Profile

• 1982
  Buying groups make their appearance in several industrial, commercial and professional sectors, including that of Optometry.
  
  All these groups were controlled by private interests and participating Optometrists felt that most of the benefits generated by the various programs offered in fact were not passed on to them. Moreover, many of the promotional programs adopted by these groups often went against the profession's code of ethics and the policies of the Quebec Association of Optometrists.
  
  To counteract this situation, the Quebec Association of Optometrists (AOQ), then presided by Dr. Jean-M. Rodrigue, decided to create a buying group controlled by Optometrists for the sole benefit of Optometrists. Its mandate: to further the cause of Independent Optometry against the increasing threat of large optical chains. Its main feature: all benefits would be passed on to the participating Optometrists.

• January 1983
  The AOQ's General Assembly authorizes Optometric Services Inc. to begin its operations. Service agreements for 204 clinics (285 Optometrists) are put into effect.
  
  The following months are devoted to establishing the service group's operating structure, negotiating agreements with approximately 20 suppliers and selecting a computer system for centralizing payments.

• September 1983
  OSI begins its operations and centralizes the payments/purchases of its 204 member clinics.
  
  The Optosys™ practice management software is launched, featuring the first version of the Patient Management and Inventory Control modules.
  
  From the beginning, OSI makes a name for itself and enjoys tremendous growth thanks to its operating efficiency, which allows the group to pass on to its members not only all generated discounts but also part of the interest earned as well!

• 1984
  OSI extends its operations across Canada by signing 37 Optometrists in 20 clinics located outside of Quebec.

• 1989
  First publication of Optovision, a newsletter published by OSI for the benefit of its members.
  
  Creation of "The OSI Award for Excellence in Practice Management". Presented yearly to one graduating student from each of the Optometry schools in Canada who has achieved a high academic standing, as well as demonstrated strong leadership in the areas of professionalism and communication skills.

• 1990
  OSI innovates with the introduction of two new ophthalmic purchasing programs: The Quantity Purchasing Program and the Frame Fair.

• 1991
  The OPTO-PLUS banner begins its operations. This OSI subsidiary enables Independent Optometrists to join forces and pool their professional and financial resources to develop large-scale advertising campaigns and leading edge marketing tools.
  
  The Quantity Purchasing Program becomes more diversified with the addition of new products, such as silicone nose pads, clip-ons, etc.

• 1992
  Two new purchasing formulas are introduced: The Immediate Delivery Quantity Purchasing Program and the Perpetual Inventory Quantity Purchasing Program.

• 1993
  The Frame Fair concept grows beyond frames to include a wider variety of ophthalmic products and its name is changed to Ophthalmic Fair.

• 1995
  OSI officially launches its own private label contact lens line for the exclusive use of its members: Mediflex™.

• 1996
  Privatization of OSI. OSI becomes a privately owned corporation, dissociated and independent from the Quebec Association of Optometrists (AOQ), with its member Independent Optometrists as sole shareholders and modifies its mission statement accordingly.
  
  OSI then explores new growth venues and proceeds with the development of collective action programs aimed at industrial vision, managed care and practice management/marketing training for the benefit of its members and shareholders.
  
  In December 1996, OSI launches its Optimum practice management and marketing training program.

• 1997
  OSI considerably increases the scope and range of its services with the launch of the Optim-ACTION marketing/management services program, the creation of its own in-house advertising agency called Marketing Department, the implementation of a Marketing/CO-OP program and the development of its own Web site.
  
  OSI also takes a new, streamlined, more eye-catching, modern and dynamic corporate image.

• 1998
  OSI makes a strong entry into the industrial vision market through the acquisition of Securo-Vision Inc., the leader in Quebec.

• 1999
  OSI takes leaps ahead in the safety eyewear segment of the market through the acquisition of Protecto-Vision Inc.
  
  OSI launches a new Web site creation and hosting service in order to facilitate and promote the implementation of Internet technology in all its member-clinics.

• 2000
  OSI continues to develop new programs and launches Collection Horizon, the private and exclusive brand for which is found progressive lenses, contact lenses, gas permeable lenses and frames.

• 2001
  Another first: the creation of a wholly-owned finance company. Opto-Finance Inc. enables OSI clinics to finance their equipments and computers at competitive rates and to keep the profits on those financing within their group.

• Today
  OSI is now a more diversified multi-service company offering many of the most important support services needed by independent clinics of optometry.  No surprise that it now represents more than 1,598 Optometrists working in approximately 715 clinics across Canada. This gives OSI an estimated 41% share of the Canadian market for independent Optometrists.

Mission

Our Mission
OSI’s mandate is to contribute to, and reinforce the professional status of Optometrists operating within optometry-owned clinics by procuring them the industry's lowest costs for merchandise and/or services, thereby increasing the client's annual net revenues.  OSI also aims to provide services and tools to aid with the management of revenues and expenses comparable or superior to competitors. OSI always operates within the confines of Provincial Acts and regulations.

Our Service Strategy And Core Competencies
OSI’s service strategy is to offer member clinics services requiring special expertise and skills, which would be too expensive for individual clinics to develop in-house or to outsource, even for very large clinics, but become affordable at the group level.

Some of the core competencies that OSI developed and continues to improve include:

• Negotiating with suppliers;
• Developing and supporting a clinic management software;
• Monitoring the optical industry;
• Marketing and advertising applied to independent optometry clinics;
• Training Optometrists and staff in clinic management as well as in selling skills and customer service;
• Harnessing the potential of IT technologies in general and the internet in particular for the individual and collective benefit of independent full-dispensing optometry clinics;
• Financing optometric equipment and computer systems;
• Developing the safety eyewear market;
• Managing a marketing banner.

We are also working on new projects which will soon enable us to develop new competencies to complement the services we already provide our clinics such as B2B and Benchmarking.

Board of Directors

Incorporation
Federal charter (1982)

Board of Directors
Directors are elected annually by the shareholders

Dr Paul Gray, O.D. Chairman, NS
Dr Élyse Desjardins, O.D. Vice-president, QC
Dr Marc Bolduc, O.D. Administrator, QC
Dr Carol Marois, O.D. Administrator, QC
Dr Patrick Simard, O.D. Administrator, QC
Docteur Bruce Robinson, O.D. Administrator, SK
Dr Paul Neumann, O.D. Administrator, BC
Dr Josée Martineau, O.D. Administrator, ON

Fiscal year
January 1st to December 31st.

Shareholders
Approximately 1,598 independent Optometrists who own one or more of the 715 clinics within OSI's network. Only the Optometrists can be shareholders of the company.

Management

Advantages

Important advantages for our members and their patients