Thanks Travis,
David, I think you may be misunderstanding what I have said. I don't think you are in the minority at all. I am hoping you can explain your "rapier, not a hand grendade statement," because I didn't understand it.
I think everyone above is glad of their choice as they stated and by virtue of the fact they and I have kept it so long.
I have no issue with the cost increase. I just think that Jon announced the price increase AND gave reasons for doing so. I think that either all of those reasons either aren't enough or there are other things that could be done that AC is letting slide.
I can not agree MORE with Travis when he states that you keep customers by keeping them happy. AC may get more by moving forward, but in doing so, I feel they are somewhat alienating those that have supported them in the past.
The scheduler and the letter writer are two huge things that could be improved. If I had a dollar for every post about the letter writer, I could give up medicine. I do find it frustrating that so many users come on here everyday and come up with ideas. I guess you could call it complaining, but I tend to think that bringing up faults while offering solutions isn't the same.
A lot of companies are motivated by their stockholders and feel they have to keep them happy. AC hasn't gone public. In a way, AC's stockholders are its customers. Look at all the advertising for AC. I don't see much. AC is spread by word of mouth more than any product I have seen in a long time. And, a lot of that comes from the board. This board is so helpful to potential users, new users and older users alike. It is a vast resource for AC. I think, in return, the users could be listened to.
I just spent the last five hours sitting here with my programmer pouring over fixes and improvements for two of our programs. These small fixes are going to make a drastic improvement in both. It is very helpful to be able to work with a programmer who is so responsive and able to fix bugs and add enhancements and respond to the ideas I have so quickly. Sure, he has only five to ten users to worry about, but he also is one person who doesn't paid. I used to say that Microsoft will not come out with a new OS or Office Suite until they are ready, and they don't listen to much to their customers, although I do get emails back when I suggest some. I used to think AC was like that.
But, I think this is different. It is a much smaller company with very active, enthusiastic users. It really is a very tight knit community.
I am wholeheartedly behind AC and would never switch EMRs. I have no issue at all with the price increase. I just think that it has brought to a head some of the issues about fixing some of the old problems and tweaking the program so it does fit the work flow of the physicians better.
