Automation Isn’t Exciting – But It’s What Actually Makes Practices Work

This article draws on themes discussed in a recent conversation with Carly Clark on the Modern Veterinary Practice podcast; you can find the episode here: Futureproofing Practice Technology, AI & Avoiding Digital Regret | Episode 43 – Veterinary IT Services

There’s no shortage of conversation in veterinary medicine about AI.

It’s often presented as the next big leap forward – smarter, faster, transformative. And while AI absolutely has a role to play, that focus can quietly push something far more important into the background.

Automation.

It’s not flashy. It doesn’t get headlines. But done properly, it removes friction, reduces error, and gives teams back time – which is ultimately what most practices are trying to achieve.

The difference between practices that thrive with tech – and those buried by it

The practices that get real value from technology tend to share one thing in common.

They aren’t chasing every new tool.

Instead, they focus on building systems that are:

• Scalable
• Secure
• Integrated
• Designed to support how people actually work

Future-proofing isn’t about stacking more software on top of existing problems. It’s about choosing infrastructure that can grow, adapt, and connect – whether that’s cloud-based systems, integrated payments, client communications, or diagnostic tools that talk to each other.

Where practices struggle is often not because the technology isn’t available, but because:

• Capabilities aren’t fully understood
• Tools are adopted in isolation
• Manual workarounds become “just how we do things”

Over time, that creates friction that teams barely notice – until it starts costing them time and energy every day.

Automation: the unglamorous workhorse

Automation rarely gets the attention AI does, but it solves some of the most persistent pain points in practice.

Things like:

• Appointment reminders
• Preventive care communications
• Prescription refill prompts
• Routine client messaging

These are all essential, repetitive, and time-consuming. Left manual, they introduce inconsistency, missed opportunities, and unnecessary workload.

Automated communication within a practice management system quietly removes hours of admin each week – without reducing care quality or human interaction.

It doesn’t feel revolutionary.
But it works.

Reducing clicks matters more than adding features

Good automation isn’t just about doing things for people – it’s also about designing workflows that make sense.

In practice management systems, that means:

• Surfacing the next logical step at the right moment
• Reducing unnecessary clicks
• Making workflows intuitive for both long-term staff and locums

This kind of design doesn’t automate decision-making – it supports it. And the result is a smoother experience for teams and more time spent with clients and patients, rather than screens.

Sometimes the biggest gains come not from adding new tools, but from removing friction in the ones you already use.

Where AI fits – practically, not hypothetically

AI absolutely has a place in modern practice – but its value comes when it supports existing workflows, not when it tries to replace them.

Right now, the most practical applications are:

• AI scribes to reduce time spent writing clinical notes
• Patient history summarisation to give clinicians a clear overview before consultations

These tools don’t eliminate responsibility or judgement. They reduce cognitive load and administrative drag, allowing teams to stay focused on care.

The real opportunity comes when AI is properly integrated into the practice management system – not bolted on – so that data, workflows, and automation all work together.

Looking back to move forward

Five years ago, much of the profession was still heavily reliant on on-premise systems, with understandable reluctance to change. Technology felt risky. Familiarity felt safer.

What’s shifted since then isn’t just the tools – it’s the mindset.

There’s now greater openness to:

• Cloud-based systems
• Integrated partners
• Automation as a way to improve work-life balance
• Technology as an enabler, not a disruption

That change in attitude may be the most important development of all.

A quieter definition of future-proofing

Future-proofing a practice doesn’t mean adopting everything new.

It means:

• Choosing systems that integrate
• Automating the boring, repetitive work
• Designing workflows around people
• Using AI where it genuinely saves time

Automation may not be exciting – but it’s often the difference between technology that looks impressive and technology that actually helps.

And in a busy practice, help matters far more than hype.

This article draws on themes discussed in a recent conversation with Carly Clark on the Modern Veterinary Practice podcast; you can find the episode here: Futureproofing Practice Technology, AI & Avoiding Digital Regret | Episode 43 – Veterinary IT Services