When it comes to selecting the right software for your practice, there are hundreds of features for providers to compare. The positive aspects of software might be immediately transparent, but ranking the value between different software products with their own feature sets can be quite tricky. Independent assessments of quality and value, as well as unbiased reviews, can both provide objective comparisons to rank products.

The Independent Clinicians Report compares software using several criteria, including cost, service agreement value, upgrades, user satisfaction, and overall return on investment. This report found that MacPractice has one of the highest user satisfaction percentages (92%) across several of these key criteria and won the CR Choice designation in the Independent Clinicians Report.

Software is never a one size fits all solution, but recommendations from peers can be invaluable. Consult with case studies, testimonials, and reviews to get a feel for how other users have benefitted from the software. You might also read reviews that a company provides to find out how the software you are considering has solved other problems for practices similar to your own. Providers can also ask their peers what technologies they are using to independently research potential software products. A recommendation from a colleague can be worth a great deal, even though

When you evaluate the cost of technology solutions, resist the urge to become fixated on the acquisition price rather than evaluating the total cost of ownership. IBM found that PCs are three times as expensive to manage and that they save $535 for every Mac. Every Mac saves them money.

Choosing the practice management software that's right for your practice is an important decision, whether you're opening a new practice or transitioning from another product. Your practice management software is the center of your practice. Independent research can help you move through the hyperbole and find a software company that can be a valuable partner in your business.