Positive Solutions

[WhatCost]

We've actually got a guide on ePOS systems for pharmacies, feel free to give it a read sometime.

[KurtR]

Re: Positive Solutions

We switched from Pharmacy Manager to Positive Solutions about 6 months ago. Whilst PS is good in many ways, (for me) the stock management is less intuitive than PM. In particular, the absence of a proper 'balance' style auto ordering function on PS is a big weakness. The PS stock control options are bewildering and probably suit the technophile, but for average user, they are too complex. Written by tecchies for tecchies IMO.

[Pharmanaut]

Re: Positive Solutions

I found Pharmacy Manager the best of the lot. Particularly liked the flash screen giving info about any particular pt.
johnep

'Advanced patient notes'. I miss it.

[johnep]

Re: Positive Solutions

I found Pharmacy Manager the best of the lot. Particularly liked the flash screen giving info about any particular pt.
johnep

[Pharmanaut]

Re: Positive Solutions

Do you use the auto ordering with Proscript? I've never quite fathomed it out. How do you consolidate all different generic brands into 'one' stock figure for a particular product e.g. atenolol 50mg

This is just what pharmacy manager does, but it keeps brand, branded-generic, PI and true generic stock separately so that you know where you are.
True generic stock is kept at a 'conglomerate level'. To switch around you use CTRL-B to see brands, branded-generics, brand PI and CTRL-G to see generic suppliers.
You just set up 'switching defaults' and does what you have decided and sorts out where to send the order for you.
The ordering and defaults take some getting used to but it does make sense once you get into it.
EPS2 is also integrated - you use the eMessage tab.
Haven't used it in a while - its Proscript here at the moment.
Someone said that cedgedim are reworking some parts of it too.

[JonF]

Re: Positive Solutions

I do agree with you on the customization. We have the AAH Link version however customer support is quite good through them. I think it may be that RX are more keen to keep wholesalers happy than their end users. I have found it difficult to get assistance with cascades and ordering from third parties other than AAH using proscript. We are in the process of looking at ordering and or buying systems. Pharmacy buyer used to sell for about 2K. But Rx have now got an exclusive deal with them and I was quoted £10K and £40 per shop per month by RX for the same kit. Like I said earlier the simplest thing is made complicated to look like rocket science by these IT companies and then they charge the earth and cost more than what you save. I am considering having some programmers do some bespoke work for us on to create our own ordering system

Do you use the auto ordering with Proscript? I've never quite fathomed it out. How do you consolidate all different generic brands into 'one' stock figure for a particular product e.g. atenolol 50mg

[sidney]

Re: Positive Solutions

<I am considering having some programmers do some bespoke work for us on to create our own ordering system >

Not sure how you would integrate it into the dispensing software though.
Standalone should be fairly straightforward if you can get a product file from your wholesaler.
Mind you - why not get that and build your own PMR system around it and add EPS on.
With the right programmers you could do it fairly quickly.

There are a number of companies that sell stand alone software for ordering which can be integrated into any pmr. In fact Pos solution offered theirs as order manager to us and informed us it works with proscript. Cegedem also offer one and state on their website that it will work with any pmr.

I have a good deal with pmr that I am happy with so will not be looking at that at the moment

[Pharmanaut]

Re: Positive Solutions

<I am considering having some programmers do some bespoke work for us on to create our own ordering system >

Not sure how you would integrate it into the dispensing software though.
Standalone should be fairly straightforward if you can get a product file from your wholesaler.
Mind you - why not get that and build your own PMR system around it and add EPS on.
With the right programmers you could do it fairly quickly.

[sidney]

Re: Positive Solutions

Rx Systems are coming out with a new version in the next 18 months, however, if current experience is to go on, then I'm not prepared to wait. Proscript in its current form is very poor in the way it handles EPS, too slow to do even basic things. I'm reasonably computer literate and i find it very hard to customise Proscript to my liking, just trying to tag which products you want dispensing takes an inordinate amount of 'clicks' and is not intuitive. It is extremely buggy and customer support is poor.

I do agree with you on the customization. We have the AAH Link version however customer support is quite good through them. I think it may be that RX are more keen to keep wholesalers happy than their end users. I have found it difficult to get assistance with cascades and ordering from third parties other than AAH using proscript. We are in the process of looking at ordering and or buying systems. Pharmacy buyer used to sell for about 2K. But Rx have now got an exclusive deal with them and I was quoted £10K and £40 per shop per month by RX for the same kit. Like I said earlier the simplest thing is made complicated to look like rocket science by these IT companies and then they charge the earth and cost more than what you save. I am considering having some programmers do some bespoke work for us on to create our own ordering system

[Pharmanaut]

Re: Positive Solutions

On cedgedims Pharmacy Manager you choose the pack and then CTR-B to see the brands or CTRL-G to see the generics.
You can also set it up to order the 'bucket' generics from your wholesalers.

[JonF]

Re: Positive Solutions

Rx Systems are coming out with a new version in the next 18 months, however, if current experience is to go on, then I'm not prepared to wait. Proscript in its current form is very poor in the way it handles EPS, too slow to do even basic things. I'm reasonably computer literate and i find it very hard to customise Proscript to my liking, just trying to tag which products you want dispensing takes an inordinate amount of 'clicks' and is not intuitive. It is extremely buggy and customer support is poor.

[sidney]

Re: Positive Solutions

unless they've changed their contracts, Cegedim charge you 3 months support once you terminate your contract at the end of the fixed term, although they will refund this if you take out another system within 12 months. This really peeved me...but it was in my contract so I had to pay. But its worth looking for any hidden costs in any contracts before you sign.. ( it was a few years ago so if someone wants to put me straight as to why i had to pay this ... feel free)

Be careful of these contracts RX contract gives you a window of three months once your initial contract finishes and if you don't cancel at that time it rolls over for another 12 months. Seems a bit sharp practice to me to be in the small print but probably not worth a challenge in the courts as the amount involved is relatively small

[sidney]

Re: Positive Solutions

I looked at Positive solutions for epos and decided not to go for them for what it is it is well overpriced. If you google epos you will find several epos solutions significantly cheaper. These so called pharmacy specialists IT tech companies add a C&D module add pharmacy to the name of the system and try to sell it off as rocket science.

As for PMR RX I think are coming out with a new offering in the next 18 months which will sing and dance as well

[mrmeds]

Re: Positive Solutions

unless they've changed their contracts, Cegedim charge you 3 months support once you terminate your contract at the end of the fixed term, although they will refund this if you take out another system within 12 months. This really peeved me...but it was in my contract so I had to pay. But its worth looking for any hidden costs in any contracts before you sign.. ( it was a few years ago so if someone wants to put me straight as to why i had to pay this ... feel free)

[BrianA]

Re: Positive Solutions

Positive Solutions Analyst is excellent. It is being developed and improved all the time unlike some systems that just stand still.