Dispensing tools can boost profit

Practices need to invest in dispensing technology as well as clinical instruments to reap the commercial benefits, according to Phil Bareham, operations manager at Shamir Optical.

He told Optician at the ABDO exhibition that modern dispensing tools provided a great opportunity to upsell customers into higher value products. 'People are prepared to spend money in the consulting room but don't spend much in the dispensing areas. This is where they are going to generate their profit,' he said.

Bareham was demonstrating the Shamir Smart Vision Centre, a complete dispensing system which can be used with any make of lens.

The Smart Vision Centre captures all measurements and frame-on-face images. System software allows frame and lens combinations, tints, coatings, photochromics or any other options to be demonstrated. In addition, it shows lens thicknesses for different materials and powers. It can also double up as an educational tool, offering 3D tutorials.