AUSTIN, Texas--VisionWeb, the online service to help eyecare providers streamline and simplify their practices, and VWI (Vision West, Inc.), one of the top ophthalmic purchasing groups in the nation, will collaborate to promote VisionWeb’s ordering services to VWI members.

VWI members are encouraged to take advantage of VisionWeb’s services to help automate ordering eyecare products to their VWI-approved suppliers.

“VisionWeb is excited to collaborate with VWI on this campaign to promote online ordering,” said Jeff Saddington, president, and CEO for VisionWeb. “VWI offers many benefits to its members, and we are proud that our ordering services are now part of that offering. We look forward to building a long and positive relationship with VWI and its members, many of whom are already using VisionWeb’s services in one form or another.”

Ordering on VisionWeb is free for eyecare providers and VWI members will continue to receive their buying group discounts when they order to their suppliers through VisionWeb. VisionWeb operates independently and does not interfere with pricing relationships that eyecare providers may have with their suppliers. Additionally, VWI orders placed on VisionWeb will contribute to royalties earned by AOA state affiliates participating in VisionWeb’s AOA Royalty Program. VWI members are encouraged to contact their AOA state affiliate executive director to find out if their state participates in the program.

“The relationship formed today with VisionWeb assures a long-term business strategy on the part of both companies to create a win for both entities, all VWI member accounts, state associations endorsing VWI, and the American Optometric Association,” said Joseph C. Mallinger, OD, MBA, FAAO, and president of VWI. “VWI strives continuously to bring the very best technology to our member accounts.”

VWI and VisionWeb will launch their first promotion to VWI members later this summer. Accounts will receive incentives for ordering to multiple VWI-approved suppliers using VisionWeb’s ordering service or integrated practice management systems.

Vision West Inc. (VWI), headquartered in Oceanside, Calif., is a leading purchasing group. The company is officially endorsed as the preferred buying group of the California Optometric Association, as well as state associations in Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and other vision care groups in the U.S.