AVImark vs IBM

About

AVImark is a veterinary practice management software system that has been widely deployed in independent veterinary practices across the United States for decades, and is currently owned by Covetrus—the animal health technology and distribution company formed from the combination of Henry Schein Animal Health and Vets First Choice, which was subsequently acquired by IDEXX Laboratories. AVImark's strength lies in its deep penetration of the independent small-animal practice market, where it became the de facto standard system for many practices that adopted practice management software in the 1990s and 2000s. The software provides scheduling, medical records, invoicing, inventory management, and client communication in an on-premise Windows-based system that has been continuously developed and supported through multiple ownership transitions.\n\nAVImark's integration with IDEXX's reference laboratory and diagnostic services is a significant feature of the current product, allowing practices to send laboratory orders electronically and receive results directly within the AVImark patient record. This IDEXX connectivity is particularly valuable for practices that are already IDEXX lab customers and want to reduce manual result transcription. Covetrus has also integrated AVImark with its online pharmacy and prescription management services, creating a connected ecosystem that links practice management, diagnostics, and medication dispensing for AVImark-using clinics.\n\nAVImark faces competitive pressure from cloud-native veterinary practice management systems including Shepherd, ezyVet, and Digitail that offer more modern user experiences, mobile accessibility, and frequent feature updates without requiring on-premise hardware. Covetrus has been investing in a cloud migration path for AVImark customers while also offering its newer Pulse platform as a cloud-native alternative for practices ready to move off legacy on-premise systems. The installed base of AVImark users represents a significant asset for Covetrus but also a long-term migration and retention challenge as the industry shifts toward cloud deployment.