Dental Lab Products - December 2008 - (Page 26) PURCHASINGTRENDS “IT IS STILL POSSIBLE TO GROW DURING THESE TROUBLING FINANCIAL TIMES, JUST AT A SLOWER RATE.” —JIM GLIDEWELL, CDT, GLIDEWELL LABORATORIES continuing education courses that focus on the business side of running a dental laboratory, though he points out that such courses are not as frequent as those aimed at running the dental practice. Results from the September 2008 DLP that Zahn will introduce a promotion early in 2009 that will provide qualifying Zahn customers with SupplyNet inventory management software at no cost. Industry-speci c software programs are available (see page 72 for a listing of computer software companies) that are designed to help laboratory owners manage their whole business picture, from account scheduling to payroll in addition to supplies. Bryen suggests even an o -the-shelf generic business management program such as Intuit’s QuickBooks is a step in the right direction in terms of organizing all the business aspects of running a lab that can overwhelm the lab owner not familiar with nance details. Facing factors Top 5 “Very important” considerations for new purchases Buyers Guide industry survey ref lect Bryen’s concerns. Only 11.2% of laboratory owners responded that they consult with an economic advisor when making purchasing decisions, compared to 57.1% who rely on colleague recommendations and 29.6% who involve employees. 67.0% 65.3% 60.4% Grow business Increasing productivity THE DIGITAL APPROACH While personal advice from a supplier or a nancial consultant tailored to your individual business needs is the ideal, computerized automation often serves as a suitable strategy for streamlining supply e ciency. According to Acquafredda, Zahn o ers several software and on-line solutions to help laboratories with inventory and supply management, such as SupplyNet and ArubA eZ. ese digital programs track orders, pro le inventory history, and streamline purchasing as well as keep tabs on prescriptions from dentists, all to help eliminate redundancies and waste. “Whether it’s peak economic times or any other time during their business cycle, it is greatly bene cial for laboratory owners to have an inventory management system in place,” Acquafredda said. “Our digital, high-tech product line helps our customers to reduce labor costs and increase productivity, and it should really be a routine business practice for them.” She added Return on investment FOCUS STRATEGY Laboratory owners looking to tighten their operations and cut costs—in good times as well as bad—should look to streamlining their entire enterprise through a focused business model. “ e average lab is getting brutally beaten this year,” said DiBlasi. “ e business is on two levels these days. You are either a production lab, or you’re a boutique lab. If you’re anywhere in between and you don’t know what your business model is, you’re getting hurt. ere is no middle tier.” He recommends that laboratory owners identify their market and key in on their target client. “Focus your product line on those aspects of the market where you can compete best in this economic climate,” added Harris. Even with a shrinking economy, now dentallabproducts Streamline/ improve procedures 50.0% 50.0% Better patient care Source: November 2008 DLP Buyers Guide Survey. 26 BUYERSGUIDE2009
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