--- title: What's the difference? Embedded, IDA, and SPEX description: "In this post, we will explain what it means when Frames Data is \"Embedded\", as well as what you should expect from Frames Data IDA and Frames Data SPEX UPC." image: https://blog.framesdata.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/iStock_75311113_XLARGE.png --- [![Blog Logo 2.png](https://blog.framesdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Frames%20Data%20Logos/Blog%20Logo%202.png?width=797&name=Blog%20Logo%202.png "Blog Logo 2.png")](https://blog.framesdata.com) - [Home](https://blog.framesdata.com) - [About Us](https://info.framesdata.com/about-us) - [Contact Us](http://www.framesdata.com/support/contact-us) - [Technical Support](http://www.framesdata.com/support) [![Go to FramesData.com](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2250177/310caf41-5139-4b07-85fa-778e6c9ea9d7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2250177/310caf41-5139-4b07-85fa-778e6c9ea9d7) Search Content Title Description < Previous page Next page > Subscribe ### Subscribe to Email Updates Select Topics - [Frame Brands (167)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/frame-brands) - [News, Events, and More (161)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/news-events-and-more) - [My Frame Gallery (109)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/my-frame-gallery) - [Using Frames Data (106)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/using-frames-data) - [Optical Marketing (19)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/optical-marketing) - [My Frame Gallery Practice Profiles (15)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/my-frame-gallery-practice-profiles) - [My Frame Gallery Best Practices (13)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/my-frame-gallery-best-practices) - [My Frame Gallery Set-Up (10)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/my-frame-gallery-set-up) - [OfficeMate (6)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/officemate) - [Inventory (3)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/inventory) - [Videos (3)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/videos) # Latest Blog Post ## What's the difference? Embedded, IDA, and SPEX ![Tom Doyle](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/847f3e676cf131b483c37cecdaac7120) by [Tom Doyle](https://blog.framesdata.com/author/tom-doyle) on November 13, 2019 at 11:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) - - - Your experience using Frames Data will depend on the Frames Data product you subscribe to. And the best product for you is greatly dependent on what practice management software you have. To see a full list of all the software providers that Frames Data integrates with, click [here](https://www.framesdata.com/products/integrations). In this post, we will explain what it means when Frames Data is "Embedded", as well as what you should expect from Frames Data IDA and Frames Data SPEX UPC. [![Frames Data](https://blog.framesdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/iStock_75311113_XLARGE.png?width=471&height=314&name=iStock_75311113_XLARGE.png)](https://blog.framesdata.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/iStock_75311113_XLARGE.png) --- ### **Embedded:** If your practice management software package has Frames Data embedded, you'll be able to use our entire database at no additional cost because it is already part of your EHR/PM subscription fees. Your software vendor has a direct partnership with Frames Data, allowing our frame information to populate the software automatically.  **Your software vendor does all the updating work for you!** Our embedded partner is [Uprise](http://www.startyouruprise.com/).   ### **Frames Data IDA:** Frames Data IDA delivers updated frame information to your software via a web service that we update daily. You can check for updates every day if you want to - no need to wait for a monthly disc or download! Your software gets all new information straight from the Cloud. When you subscribe to Frames Data IDA, you will create a **Frames Data Username.**  Your software will have a place for you to enter that Username.   Once you've done that, the software sends the username (as well as some additional identifying info such as zip code) to Frames Data via the internet. Frames Data will then verify that the subscription is active and grant access to the database.   **This is an automated process that happens in the background instantaneously!** You may need to tell your software when you want to update, but in general the process should be relatively quick and easy.  Check with your software provider for full instructions on how to update. Frames Data IDA works exclusively with the following software: |   | - [Acuitas](http://www.ocuco.com/) | - [OD Online](http://www.odonline.net/) | | --- | --- | --- | |   | - [EyefinityPM](https://www.eyefinity.com/practice-management/eyefinity-practice-management.html)\* | - [Optik by NextGen](https://www.nextgen.com/specialty/surgical/ophthalmology) | |   | - [FlexScanMD](http://www.flexscanmd.com/) | - [RevolutionEHR](https://www.revolutionehr.com/)\*\* | |   | - [iDoc by iMedicWare Inc.](https://eyecareleaders.com/solutions/mycare-imedicware/) | - [The Visual Management System](https://www.msgroupsoftware.com/index.php/eyecare) | |   | - [My Vision Express](http://www.myvisionexpress.com/) | - [Wink](http://downloadwink.com/) |   \*EyefinityPM requires the [IDA-Eyefinity Practice Management Edition](https://subscribe.framesdata.com/IDA/?f=EPMNEW0119&s=WEYEFINIPM) \*\*RevolutionEHR requires the [IDA-RevolutionEHR Edition](https://subscribe.framesdata.com/IDA/?f=revnew0519)   ### **Frames Data SPEX UPC:** Frames Data SPEX UPC provides you with **a monthly update via a disc in the mail or a digital download** you can get on Frames Data Online. Use this update to pull the latest frame information directly into your practice management software and keep your inventory in tip-top shape. If possible, we suggest you use the download simply because it will always be fresher, more recent data than the disc.  After all, we have to create and mail the disc to you which is a much longer process!  **The download will always provide you with more recent information than the disc**.  Check out [this post](http://resources.framesdata.com/2015/05/18/wheres-the-download-button-for-spex-on-demand/) to find the download button. That said, if you are more comfortable using the disc, that's fine too!  Each software works somewhat differently and you may find it simpler to continue with the disc. Frames Data SPEX UPC works with a number of EHR and PM systems, including [Compulink](http://www.compulinkadvantage.com/),[Crystal PM](http://crystalpm.com/), and [OfficeMate](https://www.officemate.net/). For a full list, please click [here](http://www.framesdata.com/products/retailers.aspx). ## Leave a comment ![Tom Doyle](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/847f3e676cf131b483c37cecdaac7120) Written by [Tom Doyle](https://blog.framesdata.com/author/tom-doyle) Tom Doyle is Frames Data’s Director of Marketing & Key Accounts, and has been working as a marketer within the optical industry for over 10 years. In that time he’s worked with many software companies on new integrations, and has developed an understanding of what works and what doesn’t. Tom is also keenly interested in productivity methodology, the color orange used in marketing, and karaoke. He is also a die-hard cat person. Written by Author ### Related posts [![3 Videos that explain the value of Frames Data](https://blog.framesdata.com/hubfs/people%20vid%20thumb-1.png)](https://blog.framesdata.com/3-videos-that-explain-the-value-of-frames-data) ##### [3 Videos that explain the value of Frames Data](https://blog.framesdata.com/3-videos-that-explain-the-value-of-frames-data) These videos explain how different optical industry stakeholders use Frames Data to improve their businesses. Video #1: How... ![Tom Doyle](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/847f3e676cf131b483c37cecdaac7120) By [Tom Doyle](https://blog.framesdata.com/3-videos-that-explain-the-value-of-frames-data/author/tom-doyle) - March 5, 2025 [Read More](https://blog.framesdata.com/3-videos-that-explain-the-value-of-frames-data) [![How to report missing or inaccurate frames](https://blog.framesdata.com/hubfs/how%20to%20report%20missing%20frames.png)](https://blog.framesdata.com/how-to-report-missing-or-inaccurate-frames) ##### [How to report missing or inaccurate frames](https://blog.framesdata.com/how-to-report-missing-or-inaccurate-frames) Are we missing a frame company, brand, or style? Use our online form to alert us. We'll confirm with the frame company and... ![Tom Doyle](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/847f3e676cf131b483c37cecdaac7120) By [Tom Doyle](https://blog.framesdata.com/how-to-report-missing-or-inaccurate-frames/author/tom-doyle) - September 15, 2024 [Read More](https://blog.framesdata.com/how-to-report-missing-or-inaccurate-frames) [![Help! I can't find this frame in my software!](https://blog.framesdata.com/hubfs/I%20cant%20find%20this%20frame!-png.png)](https://blog.framesdata.com/help-i-cant-find-this-frame-in-my-software) ##### [Help! I can't find this frame in my software!](https://blog.framesdata.com/help-i-cant-find-this-frame-in-my-software) Are you loading Frames Data into a third party software, but finding that there are frames missing?  Let's troubleshoot! ... ![Tom Doyle](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/847f3e676cf131b483c37cecdaac7120) By [Tom Doyle](https://blog.framesdata.com/help-i-cant-find-this-frame-in-my-software/author/tom-doyle) - September 13, 2024 [Read More](https://blog.framesdata.com/help-i-cant-find-this-frame-in-my-software) #### Contact Frames Data has provided frame information to eye care professionals since 1968. Includes styles from major frame companies, including **Marchon, Luxottica, Safilo, Marcolin, Tura, Oakley, ProDesign, Europa, Morel, Kenmark, McGee, ClearVision** and many, many more. Software integrations include OfficeMate, CrystalPM, MaximEyes, My Vision Express, Compulink and dozens more. 283-299 Market Street 2 Gateway Center, 4th Floor Newark NJ 07102 Technical Support: 1-800-821-6069 Ext. 1 [techsupport@jobson.com](mailto:techsupport@jobson.com) #### Site map - [Home](https://blog.framesdata.com) - [About Us](https://info.framesdata.com/about-us) - [Contact Us](http://www.framesdata.com/support/contact-us) - [Technical Support](http://www.framesdata.com/support) #### Subscribe to Our Newsletter ### Always be up-to-date with the latest from Frames Data. New frames, how-to posts, ways to manage your frame dispensary and more. Copyright © 2021 Frames Data. All rights reserved. - [Home](https://blog.framesdata.com) - [About Us](https://info.framesdata.com/about-us) - [Contact Us](http://www.framesdata.com/support/contact-us) - [Technical Support](http://www.framesdata.com/support)