123Pet Software: A Deep Dive and Why Pet Manager Might Be a Better Fit
123Pet Software: A Deep Dive and Why Pet Manager Might Be a Better Fit
Making a decision on business management software can feel overwhelming. You’re not just buying a tool; you’re choosing a partner that will be at the core of your daily operations. 123Pet, part of the DaySmart family of products, is a well-known name in the industry, particularly for pet groomers and daycare centers. It has a reputation for being a solid, reliable platform for managing appointments and clients.
But what if your business has needs that go beyond the standard appointment book? What if you require deeper financial control, more powerful automation, or the flexibility to manage multiple types of pet services seamlessly? This is where taking a closer look at an alternative like Pet Manager can illuminate a path to greater efficiency and growth.
Beyond the Appointment: Comprehensive Service Management
123Pet excels at appointment-based services. Its scheduling tools are a core feature, allowing businesses to manage bookings, staff availability, and client information effectively.
Pet Manager also offers robust scheduling for services like grooming and training, but its capabilities extend much further into the realm of facility-based care. If you run a boarding kennel, for instance, your needs are vastly different. You’re not just booking a time slot; you’re managing a physical space—a pen or a suite—over a period of days or weeks. [cite_start]Our platform includes dedicated, visual schedulers for boarding [cite: 13] that show you pen availability at a glance. [cite_start]You can see which pets are in which pens, for how long, and even manage “split bookings” where a pet moves from one pen to another during their stay[cite: 16]. This is a level of detail designed specifically for the complexities of lodging.
This all-in-one approach means that a business offering daycare, boarding, and grooming doesn’t feel like it’s forcing a square peg into a round hole. [cite_start]Each service has its own dedicated booking form and management interface[cite: 15], all under one unified system.
Financial Acumen and Flexibility
Managing the money side of your business should be straightforward and accurate. [cite_start]While 123Pet includes POS and payment processing, Pet Manager was built with a strong emphasis on robust financial principles[cite: 34]. Our system doesn’t just record payments; it follows proper accounting methods for invoices, credit notes, and deposits, giving you a clearer, more accurate financial picture.
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One of our most powerful financial tools is the pricing calculator[cite: 15]. The pet care industry rarely has one-size-fits-all pricing. With Pet Manager, you can create complex pricing rules that automatically calculate costs based on factors you define. For example, you can set different prices for:
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- The season (e.g., peak holiday rates) [cite: 20]
- The number of pets in a booking
- The size, breed, or age of the pet [cite: 15]
- The length of the stay (e.g., discounts for longer bookings) [cite: 15]
- Specific customer types (e.g., VIPs or staff) [cite: 2]
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This automation not only saves countless hours of manual calculation but also drastically reduces the risk of human error in billing. [cite_start]Furthermore, for businesses that take deposits, Pet Manager has a dedicated system to manage deposit requirements, track their due dates, and report on any that are overdue[cite: 19, 35].
The Client Experience Reimagined
In today’s digital world, a smooth online experience is non-negotiable. A clunky customer portal can lead to abandoned bookings and frustrated clients. 123Pet offers online booking, giving clients a convenient way to schedule services.
Pet Manager aims to create a more integrated and empowering client journey. [cite_start]Our customer portal can be embedded directly into your website[cite: 52], so your branding and user experience remain consistent. There’s no jarring jump to a third-party domain. [cite_start]Clients can register, manage their details, upload pet photos and vaccination records, and digitally sign your terms and conditions [cite: 55]—all within this integrated portal. As one of our users mentioned in a review, “Clients find it easy to use… the online booking system has saved me so much admin time.”
We also offer a unique “Web App” feature, which allows your clients to add your portal to their phone’s home screen. [cite_start]It gives them app-like access to booking and managing their services with you, without you needing to develop and maintain an actual mobile app[cite: 52].
Choosing your software is a pivotal decision. While 123Pet is a capable solution for appointment-focused businesses, Pet Manager offers a more comprehensive, flexible, and financially robust platform built to handle the diverse and evolving needs of the entire pet care industry. It’s designed not just to manage your business today, but to scale with you tomorrow.
Curious to see a platform that adapts to you, not the other way around? Start your 30-day free trial of Pet Manager and feel the difference.
