ROIbase Release of Information

Release of Information Software

brought to you by

Creative Information Group

Contact: 760...379...8718

ABOUT ROIbase© Release of Information Software

Back in the 90's, Creative Information Group provided software design and implementation for one of the nation's largest medical record copy service companies. Needless to say, we were on the leading edge of release of information software development. With the advent of Windows, we continued to develop versions of release of information software for Windows based network implementations. When the other guys went to web-based technologies, we opted to continue developing Windows-based versions for networks.

Why not the Web? A comparison of Web vs. Client/Server below:

ASP/Web-Based System:

-If the internet is down, you have no access to your data.

-You can access the system from any PC anywhere that has internet access. For PHI, is that such a good thing?

-Your data is housed on a server remotely somewhere with a lot of other company's data.

-You are reliant on the vendor, their stability, and their staff, for access and security and performance and redundancy.

-The internet is your data's mode of transportation from your keyboard to the remote server, requiring that the most up-to-date security measures are implemented on the vendor server, as well as on your PC.

-Current internet browser based technologies tend to be less user friendly, requiring submission of an html form with a grouping of data that is validated in "batch" mode - hmmmm - reminds me of the old mainframe days.

Client/Server System:

-A network behind a good firewall makes attacks from the outside world difficult, requiring that your IT staff implements the most current firewall technology at the internet point of access to the network.

-Your local IT staff is responsible for access and security and network performance and redundancy.

-Distribution of upgrades to client PC's can be made simple by the software vendor, so this should be set up properly to minimize IT time requirements.

-Local network response time is typically significantly faster than internet response time.

-Network based software applications are by nature more user friendly, providing real-time response and field-level validation.

-Client/server systems lend themselves to the self-reliance of a facility.

Thoughts on RAC TrackExpress / Savannah Systems:

-Software built using the Visual Foxpro development platform is intended for a LAN environment, where the server resides on-premises. It is also functional in a WAN environment where secure VPN access has been configured for remote access to the network.

-The security of the relational database is reliant on the network security and firewall configuration, and does not require maintenance of an additional security level (i.e. SQL).

-These applications have built-in encryption logic for passwords.

-Distribution of upgrades to client machines is a simple process requiring little IT time. Upgrades are copied onto the server only by IT, and then the users run a desktop icon to download the new version when notified by the software.

-These applications can be run on Windows OS's from 98 thru Windows 7.

-If a facility is intending to move to an ASP/Web model in the near future, then RAC TrackExpress / Savannah Systems is probably not for them. However, if a facility has an existing on-premise network that will be around for the next 3-x years, meaning they are running client/server systems already, then it IS for them.

-There is no stopping technology! Eventually, healthcare facilities will transition to ASP models as software companies either totally rewrite their client/server applications, or stick an ASP front-end system on to their "old dog" backend (i.e. Quadramed) so they can compete. However, this is not going to happen tomorrow, there is still a lot of client/server software out there, and these networks still have a life that has to be costed out and utilized before transitioning.

	*Release of Information Software* brought to you by *Creative Information Group* *Contact: 760...379...8718*

ABOUT ROIbase© Release of Information Software Back in the 90's, Creative Information Group provided software design and implementation for one of the nation's largest medical record copy service companies. Needless to say, we were on the leading edge of release of information software development. With the advent of Windows, we continued to develop versions of release of information software for Windows based network implementations. When the other guys went to web-based technologies, we opted to continue developing Windows-based versions for networks. Why not the Web? A comparison of Web vs. Client/Server below: ASP/Web-Based System: -If the internet is down, you have no access to your data. -You can access the system from any PC anywhere that has internet access. For PHI, is that such a good thing? -Your data is housed on a server remotely somewhere with a lot of other company's data. -You are reliant on the vendor, their stability, and their staff, for access and security and performance and redundancy. -The internet is your data's mode of transportation from your keyboard to the remote server, requiring that the most up-to-date security measures are implemented on the vendor server, as well as on your PC. -Current internet browser based technologies tend to be less user friendly, requiring submission of an html form with a grouping of data that is validated in "batch" mode - hmmmm - reminds me of the old mainframe days. Client/Server System: -A network behind a good firewall makes attacks from the outside world difficult, requiring that your IT staff implements the most current firewall technology at the internet point of access to the network. -Your local IT staff is responsible for access and security and network performance and redundancy. -Distribution of upgrades to client PC's can be made simple by the software vendor, so this should be set up properly to minimize IT time requirements. -Local network response time is typically significantly faster than internet response time. -Network based software applications are by nature more user friendly, providing real-time response and field-level validation. -Client/server systems lend themselves to the self-reliance of a facility. Thoughts on RAC TrackExpress / Savannah Systems: -Software built using the Visual Foxpro development platform is intended for a LAN environment, where the server resides on-premises. It is also functional in a WAN environment where secure VPN access has been configured for remote access to the network. -The security of the relational database is reliant on the network security and firewall configuration, and does not require maintenance of an additional security level (i.e. SQL). -These applications have built-in encryption logic for passwords. -Distribution of upgrades to client machines is a simple process requiring little IT time. Upgrades are copied onto the server only by IT, and then the users run a desktop icon to download the new version when notified by the software. -These applications can be run on Windows OS's from 98 thru Windows 7. -If a facility is intending to move to an ASP/Web model in the near future, then RAC TrackExpress / Savannah Systems is probably not for them. However, if a facility has an existing on-premise network that will be around for the next 3-x years, meaning they are running client/server systems already, then it IS for them. -There is no stopping technology! Eventually, healthcare facilities will transition to ASP models as software companies either totally rewrite their client/server applications, or stick an ASP front-end system on to their "old dog" backend (i.e. Quadramed) so they can compete. However, this is not going to happen tomorrow, there is still a lot of client/server software out there, and these networks still have a life that has to be costed out and utilized before transitioning.