NovaNet required?

We have to use it for updating Strip and QC lots the glucometers use.  We also use Telcor and cannot use the meters without Nova Net.  It has some useful features.  Cannot speak for the Prime machine as we don't have that here.  
Where are you hearing it is not required?  

We have used NOVA glucose meters for years with RALS and do not have Nova Net. NOVA has talked for several years that Nova Net was going to be needed, but when I ask NOVA and/or RALS, neither one of them can give any information.  We do not use the Prime.

We were also told by the Nova sales rep that we needed Nova Net, and we have it with RALS. However, I have also heard from more than one user that NovaNet is NOT necessary and if I were you, I would explore that before committing to it. Feel free to PM me for more info if you'd like.

I only use the StatStrip Glucose meters but there are some features of Novanet that you will not have if you just you a middleware. We have always used both Telcor and Novanet so I am not sure if Novanet is required but I personally would want Novanet.   In addition to setting pass/fail QC ranges in Novanet, Novanet allows you to configure different meter settings.  For instance, you can configure different comments that would be available to your staff to make after testing.  I have found there are lot of useful tools in Novanet that are available for me to help trouble shoot devices.  I can very easily see IP address for each device, if a device is docked, when it was undocked and other messages from a particular device all from my office computer.  Depending on how many of these devices are in your area, you might find this helpful too.  

I can perform all of the tasks that Laura mentions without Nova Net, but we use RALS so maybe the difference is between RALS and Telcor.  We use wireless communications. I would ask each side (middleware and NOVA) what the benefits of Nova Net are before spending the money.  Like I said before, NOVA has said since 2018 that Nova Net will be needed, but never gives me any reason why or a timeline.

All Nova meters can be used without the use of NovaNet, Nova states NovaNet is needed to send firmware updates to the Nova meters. However, prior to NovaNet, firmware updates were sent to the meters without the use of NovaNet. All device configurations, materials management, etc. can be managed without the use of NovaNet. Matter of fact, depending on your Point of Care middleware, the use of NovaNet and Point of Care middleware, may require duplicated efforts. Duplicated efforts such adding reportable comments in both systems, etc. 

I can only speak to RALS- you can use RALS exclusively until it is time to upgrade the firmware on the glucose meters (Nova no longer wishes to share that file with middle-ware vendors).  The only way to do so is to use NovaNet.  We have a NovaNet server installed but have only a few of our meters programmed for NovaNet.  The lion's share of our meters are still exclusively using RALS.

There has not been a reason to update to the newest firmware for all our in-use meters, so we have remained in RALS, and must maintain duplicative information in both systems.

Thank you for the responses.  We've confirmed that RALS can be used without NovaNet, but I don't believe we've heard whether Telcor requires NovaNet.  Anyone using Telcor without NovaNet?