Pharmacy Software Reliability – What Kind of Downtime Can I Expect?

When running an independent pharmacy, reliability is not optional, it’s essential. Every prescription you fill, every patient you help, and every claim you transmit depends on your pharmacy software functioning seamlessly. 

Downtime doesn’t just cause frustration; it disrupts patient care, decreases efficiency, and costs your pharmacy money. That’s why choosing the best pharmacy software is about more than just features. It’s about selecting a system and a partner you can depend on.

Let’s explore what kind of downtime you can expect from different pharmacy management systems, the differences between cloud-based and on-premise solutions, and why Datascan Pharmacy Software solutions stand out with unparalleled reliability and industry-leading support.

Understanding Downtime in Pharmacy Software

Downtime occurs any time your pharmacy management system isn’t working properly. It can mean being completely locked out of your system, working around a problem or dealing with slow, lagging performance that prevents staff from working efficiently. Common causes of downtime include:

• Internet outages – Cloud-based pharmacy systems rely entirely on the internet. If your pharmacy loses connection or the host system has issues, you may be stuck waiting until service is restored.
• Server outages on the vendor’s side– Cloud pharmacy systems may experience server crashes, scheduled maintenance, or data center failures, leaving pharmacies unable to access their software.
• Software bugs – New updates or untested changes can introduce bugs that take hours or days for the vendor to patch.
• Slow support responses – Even a small issue can become a major downtime event if it takes time to get a support technician on the line, and worse if it takes hours or days for the pharmacy software systems vendor to fix the issue.
• Hardware issues- printer problems, issues with the network, component failure within a PC can all cause downtime in your pharmacy.

When your pharmacy depends on fast service, these delays can cause disappointed and frustrated staff and patients.

Cloud vs. On-Premise Pharmacy Software

One of the most important factors in determining system reliability is whether your pharmacy runs on the cloud or is an on-premise solution.

Cloud-Based Pharmacy Software:

• Requires a strong and consistent internet connection.
• You still need a working network and operational computers to access the pharmacy system
• If your internet is down, even briefly, your pharmacy is effectively offline.
• Issues on the host side, such as server crashes or overload, can shut down multiple pharmacies at once.
• Benefit of working from anywhere with ease
• Automatic updates may introduce new bugs without warning.
• Online support queues can leave you waiting while your staff sits idle.

On-Premise Pharmacy Software:

• Runs locally on servers or computers inside your pharmacy, any issues related to your hardware or network could bring your business down.
• Internet outages don’t bring your operations to a halt—you stay operational.
• Updates are tested and implemented with a slow rollout.
• Your pharmacy retains access to its own data without relying on a third party.
• To work remotely, you must use either a VPN network, Microsoft remote desktop access, or a remote program to control a PC such as Logmein. 

Datascan offers among the most reliable pharmacy software systems. Datascan offers on-premise reliability that keeps your pharmacy running no matter what’s happening with your internet connection or external servers.  Additionally, Datascan support is second to none– with immediate access to the helpdesk to quickly troubleshoot any issues and keep your pharmacy computers systems up and running.

Datascan’s Track Record of Reliability

Pharmacy owners using Datascan Pharmacy Software consistently report little to no downtime thanks to a combination of factors:

• Client on-premises software: With software installed locally, pharmacies are protected from the risks of internet failures or vendor server issues.
• Proactive updates: Datascan thoroughly tests updates before release, reducing the chance of disruptive bugs, and no massive updates are rolled out automatically.  
• Immediate support: Unlike many competitors, Datascan’s support team is known for answering calls in under 30 seconds. That means issues are resolved in real time instead of leaving your staff waiting hours or even days.
• Experienced help desk: The majority of Datascan’s support team has been with the company for 10+ years, giving them unmatched knowledge of pharmacy workflows and technical challenges.

The Cost of Downtime with Other Vendors

Many pharmacies that switch to Datascan do so after struggling with competitors. Here’s why:

• Support wait times: Some pharmacy systems vendors force pharmacies into long hold queues or require email tickets that can take days to resolve. That’s lost time your patients and staff can’t afford.
• Unreliable bug fixes: When a pharmacy system pushes out an automatic update with an error, every pharmacy using the platform may be impacted until the vendor resolves it.

When compared, the difference in reliability is clear—the best pharmacy software isn’t just about features, it’s about uptime.

Why Independent Pharmacies Choose Datascan

Independent pharmacies operate on thin margins and can’t afford interruptions or downtime. With Datascan Pharmacy Software, pharmacies get peace of mind knowing they’ve chosen one of the top pharmacy software solutions in the industry. Key benefits include:

• Unmatched reliability- Datascan’s top pharmacy software is dependable and helps you keep your pharmacy running smoothly.
• Top-tier support – Rapid response times mean your staff gets real answers in under 30 seconds.
• Industry experience – With decades of expertise, Datascan understands the unique challenges of independent pharmacies.

Long-term trust – Pharmacies that choose Datascan stay with Datascan. The company’s reputation for reliability and support keeps clients loyal.

What Kind of Downtime Can You Expect with Datascan?

The short answer: almost none.

Because Datascan’s pharmacy management system runs locally in your pharmacy and is backed by the fastest, most knowledgeable support team in the industry, your staff won’t experience the common downtimes that plague other pharmacy management systems. If a question or technical issue arises, you can count on real-time answers from a dedicated team that knows your system inside and out.

With Datascan, downtime doesn’t drag on for hours or days—it’s resolved almost immediately. This is why many independent pharmacies consider Datascan not just the best pharmacy software, but also the most reliable pharmacy software on the market.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to searching for the absolute best pharmacy software, reliability should be at the top of your priority list. Frequent disruptions, slow support responses, and unexpected bugs can cause severe downtime and cripple your operations.

Datascan Pharmacy Software systems offer the reliability, control, and support that independent pharmacies need to thrive. With on-premise stability, minimal downtime, and the fastest support in the industry, Datascan isn’t just a solution—it’s a partner in your pharmacy’s success.

For independent pharmacies that can’t afford to risk downtime, Datascan remains the clear choice for the top pharmacy software available today.