FAQs

DispensingPlatform (DP) is a bespoke cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), GDPR-compliant software. The site simplifies prescription writing, orders, payments, labels and stock control, etc., to seamlessly remove errors and the more challenging aspects of dispensing. Herbal medicine has different formats and traditions, and DP can support retail and clinic settings, liquids or solids, and up to three prescription portions per day. The Chinese medicine version gives access to an adaptable database of over 80 formulas in addition to the standard 'formula builder'.

The DispensingPlatform software is designed for two types of users: clinics with one or more practitioners who dispense herbal medicine directly to their patients, and large retail dispensaries or clinic groups that fulfil multiple practitioners’ herbal orders. The software can accommodate solids (raw herbs, powders or FCG) or liquid tinctures and can calculate raw herb weights based on ratios. Herbalists practice in a range of styles, and we've designed intuitive frameworks to match them.

The Prices page explains the monthly fees, which have low thresholds and rise with dispensary sales, as we feel this is fair and encourages growth. The package includes security, hosting and internet servers.

We have videos and a brochure in the Features tab to explain how the site dashboard functions. To see the Admin (back-end) side of the site, please contact us, and we'll arrange an online meeting to show you how it all works.

Our bespoke Audit Log tracks clients' use of the site, making it easy for retail dispensaries to quickly identify and resolve problems should they arise. If that's not sufficient, we're on hand to resolve problems and handle server updates.

Our engineers manage all site updates, as most of the site software is bespoke or the plug-ins have been specifically adapted for DP.

You need to choose a dispensary option, decide whether to use an existing domain or create a new one (usually easier for us and may cost you less), and provide an email address for order notifications. Setting up a payment account (Stripe) is essential, but pretty simple, and we can help sort out the domain and email for you. If you want your existing website to be the front of your DP one, we can do that (if it's on WordPress), keeping all the features and saving you hosting fees.   You need to provide a list of herbs, their prices, ratios, etc. for the dispensary (we can bulk upload and match them to our herb codes). You can add products to your shop later; it's pretty simple.

We’ll create a WordPress hosting for the site, link it to your domain, load the DP software and share access via Cloudflare. We'll integrate your email and payment account so your clients can be contacted and pay for their orders. We then test the email, payment links and list of herbs, etc., to make sure everything works. Your platform then stores your formulas and orders, takes payments and removes an array of time-consuming and tedious tasks for you!

Branding and personalising retail and clinic dispensaries and clinics is possible, with the branded site front serving as the new public point of contact. The dashboard or Admin areas where you manage orders are available to access at any time.

Setup times vary depending on client needs and how well their business is aligned for the setup. The introductory offers can be created in a few days; the key issues are a domain, a working email, creating a payment link and how much branding is required. Reach out and ask, and we'll give you an answer as quickly as possible.

There's a software licence agreement that allows you to use the software while safeguarding the owner’s (our) rights (don't copy, alter or misuse the software, etc., and payment terms).