Empire Vision Centers - Vision Monday year 2005 Ranking - #8
SDS User since 1999



Empire Vision Centers (EVC), USA's 10th largest optical retailer at the end of year 2004 has been operating SDS since mid 1999 and has grown every year since. EVC operates over 90 wholly owned retail centers primarily in Northeast USA. SDS is implemented in all locations and is tightly integrated with all corporate 3rd party systems.

Tom Rosa, Vice President of Retail Operations stated that "The system has allowed us to quickly and efficiently obtain managed care authorizations and communicate with our home office systems to reduce paperwork. From our customers' perspective, the extensive optical edits in the system help improve our benchmark quality in eyewear manufacturing" he said

In choosing SDS, the company looked at the technical merits of the application as well as the comprehensive functionality of the product.

"The SDS application has been deployed utilizing a thin-client model, offering significant advantages in terms of maintenance and support time" said Michael Thibdeau, Chief Information Officer. "The model also allows us to add products with minimal additional work".

"Our selection for this prestigious overseas contract confirms our position as a leading optical IT company," said SDS CEO John Chartres. He added, "We believe that we have the best to offer optical practices in terms of technology in the United Kingdom, but when Empire Vision Centers sought us out the international value of our software was confirmed".

Through its company-owned ophthalmic finishing laboratories, the parent of Empire Vision Centers, Davis Vision fabricates a broad range of eyewear products using state of the art optical technology. Davis Vision's basic benefits include coverage for eye examinations, frames, lenses, contact lenses and access to an extensive national Laser Vision correction program.

Davis Vision, based in Plainview, New York, provides vision care services to over 19 million people in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Guam, partnering with a network of over 14,000 optometrists, ophthalmologists and retail locations.

Top