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MOST COMMON QUESTIONS

Welcome to the FocalPoints Q&A page. The page is divided into three sections: Popular Questions, covering general inquiries; Hardware & Software Questions, detailing hardware and software requirements; and Designing & Licensing Questions, focusing on design capabilities and licensing terms. If you need further assistance, please contact our support team.


POPULAR QUESTIONS

Why is FocalPoints a premium software?

FocalPoints is equipped with advanced features such as comprehensive design capabilities, seamless integration with precision lathes, and extensive customization options. These functionalities enable superior efficiency and precision in contact lens manufacturing, providing exceptional value.

What are the long-term benefits of FocalPoints?

Investing in FocalPoints offers significant long-term benefits including increased production efficiency, reduced errors, enhanced product quality, and higher profitability. Our software is constantly updated based on industry needs, ensuring that you stay at the forefront of innovation. Additionally, you'll have access to our design licensing platform and enjoy resilience to new technologies and equipment.

Do you offer any flexible financing?

Yes, we divide the installation cost into manageable installments, and our annual Maintenance plan covers free updates and support hours tailored to your system, ensuring continuous value and support.

Can FocalPoints work with other systems?

Yes, FocalPoints is designed for seamless integration with a wide range of lathes and equipment typically used in the industry. For the latest information, please refer to our integrations page.

Are there hidden costs within FocalPoints?

No, our pricing is fully transparent with no hidden costs. Any additional fees for optional modules or services outside the Maintenance plan are clearly communicated upfront. All expenses are quoted beforehand to ensure clarity. FocalPoints includes a lifetime unlimited license for on-premises use, and when upgrading, the original purchase price is fully discounted. Special features are clearly detailed and only charged when utilized, ensuring you only pay for what you need.

What support do you offer for new users?

We provide comprehensive support and training programs for new users, including onboarding assistance, reference manual, online video tutorials, and dedicated customer support to ensure a smooth transition and effective use of the software.




HARDWARE/SOFTWARE QUESTIONS

What are the installation requirements?

FocalPoints works under Windows. Any modern PC will run FocalPoints efficiently without any problems. The software has been tested running from Windows 7 to Windows 11. The Database is centralized, any number of Lathes or Instruments can be added to the Lab in a Client/Server architecture. All FP Modules access the centralized Database allowing an easy retrieval of all the information related to a single Job Order. In case you have lathes still running under DOS, please ask for more information.

What are the suggested hardware specs?

For optimal performance, it’s recommended to use an Intel Core i7 processor, though an Intel Core i5 or equivalent will suffice. The system should have at least 8 GB of RAM, and 16 GB for handling intensive design and simulation tasks typical of FocalPoints Designer. Storage-wise, a minimum of 500 GB HDD is necessary, but an SSD is preferred for faster data processing. As for the display, a Full HD resolution (1920x1080) monitor is recommended, though lower resolutions like 1024x768 can work when using older machinery.

What barcode format is required?

FocalPoints operates on a “One Barcode” input architecture, enabling most production tasks to be executed via barcode scanning. The system requires a USB barcode scanner that supports the standard Code 39 format, ensuring compatibility and efficiency in streamlining the manufacturing workflow.

Are modules limited by a license?

FP is modular system, apart from the FP Designer and the Launch in Production which have limited licenses, all the other modules can be installed without limitations.

What are the compatible Lathe brands?

We are fully integrated with AMETEK, DAC, REM VT and SCHNEIDER OM lathes. It's always best to verify the exact model of each manufacturer to ensure full compatibility. In some cases a Software Update by the Lathe manufacturer may be required.

Is there a limit on the Lathes' number?

No, there is no limit on the number of Lathes that can be connected to a FocalPoints system. Multiple Lathe brands can also coexist in the same manufacturing system.

Can I add specific modules to my system?

Yes, FocalPoints operates as an highly adaptable modular system. Seamlessly incorporating specialised modules is both straightforward and effortless. Each software edition can be enhanced and tailored to the customer's need by adding specific modules like the Laser Engraving, the Autoloader Management, the MFG Live Dashboard and many more.

Are there modules for Lens Inspection?

Yes, we are now fully integrated the Rotlex Brass 2000, the Rotlex ConTest, the Lambda-X NIMO and the Optimec Systems is830, Optocraft cito-prio and others. The Operator can easily perform both the qualitative and quantitative inspection, by seeing on screen the lens details, the target value for the inspected parameters and their tolerance ranges. If any of the checks fail, the Operator can mark the lens as a reject right away without the need to use other software. Each instrument integration is available a separate option. For the latest information, please refer to our integrations page.

Can I connect with an external ERP?

Yes, if a Lab has its own ordering system and prefers to use FocalPoints only for manufacturing, the XML Order Import module can import in a few seconds the data generated by the Lab’s existing ERP software, thus generating automatically an order in FocalPoints.

Is a Maintenance plan included?

Yes, the Maintenance plan is included as an annual fee and allows us to provide assistance quickly when needed, giving the customer the opportunity to keep the software updated at a fraction of the cost of a normal update. If a Customer doesn’t want to subscribe to it, we will have to quote Update and Support Time on a case-by-case basis. If a Customer opts-out from the Maintenance Plan it may no longer be re-activated.

Can FocalPoints connect to DOS Lathes?

Yes, connecting to legacy DOS lathes is feasible, and we are proud to be one of the few software companies that still maintain compatibility with such machines, even though their original manufacturers no longer support them. However, there are certain limitations to consider. For example, these setups may require the use of outdated operating systems like Windows XP or Windows Server 2003, which are no longer available or supported. While this is not an immediate concern, it’s important to note that in the long term, we cannot guarantee the ability to back-port future innovations to these machines.

Is FocalPoints cloud based?

No, FocalPoints must be installed on premises and on the same network of the Lathes.




DESIGNING/LICENSING QUESTIONS

Does Designer include pre-loaded designs?

No, FocalPoints does not provide pre-loaded designs, but gives the freedom to you to create your own designs, whether for corneal, scleral, Ortho-K or soft or hybrid RGP lenses. The designs can be symmetric, toric, quadrant or free-form, either spherical or aspherical.

Does it have simulation/testing tools?

Yes, FocalPoints aims to accelerate CL design development via advanced simulation tools. Previously, designers had to cut many samples to verify lens geometry, leading to high costs due to trial and error. FocalPoints' extensive Simulation Testing tools reduce development times with virtual analysis tools, speeding up research and design cycles and allowing more time for creating real solutions.

What are Special Features?

Special Features are proprietary FocalPoints options and functionalities that are designed to simplify and expedite the work of lens designers. They are exclusive to FocalPoints and offer significant advantages over traditional methods by providing lens designers with powerful tools that speed up their workflow and eliminate the need for complex calculations. A comprehensive list of Special Features can be found here.

Are Special Features subject to Royalty?

Yes, Special Features in FocalPoints are subject to a royalty. By utilizing these advanced features, lens designers gain access to a set of possibilities that would typically require extensive time and effort to achieve, or may even be impossible to attain without the aid of FocalPoints. These features allow lens designers to achieve outstanding results in a fraction of the time it would take using conventional methods.

Do all lenses incur royalties?

No, only manufactured lenses making use of FocalPoints Special Features are subject to royalty.

Can I license my designs to another Lab?

FocalPoints enables the secure distribution of contact lens designs to other FocalPoints users through the optional Design Owner Toolkit module. This module allows the Design Owner to set license durations and control access to specific design elements for Licensees. It assigns a unique Owner Code to ensure protection and manages license issuance to the Manufacturing Lab. Additionally, we offer robust reporting tools for enhanced management.

Is a design owner agreement required?

Yes, the Manufacturing Lab should find an agreement with the Design Owner to obtain a license of its designs. Advance Medical has no direct role in these negotiations, as we only provide the technical means to operate and maintain the licensing platform.

Can I manufacture only third-party lenses?

Yes, the FocalPoints MFG Only edition gives the Lab the option of producing only third-party designs under license. In this case, it will be up to the Lab (the Licensee) to make arrangements directly with the owner of the CL design (the Licensor).

What happens when I upgrade my system?

Being FocalPoints a modular system the upgrade process is straightforward and generally has little impact on operations. At any time the system can be upgraded and we will discount what originally paid from the new quotation.

Do you provide training for the software?

Yes, we offer training for our software. During the installation phase, we provide comprehensive training sessions to help get the Lab up and running. In addition to the initial training, we can provide further training sessions upon request. Check the Training page for more details.

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