oandp.com

Original question: I was recently contacted by a representative for Empire
Medical (Oregon). This is a company that provides purchasing software for
orthotics, prosthetics and pedorthics.

On the Co. website they have a long list of O and P suppliers that they
have negotiated discounts with and which can be accessed via their software
package.

I have an appointment to meet with the rep next week and wondered if
anyone has contracted with this service and is willing to share your experiences
- good, bad or otherwise.

Responses:

I've been using them for since September and it's been awesome, 1 bill to
pay instead of a gazillion, you tell them what you want and they'll find it
and get it to you where ever they need to pull it from. There website
search is okay though definitively not complete you have to look some parts or
just give them an idea. reordering is super easy once you product are in
there system and if you have returns they take care of it all. It's made
my life a lot easier.
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Hi Dennis,

We use the Opie Purchasing here but would be interested in hearing more
about your responses to your query or your appointment next week.
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Dennis,

How are you doing? There is a learning curve to using the Empire
software, but once you pick it up it does make life easier. Depending on the
discounts you have now, it may or may not make things less expensive as they
charge a fee. For us, it made things less expensive because we were willing
to change brands of certain products and use less expensive, but comparable
parts. In particular, it makes ordering, processing returns and searching
for the least expensive solution a lot easier as you can search for
products by L-Code based on price. It also, saves us time. Overall it's like
using a purchasing agent. I recommend you keep an open mind and be willing to
try out less expensive alternatives to everyday items such as fiberglass
and endoskeletal components. I hope this helps.
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I just signed up with them last week. Some of the discounts are amazing.
Waiting on first order to arrive. Saved about $150 on $1800 over ordering
from SPS. I plan on using them for most products; however there are some small
items the do not have yet. I'll keep you posted if I have any issues.
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This seems to be another OPGA with actual software instead of you letting
the supplier know your an OPGA member
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Id love to hear your responses on Empire when/if you get some.
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I would be interested in what you learn from them. I don't know
anything about them.
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