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14th November 2011 : Ocuco ranked in Deloitte Technology Fast 50 at the till

Ocuco announced that it ranked in the 2011 Deloitte Technology Fast 50, a ranking of the 50 fastest growing technology companies in Ireland. Rankings are based on average percentage revenue growth over five years. Ocuco's CEO, Leo Mac Canna credits hard work and perseverance with revenue growth over the past five years. He said, 'We are really happy with our level of growth over the last five years. Our success is a result of investment, not only in R&D, but in our employees as well. Our team here at Ocuco have put in the hard work and hours and continues to do so as we continue to grow.'

The Fast 50 programme, now in its twelfth year in Ireland, ranks the fastest-growing technology companies in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This year, there are 14 companies from Northern Ireland in the ranking. The average growth rate of the Fast 50 companies named in this year's ranking is 674%. Announcing the winners of the Technology Fast 50 programme, David O'Flanagan, Partner, Deloitte said: "Looking at the list of Deloitte Fast 50 winners in 2011, it becomes clear that we are witnessing the second wave of Irish technology companies starting to mature. In 2001, companies such as Conduit, Horizon Technologies and Iona were riding high as Fast 50 winners; ten years on and there are new kids on the block who mirror their predecessors in having great ideas and understand that to grow they have to go global."

12th July 2011 : Ocuco enables collection of charitable donations at the till

Ocuco has partnered with the charity Vision Care for Homeless People (VCHP) in an effort to bring vision care to homeless people throughout the UK. To help VCHP attract the funding they require to expand their services nationwide, Ocuco has enabled their Acuitas and Focus Practice Management Systems to process charitable donations from patients at the till. Donations can be collected for any charity of choice. Instructions for how to configure the software are on our website with guidelines for both Acuitas and FOCUS customers.

Left: Harinder Paul, CEO of VCHP. Right: Arran Walsh, Marketing Director, Ocuco.

Some comments from grateful Vision Care recipients: "My vision was seriously jumbled up. I don't trust opticians in the high street, but it was great to get the help here" "I've struggled with my eyes for about 12-15 years. Even though just before Christmas, I couldn't read a piece of paper in my hand, as an ex squaddie, I couldn't bear to go into an opticians. I got my glasses a few weeks back and I've never felt better".

1st June 2011 : Ocuco announces new webinar series for opticians

Ocuco, the second largest optical software company in the world, is proud to present a new series of webinars over the coming months, which are open to all opticians to attend.

This series will focus on helping opticians in understanding key areas for streamlining practice operations and improving business results. The live events will cover interesting topics including Recall Optimisation, Paperless Practice, Electronic GOS Claiming, VAT Optimisation and more.

The first in the series of five webinars, “Recalls: Best Practice”, discusses how to increase the number of patients attending the practice and how to reduce the cost of recalls. The webinar on Business Intelligence is about how to access to the data within your Practice Management System, and how that data can be manipulated and graphed to assist in management of your practice and to create targeted marketing to existing patients. The “VAT Optimisation for Opticians” webinar is a brief guide to some tax-efficient approaches opticians can adopt, which may lead to considerable savings across a trading year.

Ocuco recently held a webinar on electronic GOS claiming, which received great feedback. You can find the webinar video and the presentation slides on this and previous webcasts at www.ocuco.co.uk/webcast.html .

A webinar is an online meeting where the participants can listen in to highly relevant material on subjects they choose. Typically lasting just 30 mins, they are a very efficient way to learn, without leaving the comfort of your own practice or home. Getting involved is simple, free and easy – just register for the webinar beforehand. An email is then sent with a link to the webinar, which you then click on at the time the webinar is scheduled. The format is usually “listen only” but you can submit any questions by typing into a text box.

For further information on the new free webinar series, please visit: www.ocuco.co.uk/webinars.html

6th May 2011: Exhibitors Raffle Optrafair 2011

Optrafair 2011 was a huge success for Ocuco with record levels of sales at the show. The sun shone brightly and spirits were high with visitors plentiful at the show.

Our newly launched “Exhibitors Raffle” proved very popular among exhibitors and we have decided to hold one at the Ocuco stand for future shows. The draw created a good atmosphere and a little light relief in what turned out to be a very busy and successful 3 days for Ocuco.

The lucky winners of the raffle were as follows:

Saturday 9th April Gareth Cottrell, Managing Direct Ocuco UK presents Zoe Smith of Nidek with a stylish Cross Pen on the first day of the show.

Sunday 10th April Leo Mac Canna, CEO Ocuco presents Lee Rosser from Keeler with a stylish Cross Pen on the second day of the show.

Monday 11th April Leo Mac Canna, CEO Ocuco presents Paul Artley from Mainline Instruments with a iPad2, the “Exhibitors Raffle” golden prize.

19th April 2011: Senior Product Consultant based in Manchester, CT, USA

Ocuco is pleased to announce that Russell Gagain has joined the company as Senior Product Consultant based in Manchester, CT, USA. Russell brings over 20 years in-depth experience of the ophthalmics industry. He holds a Bachelor Degree in computer Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration. Russell is also skilled in the area of marketing having led the introduction of numerous products into international markets.

A licensed optician, Russell has also earned credentials from the American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners. He is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honour Society and the recipient of the UNCONN Hall of Fame for Business, in recognition of his academic achievements.

Russell is very accomplished in the area of optical software and has worked closely with Robert Shanbaum over a period of 20 years. He first supported RxCalc and then Innovations lab software while at Gerber Optical (later Gerber Coburn). Russell has also facilitated numerous machine vendors in the development of interfaces for OMA communications. He has extensive experience in the integration and improvement of manufacturing processes, and has managed projects enabling the development of consumables used in optical manufacturing.

Russell says "It is really exciting to join a dynamic company that makes a positive impact to the international community through its optical software and ultimately the patients that benefit from it."

4th April 2011: Ocuco at Optrafair

Optrafair is just around the corner. This year, there are more reasons than ever to visit Ocuco at stand H-50.

We have some great new product features and some very special offers available at Optrafair.

• eGos - Automatic real-time electronic validation, submission and reconciliation of GOS claims.
• Exclusive: Lesion Annotation Tool - Exclusive to Ocuco. The only Lesion Annotation Tool that can read and write annotated images from the new version of the ENSPDR On-line Test and Training System. This is a first time opportunity for graders to record exactly what they see: the exact location, extent, shape and type of lesion.
• New Direct Debit module - Improved functionality to automate the Direct Debit process from ordering goods to cash collection.
• WebDiaryLink - Link the Acuitas diary to your practice website allowing patients and potential customers to book appointments online 24/7 and track the status of orders
• OCT Link - Increase the value of the investment in your OCT by integrating your images with your patients' clinical record within Acuitas.

During Optrafrair, we will have a seminar in Suite 27 at the NEC. Please click here for the presentation schedule.

All visitors to the Ocuco stand will be entered into a FREE draw for an iPad 2, so please be sure to drop in to see us at stand H-50. Win an iPad! All stand visitors will be entered for a raffle.

Finally, Ocuco will be sponsoring a talk by Steve Aldington, Hon. Assoc. Prof., Warwick Medical School, entitled Staff Accreditation in DR Screening which may be of intrerest to you. This will take place in the OT Live Arena on Sunday the 10th April at 4.45pm.

Visit our Optrafair 2011 section to book an appointment with us or for more information.

30th March 2011: New Group Clinical Director

Ocuco announces that Victor Scrooby has joined the organisation as Group Clinical Director. Based in Brisbane, Australia, Victor will also have general management responsibility for Ocuco in the Asia Pacific region.

Victor Scrooby brings extensive experience to the organisation. "I am humbled by this opportunity to infuse some of my wide and varied optometric experience into a software application which will impact so many patients."

Victor qualified as an Optometrist in 1995 in South Africa with a BSc (Hons) Optometry and Mc Optom. Victor practised in South Africa with Eagle Vision and in private practice. He moved to the UK in 1998 where he worked with Opticians such as David Clulow and D&A before setting up the UK Classic Eyes chain which has stores in the UK and South Africa.

Victor began his relationship with Ocuco over 10 years ago while in the UK, when his was one of the first companies to purchase the Acuitas product. He relocated to Australia to join Big W Vision, a full service optometry chain before becoming a partner in one of the busiest Specsavers stores in Australia.

A Sports Vision Optometrist, Victor was a consultant for the Great Britain Target Shooting Federation and worked with the British Olympic shooting team. He also has a keen interest in Childrens Vision and has given his time over the past 12 years to help children with reading problems.

Leo Mac Canna, CEO of Ocuco says "Victor is a great addition to Ocuco, providing both a clinical face for Ocuco, and deep commercial experience having run his own independent practices and chain franchise. He will enhance our ability to put ourselves in our customers' shoes and produce great clinical and commercial software."

 

9th March 2011: Largest Italian optical retail chain chooses Ocuco enterprise software

Ocuco announces a major deal with 500 store chain Salmoiraghi e Viganó, the largest in Italy.

In November, Ocuco successfully completed phase 1 of the project, rolling out its Acuitas Enterprise software across the 375 owned stores at rates of up to 36 stores per week over a 3 month period. Phase 2 of the project which encompasses the remaining 125 franchise and concession outlets is being planned, and is expected to be completed by June 2011.

Salmoiraghi e Viganó (S&V) began their IT selection process in 2009. They evaluated many software suppliers, both from the optical retail software vertical, like Ocuco, and from the generic EPOS software horizontal. "With the increasing complexity of IT systems it is more economical to co-outsource to a specialist company, leveraging their economies of learning and of scale. We underwent an extensive procurement process, and are very satisfied with the breadth of capabilities which Ocuco brought. Their products are robust, their infrastructure is well developed and their staff are very experienced." said Antonio Nicoletti, IT Director of Salmoiraghi e Viganó.

Ocuco's development and project management teams integrated with S&V's IT department to tailor the Acuitas Enterprise application for S&V's specific environment and plan the rollout campaign. The project was jointly managed. S&V IT managed the relationship with S&V Business (stores and Area Managers), user acceptance testing and integration of Acuitas with back-office systems, while Ocuco took responsibility for development, production of training material, logistics and the installation and training across Italy during the rollout.

According to Angelo Furlotti, CEO Ocuco Italia, "successfully delivering this project on time and within budget was made possible by the solid partnership developed between S&V and Ocuco in the planning, development and rollout phases of the project. User acceptance at the stores has been very positive, largely because the S&V IT team solicited input from the store users during the planning phase, with the system now automating many of their repetitive tasks, making their work more enjoyable and leaving more time for customer care. The commitment of store staff has been extraordinary through this period of organisational change."

"This is an extremely challenging project with very tight timelines. We are very proud to have been selected by Salmoiraghi e Vigano for this project." commented Leo MacCanna, CEO of the Ocuco group.

31st August 2010: Ocuco sells it pharmacy software division

Ocuco recently concluded the sale of its pharmacy management division to Touchstore limited, in a deal valued at over €1 million. The pharmacy management division is home to its very successful Integra suite of pharmacy management software products.

Ocuco's revenues of €8.7m (2010) are derived primarily in the Ophthalmic software space, with over 90% generated internationally. Ocuco's domestically-focused pharmacy management division is amongst its smaller divisions, so Ocuco has decided the time is right to give the pharmacy software division its own wings. "Although Integra's revenue has almost doubled from 2009 to 2010, within Ocuco, Integra could not receive the focus required to capitalise on recent success and achieve the prominent market position it deserves. We have a long relationship with many of our pharmacy customers and I am happy that Integra is finding a good home with Touchstore", said Leo MacCanna, CEO of Ocuco.

29th October 2009: Ocuco ranked 11th in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50

Ocuco was this week ranked 11th within the Deloitte Technology Fast 50, a ranking of the 50 fastest growing technology companies in Ireland. Ocuco's 5 year growth rate to 2008 was 505.26%. Ocuco has been among the Top 50 consistently over the past 4 years since 2006.

Ocuco's CEO, Leo Mac Canna, attributes the company's revenue growth over the past five years to its innovation in the field of the professional practice management software and its expansion into optical retail chains in the UK, in continental Europe and in the USA.

"We are glad to be recognised among the most dynamic companies in Ireland. Our constant innovation is the engine that has given us this growth over the last few years, resulting in Ocuco putting clear blue water between us, as specialists in the Optical field, and the generic suppliers of POS systems," said Leo.

The Fast 50 programme, now in its tenth year in Ireland, ranks the fastest-growing technology companies in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Details of the final Technology Fast 50 ranking list are available to download at www.fast50.ie

4th March 2009: Vision Express extends contract with Ocuco to 2016.

Vision Express and Ocuco have signed a five year extension to their software and support contract. Ocuco's software, Acuitas Enterprise, was first installed across their 200 store estate in 2005 with a commitment to 2010. Since then VE has grown to over 300 stores, including 75 Batemans stores acquired last year. A key tool in the acquisition's integration, Acuitas was rolled out to them in four weeks last June.

Leo MacCanna, Chief Executive Officer for Ocuco said "We invested a lot in R&D to keep our customers and we are committed to keeping our product on the leading edge into the future. We look forward to renewing again in 2016.'

Acuitas is an enterprise retail system specifically developed for the optical market. It can cover the full patient journey out of the box without the need for the cost and delay of the extensive bespoke development required when implementing generic EPoS systems such as SAP retail, PCMS and Win/DSS. A new basic EPoS-only version is now available priced to compete directly against these generic EPoS systems, but with the option to add practice management, optometry, clinical and manufacturing modules.

The product is now in use in the UK, Spain, French and Italian markets due to be released by end of June 2009. The system caters for the various optometry models in Europe and the Americas.

Founded in 1993, Ocuco is the largest optical retail software company outside the US with $10m in revenues and 100 staff. It is on the Deloitte European fast 500 list, with installations in most countries across the globe. Ocuco has offices in Ireland, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Australia and the USA. The company will be exhibiting at Hall 11 Stand T-02 at MIDO.