PetPoint is an Application Service Provider developed for the animal welfare industry to support shelter and animal care operations.
What is an Application Service Provider?
An ASP is a company that creates software that is delivered over the Internet, instead of being installed on a local computer or server. An ASP will usually provide and support that software as a rental rather than as a complete purchase.
What are the advantages of using web-based software versus software I load onto my local computers?
Web-based software has two main advantages. One, software that is installed locally or "in-house" requires additional hardware and software and may be more expensive both in the short and long term. Hardware costs include a file server, data back-up device, network cabling and back-up power supply. Additional software costs include network software, database software, operating system software, firewall software and data back-up software. With a web-based application, an organization's hardware and software costs are dramatically decreased. PetPoint provides the necessary server, data backup, backup power supply and security hardware and software required to effectively manage an organization's data.
Two, web-based software is available anywhere a computer and an Internet access exists. This helps facilitate off-site adoption programs and allows staff and volunteers to access data when not in the shelter.
How secure is my data?
The PetPoint Data Center is a secure facility with a highly qualified IT staff located on premise. PetPoint ensures your data will always be available by providing power and Internet access capabilities. Data is backed-up daily and stored off-site in order to safeguard against unforeseen events. Encrypted passwords and advanced firewall technology, consistent with financial services companies, are used to prevent unauthorized access to your organization's data.
Who owns the data and images our organization enters into PetPoint?
Your organization owns all data and images and may share the information with anyone your organization authorizes. A manual download feature has been included in PetPoint and an automatic data transfer can be provided as an additional service. PetPoint can easily transfer adoptable animal data and images to other Internet sites such as Petfinder.com site.
Will data acquired through our organization be sold, exchanged, bartered or otherwise provided to outside companies or individuals?
Data acquired through PetPoint is used by the Pethealth family of companies as needed for administration of Pethealth programs. Such programs include ShelterCare and 24PetWatch. Information is not sold, bartered, given or otherwise distributed to outside agencies or persons.
What type of setup do I need at my facility?
All your organization will need is a windows-based computer equipped with Microsoft Internet Explorer, Adobe Acrobat Reader and a high-speed connection to the Internet. For exact workstation and software specifications, please contact a member of the PetPoint Team. Note: Macs, including Intel-based versions, are not compatible with PetPoint.
What type of support is available for PetPoint?
PetPoint has support personnel available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Consulting services to help you get the most from PetPoint and other Pethealth services are also available.
What will PetPoint cost?
There are no fees associated with PetPoint. No purchase fee! No installation fee! No monthly or annual service or licensing fees!
Any U.S. or Canadian animal welfare organization can obtain and use PetPoint free of charge by doing both of the following:
Promote the ShelterCare insurance program to all canine and
feline adopters.
Implement the 24PetWatch Microchip Recovery program. 24PetWatch (link) provides a perfectly compatible, lower cost microchip and no registration fee.
Both the ShelterCare and 24PetWatch programs have been integrated into PetPoint for seamless administration. At the time the animal is adopted, PetPoint will automatically activate the ShelterCare insurance gift and register the 24PetWatch microchip without delay and without the use of cumbersome paper forms.
How does PetPoint differ from other shelter software programs?
Veteran animal welfare personnel designed PetPoint specifically for animal welfare agencies. Unlike most shelter software, PetPoint incorporates general animal shelter "rules of operation", making it very intuitive and accurate.
Additionally, PetPoint is the only animal management software system that incorporates the ShelterCare and the 24PetWatch programs.
Do I need high-speed (broadband) internet access to use PetPoint?
Yes. You will need a high speed internet service such as DSL, cable internet, or wireless broadband.
Please note that dial-up, "turbo dial-up", satellite or other wireless internet services do not have sufficient upload and download speeds to support efficient use of PetPoint. These types of connections will work for off-site or special events, but are not supported for normal day-to-day use of PetPoint.
PetPoint is the best! The ease of use and fantastic tech support are phenomenal, allowing us to easily make the transition from our old program to PetPoint. In addition, registering the micro-chips and registering for the insurance at the point of adoption, has saved us hours and hours of work and follow-up calls.
Gabby Evans
Director
Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter
