HearForm vs. Sycle.net
Sycle.net is our most respeted competitor. According to a 2102 Academy of Doctors pf Audiology Survey (seen below), Sycle and HearForm have about two thirds of the audiology community market. Sycle has a clear edge when it comes to the number of overall practices. This is in large part due to the fact that Sycle has negotiated contracts with large organizations such as Costco, Miracle Ear, Newport Audiology and Starkey stores.
The president of one of the organizations listed above, told us that they do not refer their customers to HearForm, because we do not provide them a commission. With respect to that president, we want to earn referrals because of our product, not our renumeration policies.
Other organizations, such as the Elite network will not refer to anyone except Sycle. One of the founders of Sycle, Randy Drullinger, is a former Sonus team member. Randy's relationship has helped to keep the Elite network from referring to TIMS, BluePrint or HearForm. We would encourage Elite and other organizations to consider recommending products and services based upon merit, more than commissions and relationships.
We are pleased that both Audigy and AHAA currently recommend that their members look at all possible choices and chose the product that is in their best interest.
Notice that when the survey respondents were limited to ADA members, (typical independent and very forward thinking professionals), HearForm's market share went up by 42 percent (not points) from 19% to 27% of the market. Conversely, Sycle's market share went down 21 percent (not points) from 47% to 37%. When you remove Costco locations, Miracle Ear, Audibel, etc.. serious professionals are much more likely to choose HearForm. Sycle is still 10 points higher than HearForm, but let's look at what's going on behind the scenes...
HearForm has advertised in journals twice in 22 years. (Both half page ads.) Sycle advertises every month in multiple journals at a cost of $3,000 to $5,000 per full page ad. Who pays for those ads? Sycle users pay, every month. HearForm gets all of its business from our web presence and primarily, word of mouth. Your colleagues are our best advertisers. People love to tell others if they really like a product. That kind of advertising budget helps HearForm be the most affordable software in the industry, over time.
As previously mentioned, Sycle also gets referrals from 3 or 4 of the top 6 hearing aid suppliers. (Oticon used to refer to Sycle, but now refers exclusively to BluePrint, as they have a "Strategic Partnership.") HearForm has NO FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIP with any manufacturer. We choose to remain completely independent. Even with Sycle's thousands of referrals from Sonus, Elite, Starkey and all the others mentioned above, HearForm comes in at a respectable second place. If we advertised every month and paid referral fees and built strong relationships with decision makers, HearForm would have a significant greater market share. Instead, we choose to focus on our product.
Perhaps you manage your own advertising the way that HearForm does or maybe the way that Sycle does... or somewhere in between, but we hope you see that referrals from happy customers are often the best source of new business.
Ask Sycle what their total advertising budget is each year. Along with trade shows, Journal ads, Audiologyonline, etc..., it is likely over $100,000 to $200,000. HearForm spends less than $1,000 per year...and we are still only 10% behind Sycle with ADA members. We pass the savings to our customers, but more importantly, we invest in product much more than promotion.
As of 2-2-2013, Sycle lists 4 staff members (not counting the president) on their website, as members of their "sales team." Other than the president, HearForm's only sales team is our software.
Somewhat Polite: Sycle.net and HearForm Comparison
Executive Summary Sycle.net used to have one advantage over HearForm Software. Now that HearForm optionally offers its software online using a browser or remote desktop, that Sycle advantage has disappeared. (HearForm is available ONLINE - In the Cloud!) A thorough comparison between the two products will show that HearForm is the best choice for the majority of Hearing Care Professionals. HearForm is.... Significantly More Powerful Significantly More Flexible Significantly Less Expensive Really. |
 |
Click here for a PDF of our comparison sheet.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read on if you'd like to see some of the details. We will shortly post our new page that offers a more frank discussion of Sycle for those that don't mind reading
details that might seem agressive to some.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The choice for Hearing Healthcare Practice Management Software has become more focused.
Siemens Practice Navigator is longer available and Siemens has stated that they will not support the previously sold systems.
Starkey has stated that they no longer plan on putting any additional investment into the ProHear OMS. Starkey will no longer support older versions of ProHear.
Since being purchased by Computers Unlimited, TIMS (Formerly Online Claims Audiology) has diminished significantly in market share.
The two dominant players in the industry are now HearForm Software and Sycle.net. Both systems have their own strengths and weaknesses.
HearForm is primarily office based, while Sycle.net is completely web based.
What are the differences between HearForm Software and Sycle.net?
 |
 |
HearForm is, without question, the most flexible and powerful software in the It may take a bit of training, but once you learn to use HearForm's tools, |
Sycle is easy to use. We often compare Sycle.net to a nice Golf Cart. |
 |
 |
In what way is Sycle.net better/easier than HearForm Software?
Sycle is easy to set-up in an individual office or even more so, in multiple offices. All that is required is a compatible web browser. (QuickBooks synchronization and electronic billing do require more advanced set-up.) Because Sycle users simply log onto the web, no additional networking is needed (as long as a computer has high speed internet access.)
Note: Sycle’s new fee structure is based on separate office locations. Each location will be treated as a separate office and will be billed $149 per month. ($50 per month for satellite clinics open 2 days per week or less.)
HearForm, on the other hand, has some pluses and minuses in this category.
Minuses:
• For multiple office locations (different cities), all connected to just one database, those offices will need to have some sort of connection in place. Options include…
Microsoft Terminal Services
Citrix Presentation Server
A fast VPN
Windows Remote Desktop
LogMeIn , GoToMyPC, TeamViewer, etc.
(Important Note: As of 2010 HearForm is available online for a hosting fee. The hosting company provides the server, back-ups and all other hosting services.
Contact us for details about this new option. 888-453-8806)
Pluses: Once those connections are in place, the savings are significant.
HearForm will save you thousands or tens of thousands of dollars over a period of time. Let’s look at HearForm’s pricing structure…
HearForm includes two licenses of FileMaker Pro. (FileMaker is the engine that runs HearForm and is needed on each computer. Filemaker runs on both Windows and Macintosh computers.) Additional licenses of HearForm with FileMaker Pro, beyond the included two, are $399 each (one time.)
Stand alone branch offices pay a onetime discounted fee of $1499.00 (One license of FileMaker Pro is included.)
If a support plan or training is desired for remote offices, it can be purchased separately. There are no monthly fees for additional office locations.
The 5 year Full Time Remote Office savings scenario…
Sycle: $8,940 -- $1,788 per year (remote office) times 5 years = $8,940.00 (Note: If you are willing to commit to a long term contract with Sycle, they offer a 1 year rental option of $1,549 per clinic or a 2 year contract price of $2,899. Of course, in the event that you want to leave Sycle early, you cannot just walk away from those contract committments.)
HearForm: $1499 -- Includes one copy of FileMaker Pro (you can add additional computers to use HearForm in your branch office for $399 - onetime)
The HearForm Savings Advantage is clear ($7,441 savings over five years and the savings continue at $1,788 per year.)
For an individual Office, No Internet Access is required to use HearForm. Sycle requires a high speed connection. Typical costs for High Speed Internet vary from $20 to $100 per month for business rates. To be fair, many practices already have internet access for other reasons, so this may or may not be an added Sycle.net expense. Again, to be fair, we at HearForm want your office to have internet access, so that we can better support you though personalized online training and support.
This significant HearForm value is only attractive if HearForm provides comparable or better features and beneifits than Sycle.
The rest of this comparison page will demonstrate that, while HearForm is much less expensive, it is clearly superior to Sycle in almost every way.
UPADTE: Until 12/17/2011, we showed Sycle.net screenshot images below that were taken directly from Sycle’s Software and Website. We thought it would be fair and honest to show Sycle's actual screenshots from their software. Unfortunately, Sycle demanded that we remove any images of their software, so you'll have to trust us when we simply write about how Sycle works. Sycle does not allow any regular customer to use screenshots of its software.
http://www.sycle.net/top_ten.php (this link is good as of 12-17-12)
SYCLE.NET
Sycle’s very own Top Ten Reasons to purchase their product are listed below.
Top Ten Features (from Sycle's Website)
• BTE Inventory: Track your hearing aid stock efficiently with our BTE inventory.
• Battery Lookup: No need to go digging through patient files.
• Order Form: Stop filling out order forms by hand.
• Call Backs: Use Open callbacks to schedule patient follow up reminders.
• Purchase Agreement: Upload a purchase agreement to your Sycle account and never have to fill them out by hand again.
• Serial Number Search: Start searching for patients and their hearing aid equipment by simply entering the hearing aid serial number into any patient search field.
• Custom Groups: Set up custom groups and start to track and mail to any sub-group of patients.
• Auto Recall Mail: Enjoy the peace of mind that your patients are receiving their ticklers while never having to lick a stamp.
• Sales Report: Manage your business with real time sales reports.
• QuickBooks Sync: Sync up with QuickBooks using our interface tool.
Let's look at these Sycle features in depth...
1. BTE Inventory
Both Sycle and HearForm use almost identical technology in this category. HearForm lets you track that inventory quicker and create macros to duplicate repetitive Inventory/Loaner tasks.
HearForm lets you search for all stock, loaners and demos with one click or use multiple search criteria to find just the right instrument for that hard to fit loss. Sycle does not allow anything like that kind of detailed searching or the ability to create memorized searches.
2. Battery Lookup
Since HearForm allows unlimited Hearing Aids per patient, HearForm has the edge here. Patients can have multiple battery sizes on their different back-up and current aids. HearForm allows you to search in all battery fields. Sycle does not allow you to search ANY battery fields.
HearForm battery sizes are automatically color code displayed on the patient screen for quick identification. (Size 10 - yellow, size 13 - orange, etc.)
3. Order Form
The Sycle order form is very basic and not at all customizable. HearForm has completely customizable order forms for …
• New Instruments
• Repairs
• Ear Molds
• Return for Credit
• Loss and Damage
4. Call BacksHearForm has a big edge in this category. With Sycle you'll need to click 4 times to enter a call back. First, figure out what date is 5 weeks from now. Then… You have now entered the maximum of Callbacks for that patient in Sycle.
HearForm also allows unlimited recalls per patient. |
Sycle Callback Screenshot Image was removed per Sycle's Request |
HearForm lets you set multiple 6 month or 1 year recalls for that patient with one click.
HearForm also allows unlimited recalls per patient. HearForm lets you set multiple 6 month or 1 year recalls for that patient with one click. You can also set an entire group of patients for a recall at once. HearForm’s recall system is much more flexible. We have customized our Superbill to automatically enter detailed recalls by clicking on the Superbill Item. With one click, HearForm will create and date the recall with the recall purpose and professional.
• Easy Entry Quick Buttons |
Sycle Recall Screenshot Image was removed per Sycle's Request |
5. Purchase Agreement
Sycle allows you to upload your purchase agreement for partial customization, but that process is very limited. Sycle does not reproduce your actual agreement. They simply add some of your text to their template. HearForm allows you to use 95% of your original agreement. You can print a very professional looking document, as opposed to a basic looking form.
If desired, HearForm can merge the patient’s photo to the signature line, as well as the audiologist’s photo and electronic signature. The document creates a highly professional impression.
HearForm also prints other professional looking financial documents, such as Service, Repair, Delivery, Return/Credit and Commission Receipts.
HEARFORM AGREEMENT |
SYCLE.NET AGREEMENT |
 |
Sycle Agreement Screenshot Image was removed per Sycle's Request
If you have ever seen the very basic QuickBooks Invoice, |
6. Serial Number Search
If you have the whole serial number, both programs work well. HearForm is quicker in this category, but Sycle does let you find your match after about 30 seconds. The big difference is if you only have a partial serial number. Sycle simply lets you search the serial number field. HearForm lets you add additional fields to the search criteria.
Let’s say that you find an aid in the lab. Part of the serial is not readable, because of some buffing or grinding. You know it’s a Phonak, starting with 08-123####. In HearForm you simply click FIND and select Phonak 08-123. A match or a series of matches will popup. You can add unlimited other criteria to your search, as well. Sycle permits you to search only the serial field.
In fact, that is one of the major differences between Sycle and HearForm. Sycle defines which information you can query. HearForm lets you search any number of fields in any combination. HearForm can memorize those searches and repeat them with the click of a button. Sycle.net does not allow any custom searches.
7. Custom Groups.
Without a doubt, it helps to further differentiate your patient records by detailed criteria. Sycle gives you the option to set one type of patient apart from others. Sycle allows you to add your own custom choices to the Custom groups (such as Elk’s Club, ABC retirement Center, Etc…)
HearForm does all of the above plus allows you to import your custom choices for easy set-up. More importantly, HearForm allows you to Create Unlimited New Custom Fields for other differentiation needs. If you are not satisfied with the fields that exist in HearForm – change them! Add new fields… and macros… and screens… and…audiograms… and letters… and forms…and reports. You have control over your software.
Sycle cannot allow their customers to make such modifications, because Sycle uses one database for all of its customers. While you can add data to your session of Sycle, you cannot modify the database structure. Unless you like a one-size-fits-all approach, that’s a huge limitation for your staff.
8. Auto Recall Mail
Sycle has a great set-up for automated mailings.
Here is a list directly from Sycle’s Automated Letter Mailing Section:
Birthday Letter |
Clean and Check Letter |
Warranty Letter |
Thank You Letter |
Sycle states that “If you have your own or additional letters they can be added to your marketing page.” We have been told by many ex-Sycle users that they could only submit very basic letters for that purpose.
These letters can be sent out automatically to patients at predetermined intervals. Sycle’s computer figures out when it’s time to send a warranty letter and at the appropriate time, that letter is mailed to the patient on your behalf. That is a very convenient benefit.
Sycle advertises that they charge a fee of $0.45 to $0.65 cents plus postage for each letter.
How does HearForm stack up to that? We respect Sycle for their optional service, but we like to err on the side of choice and savings. HearForm users can automate the sending of all the letters mentioned above and hundreds more, but most of our customers print and mail the letters themselves.
Most offices now have a printer that can handle 100s (or 1000s) of printed letters per day. It’s very easy to print letters and envelopes in HearForm. Built in scripts and Macros find expired warranties, birthdays, “Time for a new test” and “Ready for new hearing aid” patients in seconds. You then have control over who gets what letter and when.
Sycle’s eight letters are nice, but HearForm’s hundreds of choices create a much more refined group of patients. For example, HearForm will quickly find all patients that have a severe loss and have not purchased for over 3 years. You can then send that group of 25 letters to your printer and you’re almost done. You do need to fold the letters, stuff them into the envelope and apply a stamp.
If you mail 200 letters a month, here’s how costs stack up…
Sycle: 200 Letters = $198.00 Sycle’s Fee including Postage
From Sycle's website FAQs on 9-17-2011...
"Q. What is the price per piece charge for the automated mailings? Direct mailings?
A. Most items range from $0.45 to $0.65 per item plus postage, depending on whether you choose color or black and white."
That's an average of 55 cents plus current postage of 44 cents per letter. (99 cents per letter total.)
This comparison is what HearForm is all about... saving you money.
While we could offer an almost identical paid service and profit from that offering, HearForm looks for ways to reduce your monthly obligations.
HearForm has established a relationship with ESCO (Ear Services Corporation), designed to communicate with your patients inexpensively.
Using ConnectCare from ESCO, HearForm: 200 Letters = $0.00 including $0.00 for postage. Yes, FREE.
http://www.earserv.com/professionals/connectcare.cfm
See our web page here.
In this reasonable scenario, Sycle costs you almost $200 more per month than HearForm or $2,400 more per year.
Additionally, HearForm can (and often does for our customers) send any group of patient records to a mailing house of your choice. Simply click Export and HearForm exports your records to an Excel file and automatically attaches that file to an e-mail already addressed to your mail house.
9. Sales ReportSycle has a number of reports. Our favorite From Actual Sycle’s Software… SALES REPORTS • Quick business MARKETING REPORTS • Referrals The 17 reports listed above are very helpful. The Sales Report sub-summarizes by the following four categories… Total Sales, Total Exchanges, Total Canceled Orders, Total Replacements There are a number of columns within each category that are reported on… Sycle.net has done an excellent job with reports.
HearForm Report Module HearForm has the same reports, but also has a large number of other reports that do not exist in Sycle. HearForm has a tab under reports called “Count.” The count reports will quickly show you how many of your found set match your search criteria. For example: You do a quick search for all patients who have been referred by a direct mail piece or newspaper ad this month. Click a button and HearForm will list how many of those patients live in each city or zip code. Note: Per their Facebook page, we believe that Sycle has recently added a "sales by Zip Code" report. This is likely a very helpful report. How many patients in general were referred by Physicians and then summarized by which physician? You can even see how much revenue (including profit) was received from each referral source. Best of all, unlike Sycle’s prepared reports, you can create any number of your own customized reports. Our customers often request a reporting capability that is unique to their particular needs. If you can think of it, you can likely report on it in HearForm. In addition to the Reports mentioned above, Sycle also has “Marketing lists” listed below. |
Sycle Sale Report Screenshot Image was removed per Sycle's Request.
It's a pretty nice report. We wish they would let us show you...
|
Birthdates |
Current Equipment |
Custom Patient Groups |
Hearing Aid Type |
Hearing Loss |
|---|
These 22 lists are basic spreadsheet views of the same 21 columns in each list. That's not very helpful and very inflexible.
First |
Last |
Preferred Clinic |
Date of Birth |
Purchase Date |
|---|
The lists are not editable or customizable. You always get the same 21 column header data for each of the 22 Marketing Lists. We’re not sure why Sycle can’t limit the Birthday Marketing list to exclude columns that are irrelevant.
HearForm allows you to create an unlimited number of lists, all with whatever field columns you desire. (Not the same 21 columns each time.) Each list appears exactly as you want it to appear. HearForm lets you fine-tune the lists far beyond Sycle’s capabilities. For Birthday lists, Sycle lets you specify birth month, the assigned office and whether the patient is current, prospect, competitive or archived. HearForm lets you choose unlimited combinations to narrow down your search.
Let’s say you want to send birthday cards out twice a month, so that patients born on the 30th of the month don’t get their cards too early. With HearForm, you can select a date range within the month, exclude infants, only include active users for a given audiologist, etc.
HearForm’s lists get you the data you want and are exportable in many different formats, not just Excel.
10. QuickBooks Sync
On December 13, 2013, Sycle released a "New and Improved QuickBooks Synchronizer." Because of this modification, we have removed our previous comments about their "Journal Entry" Synchronizer. Because we are not yet aware of the specific details of this new feature, we will withold comments for the time being.
Preliminary Conclusions
Restating, Sycle’s Top Ten Reasons to rent their software...
1. BTE Inventory
2. Battery Lookup.
3. Order Form
4. Call Backs
5. Purchase Agreement
6. Serial Number Search
7. Custom Groups
8. Auto Recall Mail
9. Sales Report
10. QuickBooks Sync
In 9 out of these 10 Sycle Features, HearForm is better or significantly better than Sycle.net. (The Quickbooks comparison is still unknown) We did not randomly choose 10 areas where HearForm happens to be better. We did not "cherry pick" from our greatest strengths. These are Sycle's promotional features.
There are many more compelling reasons to choose HearForm instead of Sycle. Please continue reading.
Every Office Management System needs to accomplish basic office tasks. These include…
• SCHEDULING |
• FINANCIALS |
Let’s look at how HearForm and Sycle work with each of these basics.
CLAIMS/ ELECTRONIC BILLING
Sycle –
To use Sycle for Electronic Billing, you MUST use their one and only choice for a clearing house (Emdeon, formerly WebMD.) Emdeon is a respected company; however, many of our customers have chosen to leave Emdeon for ENS Health, E-Claims, Office Ally, National EDI, Apex EDI or Medavant. Sycle gives you no choice. If you are unhappy with the clearinghouse, you have no choice but to stay.
Update: On 9-17-2011 Sycle charged it's customers a $500 set-up fee PLUS $150 per audiologist. (We have the screenshot from Sycle's website dated 9-17-11, but Sycle asked us not to display it.) After reviewing our web page, Sycle changed their fees to match HearForm fees. We are pleased that Sycle has lowered their fees in response to competition from HearForm. Sycle still charges more per month, because HearForm does not charge extra for each claim. That's not a big difference, but 37 cents per claim adds up over time.
Sycle charges a $199 set-up fee for each office plus an additional $32.00 per month PLUS 37 cents per claim.
That means that if you send 80 claims a month, you’ll pay $32.00 plus $29.60 for a total monthly fee of $61.60. see http://www.sycle.net/pricing.php
HearForm
HearForm’s primary partner is ENS Health, but you can also use HearForm to work with Emdeon, E-Claims, Office Ally, National EDI, Apex EDI or Medavant. You set up the relationship and get the best pricing possible. For example ENS Health has arranged special pricing...
HearForm's $199.00 set-up fee (includes ALL offices, not Sycle's per office fee) and between $20 and $40 per month. Additional claims are just 35 cents per claim.
If you send a lot of claims, you’ll save a lot with HearForm over Sycle.net
80 claims a month?
Sycle: $61.60
HearForm $31.00
200 claims a month?
Sycle: $106.00
HearForm $51.00
500 claims a month?
Sycle: $217.00
HearForm $51.00
--------------------------------------
FORMS
Sycle – No custom forms can be added or created. None.
HearForm – Add unlimited custom created forms. Insert and match your current forms exactly. HearForm will automatically merge patient information right on to your forms. We can also create forms for you. We have done so for school districts, major Universities, Buying groups, two of the top five hearing instrument manufacturers and practices on every continent. We include medical forms from the UK and Australia, forms from Jordan to Cyprus, Spanish forms and the DVA form for Canadian Customers.
Your forms – Your way.
LETTERS
Sycle
Sycle Letters Screenshot Image was removed per Sycle's Request.
As previously seen in the Sycle.net Screenshot above, Sycle.net offers its customers 8 letters. You do have the ability to modify those letters with your own text, however, modifications are for basic text only. No additional graphics or merge fields can be placed into these 8 letters.
HearForm
HearForm has over 80 pre-written letters and template locations for 1000’s more (for your own creative letters.) Our customers have modified the letters with automatic merge fields (i.e. unique patient specific data from other parts of the program is automatically merged into each separate letter.)
Automatically merge your audiologists photos and scanned signature onto any form or letter.
We also include special AHAA letters for AHAA members and "Patient for Life" forms for Audigy members.
Quickly print letters and envelopes for virtually any office routine.
NEW for HearForm10
Personalized Letters
HearForm10 adds what may be one of your favorite enhancements (after you understand it and
begin to make use of it.)
You can now send unlimited personalized letters to every patient in your database.
This feature is not limited to sending letters to patients.
You could add a record in HearForm for a supplier, physician or insurance provider. You could then send personalized letters to each of those entities. For example: You might add a new record called Widex. (change the Patient Type to Supplier, if you’d like.) Every time you want to send a letter to your Widex rep, you could write it in HearForm and then have a history of that letter. You could even paste in e-mail text and record that with each supplier record.
Example 2: Add a record for Blue Cross to the overview screen. Now, create a new letter every
time you need to communicate with Blue Cross concerning any patient. You’ll have an exact
history, fully searchable, of every letter you write from this point forward.
LABLES
Sycle
Printing Labels from Word in Sycle’s own words…
http://www.sycle.net/freecvs/pdf/labels.pdf
(Text from the Sycle website listed above.) This document will explain how to download a list from sycle.net into an Excel file and then walk you through the steps of creating labels in Word.
Downloading a list from sycle.net’s saved lists
1. There are two places in sycle.net where you can download a list of patients.
2. You can go into the reports section and click on the marketing list.
3. Once you choose a report, it will ask you to clarify your search (i.e. do you want the list to run for your prospects and competitive users as well as your customers).
4. Once you have this done, click on View Report to view the report on the screen or hit download to put it into an Excel file. You will be asked where you would like to save the report. I recommend saving it to your desktop because it’s easy to find.
Downloading a list from sycle.net using your own criteria
If you would like to run a list outside of the lists that are saved in the Marketing Lists section, you will first need to create a list of your database.
1. To do this, go to the administration section and choose the Database Backup option.
2. Then you will need to select what you would like to download.
3. Once you have made your selections, you can hit the Download button. Again, you will be asked where you would like to save the Excel file. Again, I would recommend saving it to the desktop so that it is easy to find.
Creating Labels using Microsoft Word
1. To create labels, open up Microsoft Word, go to the Tools Menu and choose the Letters and Mailings option. This will open up another menu and choose Mail Merge Wizard.
2. This will open up a wizard on the right hand side of your page that will walk you through creating your labels.
3. First, select that you would like to create labels and then hit next at the bottom of the screen.
4. On the next screen, it will default to changing the document type. Click down below on the label options and select which labels you would like to print on.
5. Once you have chosen your labels, you will now see those labels appear on the left hand side and now the “Use current document” option is selected. Go ahead and hit next at the bottom of the screen.
6. On the third screen, you now can indicate that you would like to use the list you downloaded from sycle.net. Leave the selection as “Use an existing list” and click “Browse”. This will allow you to go find the list you downloaded.
7. If you haven’t already sorted the list in Excel, you have the option of sorting the list by clicking on any of the column headings. You can also uncheck records that you don’t want to print a mailing label for.
8. The next section allows you to set up how you would like the label to appear. Go ahead and hit the Address block option. In the window that comes up, pick the
9. Match Fields button in the bottom left hand corner.
10. Now you will need to assign fields to each of the corresponding address fields (last name, first name, etc…). You can get the field names from the same screen where you sort your list (see screenshot w/ instruction #6 above). Once you have done that, go ahead and hit OK.
11. You label area should now look like this:
12. Go ahead and click on the Update all labels button in the Replicate labels area to copy that same address block throughout your labels.
13. Click on Next: Preview you labels at the bottom of the page to see the labels as they will appear. You can page through them one at a time using the forward and forward and back arrows under the Preview your Labels heading if you would like. If you need to edit or remove any labels you missed, just click on the link “Edit recipient list” on the right hand side.
14. Click on the Next: Complete the Merge link at the bottom of the page to merge the data with the label template. You then have the option to begin printing or to again view the labels before you print them.
Time required? You decide.
HearForm
To start printing a sheet (or sheets) of labels in HearForm, follow these directions…
1. Click the labels tab
2. Click the Print Avery 5160 Button
3. Select Sort by Zip or Sort Alphabetically
4. Click Print
You’re done.
Time required: 5-10 seconds
HearForm has built in templates for 130 labels
Avery 5160 Avery 5660 Avery WorkSaver Divider 8 |
Avery 4022 Avery 8167 Avery Tab Inserts for Dividers |
Smead Single and Full Page |
P-Touch Brother QL Series |
ENVELOPES
Sycle
We could not find any information in the 62 Page Sycle.net User Guide or any mention of envelopes in the Sycle software. Sycle will print your letters for you (45 to 65 cents per letter plus postage.) We can only assume that if you want to print an envelope or a series of envelopes that you’ll need to follow a similar procedure for printing labels (i.e. Go to reports, download list of patients, open the download in Excel, edit the list to include only those desired, import into Word and start the WORD envelope series of steps.
HearForm
Click the #10 Envelope Button to print a standard envelope.
Or
Click the #9 Envelope Button to print a return address envelope.
The Envelope will automatically print the address of the assigned office for each individual envelope. The assigned practice logo will print on the envelope, if desired.
Preprinted envelopes and letterhead may be used at any time.
Help and Training
When you click the Help button in Sycle, a new window pops up with the following choices…
Help
User Guide - 4 mb
Implementation Guide - 508Kb
Sycle Help Screenshot Image was removed per Sycle's Request.
The user guide, while helpful, covers only limited areas of Sycle. (See table of contents below.)
1. Sycle Intro ....... 1
2. Login...................... 3
3. Global Site Navigation................. 4
4. Appointments............ 6
5. Administration............ 8
6. Reports......... 11
7. Practice/Appointment Flow ....... 28
8. How to Make an Appointment .... 30
9. How to “Squeeze” an Appointment 33
10. How to Block the Schedule ............... 34
11. How to Move an Appointment........... 35
12. How to Make a Purchase.................. 37
13. How to Make a Payment................... 43
14. How to Make a Return/Exchange ..... 46
15. How to Make a Repair........................ 50
16. How to Perform a Global Search ....... 54
17. Patient Summary: HCFA, Archive, Edit ... 56
Appendix A – Other Ways to Make an Appointment
There are huge gaps in the user guide, as some sections barely touch on how to perform different tasks.
As a supplement to the limited 63 page Sycle.net User Guide, Sycle.net has added training videos to their website. Unfortunately, these videos are not available offline or on a DVD. The videos must be viewed online. The movie sound and image quality is designed for low resolution web delivery. Again, the videos are helpful but far from thorough. The average video length is approximately 2.5 minutes. HearForm’s much more complete library of training videos average is 7 minutes per video.
HearForm uses ultra high quality video display technology, so that you do not have to strain to see the screen. Sycle’s Videos are compressed, blurry and very small (again, to allow faster downloading from the internet.) HearForm Videos are full screen and crystal clear. HearForm’s user friendly menu display’s all of your choices. An included table of contents lists all training videos, along with the length of each movie.
Help Materials
Sycle.net Help - Implementation Guide: 8 Pages, User Guide: 65 Pages, QuickBooks Set-up Guide: 16 Pages, Training Videos: 129 Minutes
HearForm Software Help - User Guide: 300 Pages, QuickBooks Set-up Guide: 15 Pages
Training Videos: 475 Minutes
Here are Sycle’s Training Videos… https://www.sycle.net/freecvs/videos.php as of 2-2-2013.
Note: We have added the length of time for each video to this list for added clarification.
Introduction to Sycle (22 seconds) |
Reports |
Marketing (Direct Mail) (2:44) |
TOTAL TRAINING VIDEO TIME – 129 Minutes
Here are HearForm’s Training Videos…
2:06 Set-up Clinician |
4:33 Forms HIPAA |
8:27 Letters 1 |
TOTAL TRAINING VIDEO TIME – 475 Minutes
Let’s look at what those User Guide and training video numbers mean.
One might argue that having a short user guide and limited videos just shows that Sycle is easier to use. “You don’t need much training with Sycle.” There is some truth to that. Here is an example right from Sycle.net…
The Sycle training video called Patient Search (56 Seconds) is over in less than a minute. That’s sounds pretty easy. The problem is that there’s not much more that can be taught on that subject.
HearForm can also show you how to find a patient in 56 seconds, but HearForm doesn't’t have to stop there. HearForm is significantly more powerful than Sycle.net in its ability to locate the precise information you want.
IMPORTANT: This concept is crucial to understanding one of the key differences between the two products. Sycle.net does not allow you to search just any field in their software. You can only search a very limited number of fields, such as serial number and patient name. This is a highly restrictive approach to accessing your data.
HearForm allows you to search (query) any number of combinations to isolate a desired group of patients or prospective patients.
For example: Let’s say that you wanted to find all patients that were fit with hearing aids in the last three years. Add to that, you only want those that have a severe to profound loss. Make those just females over the age of 55. Narrow that down to those that already have a high power BTE in their left ear (etc…).
That may seem a bit silly, but you could easily find those patients in HearForm. You could not begin to search like that in Sycle. With Sycle you get to search what the programmers predetermined for you. Remember that those programmers have not worked in a hearing aid office and don’t do their own support. They may not be aware that you need more flexibility then the very limited search choices in Sycle.
Searching in HearForm is much more powerful. That’s one reason that our training videos are longer. Sycle does not have all that much to explain.
An owner’s manual is much shorter (and easier to read) for a golf cart than it is for a Ferrari. That doesn't’t make the golf cart better. They are created for two different purposes and use two different technologies.
Training (Tech-Support) Staff
Sycle has very nice tech support people that are trained as tech support help. The last time we checked, few or none of the tech support staff have been on the development team of Sycle and few or none are audiologists or dispensers.
HearForm has tech support members that are the most qualified in the industry, bar none.
With HearForm, your support comes from Hearing Healthcare industry professionals that have experienced the same day to day challenges that you have.
Support includes an Au.D. Audiologist (with a computer science degree, as well) and a Board Certified Dispenser that has 30 years experience dispensing (over 7,000) hearing instruments and has performed over 15,000 hearing tests. These professionals have run their own hearing aid offices and can relate to you on your level. We also include two former hearing care office managers on our support staff. Our support staff is also active on our development team.
The Big Question
What happens if HearForm or Sycle.net goes out of business (for any reason?)
That is a very fair question to ask and one that should be explored. Let’s look at some history in the Hearing Healthcare Industry…
Many years ago some pioneers in this industry saw the need for automation in the hearing healthcare office. Computers were still just becoming affordable for small offices. Some of those early software companies were…
• Swensons Software
• HearWare (the original, not the newer Canadian company)
• Clarity Software
Swensons and HearWare have been gone for many years now. Clarity was an excellent piece of software at the time, but the two co-owners had a disagreement and closed the company down. No support exists for either of these products.
NO SUPPORT
Siemens OMS was supported by Siemens, but gave way to Practice Navigator. Recently, Siemens made the decision to shelve the software and no longer support its current users. One of our customer, a physician, was told by his Siemens rep (July, 2011) that "from the top , we were told that we will not support Practice Navigator in any way and cannot help to get your NOAH data out of Practice Navigator."
NO SUPPORT
Starkey ProHear was introduced at $30,000 and eventually dropped to$14,500. However, if you purchased that 16 bit ProHear software a few years back, you cannot get support any longer, (unless you pay $7,200 to upgrade to their newer release.)
NO SUPPORT of older versions and Starkey has made the decision to "not put any more money into ProHear OMS."
IMPORTANT: Because Swensons, HearWare, ProHear and Siemens OMS & Practice Navigator are all written in a proprietary code (and are locked up tight), no other developers can be hired to help with support. All one can do is hope to export your data to a different program. However, none of those programs make exporting of data and easy task.
Online Claims Audiology was somewhat of a pioneering program, as well. We (HearForm Software) considered buying the company when they were up for sale in the year 2000. We decided that our two systems were too different, so we declined to make an offer. Instead, a local company in Billings Montana, Computers Unlimited, http://www.timssoftware.com purchased Online Claims Audiology and changed the name to TIMSAUDIOLOGY.
TIMS has been rewritten since the purchase. There is not such a thing as an older version of TIMS software, as they provide upgrades as part of their mandatory $720 per year support fee. If you do not pay that fee, however, TIMS will disconnect your software, making it unusable. All or nothing.
Sycle.net
Sycle.net has this history (from their website.) http://www.sycle.net/about.php# link works as of 12-17-2011
“Sycle's Story - How did Sycle get started?
Like most dot coms...on the back of a napkin in a San Francisco café...
Ozone Advertising (now called Ozone Online and owned by Sycle's President, Ridge Sampson) was the original advertising agency for Sonus ten years ago. Ozone renamed them (Sonus was originally called Healthcare Capital Corporation) branded them and produced all their advertising for the first couple of years.
Ridge had learned, from Ozone's advertising experience in the hearing care industry, Audiologists (no offence intended) are reluctant marketers. Fast forward to August of 2001. Ridge was having coffee in San Francisco with Randy Drullinger, one of the founders of Sonus. Randy was explaining a service he was using that allowed customers to create snail mail campaigns by uploading lists online. As great as this sounded it still put the onus on the busy practitioners to make sure the lists were managed, updated and uploaded on time.
‘So, what if we do the marketing for them?’ Sampson thought. Based on the outcome of the appointment a database can merge the mail, automatically send it to a bonded mail house and get it in the patient's hands without the clinic ever having to do anything but record the outcome of the appointment. Sycle was born right there in the coffee shop.
For the next several months Ridge and Ozone CTO, Sean Shoffstall, (who became Sycle's CTO) met every morning at another coffee shop, North Beach's Café Roma, to sketch out Sycle. Each night Sean would code the morning's efforts for the next day. One Sycle customer led to another and the rest is history.”
Sycle begin in 2001 and looks like they will be around for some time.
HearForm Software
HearForm began in 1989 as a solution to a growing hearing aid practice in San Diego, CA.
I (Michael Huskey) had expanded to three offices with 10 employees and I need a way to automate everyday tasks. Like many of you, I always looked for a better way to do things. I started to write a database in FileMaker Pro, a relatively easy database to develop in. I wanted to print out professional looking letters forms and reports. I wanted one secretary to accomplish as much as two.
After several years of fine tuning the software and listening to my staff complain about weaknesses and offer ideas for efficiency, the outside world began to find out about HearForm.
The president of the California Hearing Healthcare Providers asked me to demonstrate HearForm at a regional meeting. Many in attendance offered to purchase a copy of the software that night. HearForm as retail product had now “left the building.”
But, back to the original question… “What happens if HearForm or Sycle.net goes out of business (for any reason?)”
At first, because HearForm is owned entirely by a smaller corporation, you might think there is a reason to be concerned. Let us reassure you in this way.
Siemens and Starkey are both huge companies, yet they have made the decision to longer support some or all of their Office Management Software. Being big was no guarantee of longevity.
HearForm supports our software all the way back to version 1.0. (Just ask Carol Forman in La Jolla, CA who purchased our first copy so many years ago…or Christine Harrell in Vista, CA who still uses version 2.0, or Greg Free in Cerritos, CA who still uses version 6.0)
If TIMS were to close its doors, your software would no longer be accessible. TIMS software "phones home" for an unlock code periodically. If there is no one home (at TIMS) your software is disabled. TIMS changed hands once before and could possibly change hands again.
If Sycle closed its doors, they would hopefully first send everyone an excel download of most of their data, but then all you’d have is an Excel sheet of data. What can you do with the raw data?
If you were to decide that you are tired of the “Sycle of Monthly Payments” and leave, Sycle, understandably blocks your access to their program. You have nothing to show for those payments.
The Sycle monthly fee is similar to renting an apartment. You can leave at anytime and take your furniture (data) with you, but again you have no software. You may have paid for years ( almost $12,000 in 5 years,) but still have nothing to show for it.
HearForm’s purchase plan is like buying a home. It costs more up front. It may take a bit more in the way of maintenance (learning), but it is much roomier and you own it. You can add on to it and customize it for your specific needs. Your investment becomes truly affordable when you realize you’re not stuck with monthly payments for the rest of your business life. Not only are you safe from anyone taking your software away, but if we ever closed our doors (not likely, since we have no debt and keep growing), you have lots of options. What options?
HearForm is the ONLY Company of the top 5 that delivers their software to you OPEN and UNLOCKED. That means that if we ever went away, you keep the software, fully usable AND any FileMaker developer in the United States could easily help you to customize the software, if needed. Every other hearing software solution is proprietary and locked up tight.
So, without any hesitation, we can confidently state that HearForm is your safest choice. We have the history to prove it and we trust our customers enough to give them unlocked code. That truly is a huge benefit to those asking “what if.” Being as big as Starkey and Siemens did not guarantee database perpetuity, but HearForm can guarantee it to our customers.
Here are some additional important comparisons between HearForm and Sycle.net
HearForm Software |
Sycle.net |
Unlimited Addresses with Ranking, Automatic City-State-Country |
2 Addresses, Primary & Snowbird |
Unlimited Phone Numbers and Types with Comments and Notes. |
Home, Work, Cell, Other |
Unlimited Insurance Assignments per patient |
4 Insurance Assignments per patient |
Unlimited Patient Types |
Prospective, Current, Competitive Plus |
Unlimited E-Mail Addresses with Ranking, Comments and Notes |
1 E-Mail Address |
Unlimited Notes, Searchable, Note Date, Time, Created By, |
1 Continuous Note Field – NOT searchable |
Insured ID Number; Policy, Group or FECA #; Plan or Program Name; |
Insured ID Number; Policy, Group or FECA #; Plan or Program Name; Estimated Benefit; Copay; Deductible |
Unlimited number of titles in the field called “Custom Groups” AND |
Unlimited number of titles in the field called “Custom Groups” |
Unlimited number of titles in the field called “Custom Groups” AND |
Unlimited number of titles in the field called “Custom Groups” |
Hearing Loss Description: |
Hearing Loss Description: |
In what other ways is HearForm Software better than Sycle.net?
Customizable
HearForm is fully customizable. There are literally tens of thousands of ways that you can design HearForm to fit with your specific practice needs.
Sycle advertises that it is “Locked-Basic+” customizable. Their website lists those 8 items that can be custom configured.
http://www.sycle.net/faq.php
Q. Can my clinic(s) configure sycle.net?
A. Yes, you can configure the following:
1. Appointment types including length
2. Discount types
3. Extended warranty types
4. Clinic hours
5. Clinic contact information
6. Employee passwords
7. Employee contact information
8. Employee hours
There truly is no comparison between HearForm and Sycle in this respect. Sycle allows 8 items to be configured; HearForm allows many thousands of configurations.
The following quote is fro a recent Sycle.net press release...
"San Francisco -- Sycle.net announced new features on its hearing care management system for its customers. The new features, available now, include receiver and dome management.
Similar to other types of equipment in Sycle.net, receivers now have an admin table that allows users to set up the manufacturers, descriptions, prices and more. Users can either sell a receiver with a hearing aid or by itself.
At the bottom of the hearing aid purchase page, customers will see a list of all the different items they can associate with a hearing aid sale, including receivers. If users need to enter a receiver purchase by itself, there is now an “Add” button next to receivers on the purchase summary.
Similar to hearing aids and earmolds, receivers now have a dedicated area under inventory to manage check-in and delivery.
In addition to receiver management, Sycle.net has also added fields for tracking domes & tubes. These items, along with earmolds, can be added to a hearing aid purchase from a single screen with collapsible menus."
Please note two important issues here.
1. Sycle decides if and when you upgrade your software. If you like it the way it is, you have no choice when they are ready to make changes. You get what they give you.
"We have some new improvements for you. We make improvements every month. Some you'll notice and some you won't. The purpose of these emails is to highlight the significant ones so you won't be surprised by them." Sycle.net posting September 2011.
See http://www.sycle.net/campaign/new_features_sept_11/index.php
"Additional Filters on Sales Report: Next time you run your Sales Report in Sycle.net you will see the addition of filters allowing you to run it by Purchase Date and Return Date."
Again, you must wait for Sycle to allow you to filter results based upon what they decide is important.
With HearForm, you can filter by thousands of fields or add your own... at any time. No waiting for developers to decide what's important. Upgrade if and when you want. You can also take all of your customizations with you to the new upgrade.
from the same Sycle posting...
Sycle - "HA Sales Report Enhancements: We love this one! When running your hearing aid sales report you'll find a new pulldown menu allowing you to group transactions by invoice or by individual purchase. This will provide a level of granularity previously not available."
With HearForm, you don't often think about what was "previously not available." If you want it, chances are you can add it... now!
from the same Sycle posting...
Sycle - "Repair Form: We are thrilled to announce the addition of a Repair Form into Sycle.net. This new form has been vetted with major manufacturers and has been given a big thumbs up! Now generating a repair in Sycle.net couldn't be easier! You will now see a "HA Repair Form" button appear at the lower left of the invoice. Once you click that button a pre-populated repair form will be generated allowing you to print."
HearForm had this option 18 years ago. Sycle has been around for 9 years now and they are just now getting around to adding such an important form.
The new enhancements that Sycle has created are a fraction of the new useful tools that HearForm adds every year. Our recent upgrade offered a 50 page supplement that listed all the enhancements HearForm added since our previous version. Those enhancements were much more powerful than Sycle's basic "catch up" additions.
2. Sycle just now added fields for receiver and dome management. Your office needs are subject to their timing and development decisions.
HearForm lets you add unlimited new fields, screens, reports, forms and letters as soon as you want. You don;t have to wait for us to make your software fit your specific needs.
Hospitals, School Districts and Hearing Healthcare Industry (Non Retail) organizations realize that a “one size fits all” application is not quite enough. The ability to modify HearForm to meet the individual’s specific needs is why HearForm has been purchased by…
HearForm has been used by many of the top professionals in the industry
Universities / Education
Stanford University Audiology Dept. & Stanford Hospital
Harvard University Audiology Department
Northwestern University Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders
University of Illinois
University Of Miami - School of Medicine
University of North Carolina Hearing & Communication Center
University South Carolina Speech and Hearing Research Center
University of Florida Hearing Center at Hampton Oaks
University of Mississippi Speech & Hearing Center
University of Mississippi Medical Center, Depart. of Otolaryngology
University of Alabama Hospital Speech & Language Clinic
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
University of Michigan- Center for Specialty Care
University of Wisconsin - Madison, Speech and Hearing clinic
Duke University Medical Center, Division of Speech Pathology & Audiology
Louisiana Tech University, Speech & Hearing
St. John's University NY - Speech and Hearing Center
Nova South Eastern Audiology Department
Bates Technical College
Clark County School District Audiology Department
United Hospital Systems Kenosha Medical Center Campus
Tufts -New England Medical Center
North Valley Audiology Division of John C. Lincoln Hospital, AZ
Center for Speech and Hearing Bethesda Memorial Hospital
University of the Pacific - Audiology Clinic
University of Canterbury Department of Communication Disorders, New Zealand
School Districts and Cooperatives
Clark County School District, Nevada Audiology Clinic
Grant Wood Area Education Agency (serving hundreds of districts throughout Iowa)
Great Prairie Area Education Agency (serving hundreds of districts throughout Iowa)
Speech and Hearing Whittier Elementary School
Southwest West Central Service Cooperative (serving hundreds of districts throughout MN)
Clinics
Shea Ear Clinic in Memphis, TN
Sparrow Hospital - Audiology Center
Morton Plant Hospital
Northern Michigan Hospital
Great River Medical Center
Mayo Hearing Clinic
Robertson Hearing Clinic
Christensen Hearing Institute
Southgate Hearing Clinic
Hearing Healthcare Of South Carolina
Sierra Nevada ENT
North Alabama ENT Associates
Peconic ENT
Intermountain ENT Center of Salt Lake City
ENT Specialists of Southern New Hampshire
Westwood ENT
ENT Allergy & Sinus Center, Inc.
ENT and Allergy Center, Claremore, OK
Queen City ENT
ENT Clinics of San Antonio, P.A.
Charleston ENT & Associates
ENT Audiology- Dedham Medical Associates
Wilmington ENT
Midwest ENT
ENT Billing Services
Petoskey ENT Specialists
Chevy Chase ENT Associates
Lakeshore ENT - Professional Hearing Aid Center
Other
Dr. Timothy Frost, M.D., Alamagordo, NM
Dr. Levi A. Reiter, Ph.D., New York, NY
Gerald Popelka, Ph.D.
Dr. Bruce Feldman, The Feldman Hearing Studio, Wash. D.C.
Hear In America
Hear In Kentucky
The Starkey Foundation - Over 30 million dollars processed through HearForm for the Foundation.
Nu-Ear Electronics in San Diego, CA
AudMed division of Starkey Labs
Epic Hearing runs most of its entire operation on HearForm10.
If you receive patient leads, (based upon insurance agreements) from EPIC hearing, the faxes, letters, forms and financial agreements will all come from HearForm10 software.
United Way
Easter Seals
Connection Problems and Limited Access
Because Sycle.net is hosted on a server in San Francisco (and not your own desktop computer,) there are a number of potential problems that can arise.
1. We have had a number of customers switch from Sycle to HearForm. When they leave Sycle.net they give us their user name and password, so that we can download their Sycle data into our system. We are surprised by the simplicity of the Sycle User names and Passwords. We don’t want to give any information away here, but suffice it to say that their password protected access to Sycle Customer accounts can easily be guessed and accessed. (I won’t elaborate for security sake.) We feel that Sycle should require much more stringent access to their server full of private patient information.
2. Your Internet Service Provider may be down, preventing you from connecting to your patient database.
3. Sycle.net may be and occasionally is down, preventing you from connecting to your patient database. See 2008 email (we obtained from an ex-Sycle customer) below from just one of those “interruptions in service.” There may have been additional outages since, but this is one we saved.
While this is certainly not an everyday occurrence, Sycle.net has had more than enough previous problems with their server host that they have threatened to sue the host company (their secure IBM data center. A settlement was reached with the host.)
Although Sycle.net has been in operations since 2001, the Sycle interruption letter above demonstrates that the problems continue.
When Sycle.net is down, you cannot access your online scheduler. http://www.sycle.net/faq.php See the frequently asked questions below from Sycle’s website…
"Q. Do I need to be connected to the Internet to use sycle.net?
A. Sycle.net is a web-based application; therefore, you do need to be connected to the Internet to use it."
"Q. Do I need a dedicated line to use sycle.net?
A. Sycle.net recommends that you have a dedicated line because you will be online all day."
Booking appointments and preparing for specific patient visits require that you get a hold of Sycle at the same time everyone else is trying to get through. (Because 3,500 customers databases are now offline.) Printing agreements, running reports, etc. are not possible during those periods of interruptions.
"Q. What do I do if my Internet connection goes down or my computer breaks?
A. If either your Internet connection goes down or your computer breaks, you can call
1-888-881-SYCL. If you have not already printed out your patient schedule and outcome forms for that day, sycle.net will fax them to you."
Of course, if Sycle’s internet connection or server goes down, even Sycle cannot easily get to those servers for that period of disruption. According to Sycle, they "have over 60 with multiple layers of redundancy." Those "over 60 servers" are terrific, unless, as their support desk said during a previous outage... "even we cannot access the servers." Six or sixty doesn't matter when there is no connection to the servers.
"Q: Will my practice be considered HIPAA compliant if I am using sycle.net for my patient management and retention system?
A: Yes, sycle.net has taken care of the secure storage of your patient records electronically. The security of the physical files located in your office would need to be addressed at the clinic level."
This response is inadequate for those wondering if they are HIPAA compliant. There is much more to being HIPAA compliant than hosting your database on the internet. Sycle wants you to believe that they are likely the only HIPAA compliant system in the industry. See the following carefully worded comment from their website...
"Q: Are the other patient management systems available in the marketplace HIPAA compliant?
A: Other patient management systems installed locally at your clinic may not be compliant. The security measures needed to comply with the electronic security of patient files would be dependent on how your network is set up and the types of security access given to your employees."
This is clearly meant to make Sycle competitors appear less secure. The fact is that Sycle users, along with all office management users, must meet a number of additional requirements beyond simple security access. To our knowledge, every competitor offers security access.
Final Conclusion
While I am obviously biased, being the primary developer of HearForm, I have tried to be fair and honest in my comparisons between Sycle and HearForm.
Sycle biggest strength is its ease of access. As long as your internet is working and Sycle’s servers are up, all you need is a web browser to access your patient data. In 2010, HearForm became available online, as well. HearForm is used by many multi-offices over the internet.
One of the Top 5 Hearing Aid Manufacturers uses HearForm (in the Cloud - online) in all of its retail stores, spread throughout the United States. Sycle no longer has that one advantage over HearForm. However, given the choice, the vast majority of our customers choose the privacy and security of running HearForm from their own computers.
HearForm’s strengths include customization, search capability, better marketing, better financials and billing, “going green” paperless capabilities, better support and better pricing.
Which do I choose?
Sycle.net used to have two advantages over HearForm.
1. Remote Access. We now offer that option with even more choices than Sycle. Of course, remote hosting of HearForm may present the same downtime issues that Sycle experiences.
2. Minimal initial fee. We now offer minimal start-up fees and even a "rent to own" option for those who want it.
Conclusion. We can't think of any reason that you would choose Sycle.net over HearForm.
If you want a fully capable system that can handle your particular needs and is far less expensive in the long run, consider HearForm.
Significantly More Powerful
Significantly More Flexible
Significantly Less Expensive
In march of 2008. David Illich, an audiologist from Escondido, CA won the Oticon $100,000.00 Office Makeover Contest. That award included three free years of Sycle.net for his three offices. What did David Illich do? David called HearForm and told us that he would rather pay full price for our software than get an inferior software for free. He turned down Sycle's free offer and paid full price for HearForm. David said that cost (free) was not as important as using the right product. David is now a satisfied HearForm customer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If David would not take three years of Sycle for free, why would you pay $5,364.00 plus all those other inflated fees?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for taking the time to read this thorough document. I hope it can prove helpful to you in your search.
Michael Huskey
President, HearForm Software, LLC
About Us
HearForm was created and designed by audiology professionals who have run practices and dealt with situations like you do every day, so we know what you need.
Purchase
If you're ready to make an excellent investment in your business today, we're ready to help.
We can convert your current data and have your office up and running by the next day.
Features
We think it's a good idea to let you see lots of big screenshots of our software.
Our competition shows only small images and ask for your personal information before letting you take a deeper look.
We're proud of what we have created, so please, take a good look at the full power of HearForm Software.
Contact
Please contact us with any questions or to request materials.
E-mail: mhuskey@hearform.com
Toll Free: 888-453-8806
Fax: 509-315-1469
