Bp VIP.net Sunset 2027 (NZ)

Bp VIP.net will transition to maintenance mode on 31 December 2026. From that date, no further feature enhancements or new development will be undertaken.

All support for Bp VIP.net will conclude on 30 June 2027.

We have made the difficult decision to end development and support for Bp VIP.net. The product will enter Maintenance Mode on 31 December 2026, with support concluding and the service formally ending on 30 June 2027. From 31 December 2026, the program will only receive critical updates, however, support will still be available to you. 

From 30 June 2027, the product will no longer receive updates, improvements, or technical support, and any associated services will conclude.

Bp VIP.net has supported specialists for more than two decades. However, the age of the platform now places real limits on our ability to meet modern clinical and regulatory expectations, and to continue innovating in ways that support the future of healthcare.

We are also seeing rapid transformation across the specialist software landscape, with solutions becoming more purpose-built and better equipped to support the unique workflows of individual specialties. To ensure practices have access to technology that can evolve alongside their clinical, operational, and regulatory needs, we must concentrate our investment on platforms designed for long-term scalability, innovation, and adaptability.

With this in mind, we have made the difficult decision to transition Bp VIP.net to end of life 30 June 2027. We understand this represents a significant change, and we are committed to supporting every practice through the process.

We do not currently have specific recommendations for alternative Practice Management Software vendors in New Zealand. However, we will assist practices where possible as they explore suitable options.

We understand that moving to another Practice Management Software can be a challenging process, as different programs offer both positives and negatives. We recommend discussing with prospective vendors to understand how they may accommodate your requirements.

Users can continue to use the software; however, we recommend that you review the FAQ 'What happens if we are still using the software beyond 30 June 2027?' to understand the risks.

The experience will differ based on the Practice Management Software vendor, in some cases most information will populate over; however, we understand the highly customisable nature of Bp VIP.net may mean some information can’t.

Provided your environment meets the minimum system requirements, practices may continue using Bp VIP.net locally after migration, however, we recommend practices familiarise themselves with “What happens if we are still using Bp VIP.net beyond 30 June 2027?' and limit their use to view historic information.

Best Practice Recommends retaining your existing Bp VIP.net installation for several weeks to finalise any outstanding tasks that haven’t migrated and to allow users to reference information while becoming accustomed to the new system.

No. Practices will need to work with their IT provider regarding obtaining a backup of their data. Backups can be completed and obtained using the following knowledge base article: Back up the Bp VIP.net database. This can be supplied to your chosen Practice Management Software vendor to undertake any conversion activities.

Practices will need to engage their IT provider to obtain a .bak data export, which is a backup of the database. This file is typically provided to the new Practice Management Software vendor to support the migration process, where the data is extracted and reformatted so it can be imported into the new system.

NOTE  Images stored outside of the SQL database and exported letters will need to be backed up separately. If performing a data conversion, both will need to be provided to your new practice management software vendor.

From 1 July 2027 Bp VIP.net will no longer be supported. This means:

• No technical support will be available.
• No further updates, security patches, defect fixes or fee updates will be released.
• Hosted customer environments will be decommissioned and access will no longer be available.
• Integrations may no longer function, including Bp SMS, Proda (AU), ACC (NZ), Xero etc.

If you are intending to use Bp VIP.net beyond 30 June 2027, please let us know.

Yes, absolutely. You may choose to keep your existing installation for historical reference. Please note that this version will no longer be supported, and while it may continue to operate, Best Practice will not be able to provide assistance or guarantee ongoing functionality. We encourage you to use this in a ‘view only’ capacity.

NOTE  Practices will require a suitable SQL Server license to host their database.

From 1 July 2027, hosted environments will be shut down. Hosted customers will no longer be able to log into their Bp VIP.net hosted environment. Customers may retain a local installation for historical reference, but it will be unsupported, and Best Practice will not be responsible if Bp VIP.net ceases to function.

NOTE  Practices will require a suitable SQL Server license to host their database.

Once you transition, your hosted Bp VIP.net environment will be decommissioned. We will work with you to have a viewable copy of your data on a local system.

We will conduct regular follow-ups with customers regarding their transition plans and next steps. Offering guidance and support where we can, to help practices through this change, our support team will continue to be available for any queries and assistance.

We will be placing the product into maintenance mode on 31 December 2026. Meaning we’ll be limiting any further development work on the product such as new features until the sunset date on 30 June 2027. We will continue to provide regular fee updates and respond to critical issues until the product is sunset.

Yes, we understand some customers may have their Subscription which extends beyond their time with Bp VIP.net or beyond 30 June 2027. Once you confirm your plans and the date you’ll be leaving us, we will refund the Subscription for the remaining month’s left on your subscription. Reach out to sales@bpsoftware.net to organise this post ending your subscription.

Yes, we understand some customers may have their Subscription which extends beyond their time with Bp VIP.net or beyond 30 June 2027. Once you confirm your plans and the date you’ll be leaving us, we will refund the Subscription for the remaining month’s left on your subscription. Reach out to sales@bpsoftware.net to organise this post ending your subscription.

Our Bp Comms packs are used within Bp VIP.net and cannot be used outside of the Best Practice product for which they were issued. Practices with an excess of SMS credits prior to the announcement are encouraged to contact our Account Management team to discuss potential remedies. Any Bp Comms pack purchased beyond the retirement announcement will not qualify for any remedies.

This is not recommended as unsupported software poses risks.

If you choose to continue to use Bp VIP.net after 30 June 2027, we recommend:

• Where possible, isolate systems isolated from internet access.
• Maintain strong backups and encryption.
• Limit access to only essential users.
• Complete a system backup prior to undertaking any wider system updates as this may impact functionality within Bp VIP.net.

• Start evaluating alternative software options early; switching to another vendor takes time.
• Plan your migration timeline well before 30 June 2027.
• Build in time to transition to a new Practice Management Software vendor. This can help mitigate any impact on your day-to-day operations.

Though difficult to determine, the following could occur if you continue using Bp VIP.net beyond 30 June 2027:

• Increased risk of system downtime or errors
• Higher security risks (including data breaches)
• Lack of access to support
• Inability to meet compliance obligations for record-keeping and privacy.

Which ultimately affects customer confidence and business continuity.