable design it will be a basis for much higher quality software in our industry. This model fosters open availability and contribution to the software by all parties.

By doing this we not only deliver high quality, highly adaptive and industry driven solutions we also provide the user with a choice of service providers who can provide the best service for their needs. This is a key business goal for OpenVPMS.

Current Veterinary Software providers operate on a traditional software model. This model is based on you paying for a license to use the software and for services to maintain and update the software and provide technical support.

This model relies heavily on strict licensing restrictions and no access to the source code. This forces you to rely on, and pay for, services delivered exclusively by the supplier to maintain and update your system. If the supplier cannot or will not deliver appropriate service or requested enhancements often your only choice is to live with it or move to another software provider. The latter option is generally very expensive and often the original supplier will even make it difficult or very expensive to migrate existing information to a newer system.

This is called Vendor lock-in and in small markets dominated by a few large software providers such as the Veterinary market has a tendency to foster poor quality products and service.

OpenVPMS vision is not to be just another Veterinary Software provider but to be a key agent in changing the fundamentals of how the Veterinary Software industry operates.