The Real Price of Inaction: What Poor IT Decisions Cost Veterinary Practices
Introduction
Whether you’re starting your first clinic, growing a group, or simply trying to keep pace with demand, one truth applies to all veterinary practices: the wrong tech decisions (or no decision at all) will eventually cost you.
At BVA Live, Jack Peploe joined a panel discussing “The Price of Inaction” for start-ups and scale-ups in veterinary care. Here’s a breakdown of his key insights – real pain points he sees every day, and practical fixes that can help future-proof your practice.
1. The Hidden Dangers of Poor Infrastructure
Problem:
Many practices still rely on consumer-grade internet routers and patchy internal networks. These setups can just about work early on – but the cracks soon show.
Symptoms include:
- Slow PMS performance
- Dropped printers
- Lag in consult rooms
- Intermittent Wi-Fi in key areas
As practices grow and more devices, users, and cloud-based tools come online, this instability multiplies.
Fix:
Invest early in business-grade infrastructure. That means:
- Proper firewalls, managed switches, and robust access points
- Network design with scalability and segmentation in mind
- Reliability at the core, not as an afterthought
This isn’t about overspending – it’s about setting the groundwork for a functional, frustration-free clinic environment.
2. Cybersecurity: The Risk You Can’t Ignore
Problem:
Cybercrime isn’t just a problem for giant companies. While high-profile breaches affect names like BA, NHS, and M&S, veterinary practices are increasingly on the radar too. In fact, 2.5 veterinary practices are impacted every week.
AI is making attacks smarter and more convincing. But the number one cause of breaches? Still human error – like clicking a phishing link.
Fix:
You can drastically reduce your risk with a few essential steps:
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) everywhere
- Regular patching and system updates
- Offsite and tested backups (not just “in theory”)
- Ongoing cybersecurity awareness training for your whole team
Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT problem – it’s a whole-team priority.
3. Scaling Without Chaos: How to Grow Without Losing Control
Problem:
As clinics grow – whether by adding new sites, expanding teams, or adopting new software—disorder often creeps in. Without a clear IT framework, you’ll face:
- Inconsistent device setups
- Data stored in all the wrong places
- Confusion over user access and permissions
- Siloed systems that don’t talk to each other
This lack of visibility makes it impossible to manage your estate with confidence.
Fix:
- Standardise device setups and user access from day one
- Centralise control to improve visibility – not to micromanage
- Choose scalable tools that integrate well and reduce duplication
- Prioritise operational oversight so you always know where your data lives and who has access
Final Thoughts
The cost of inaction doesn’t always hit all at once. It builds, quietly, until your systems slow, your team becomes frustrated, or you fall victim to an avoidable breach.
Jack’s advice? Take the time now to review your infrastructure, cybersecurity, and scalability plans. Whether you’re just starting out or already scaling, a little proactivity now will pay dividends later.
