Hey You, Get Off the Public Cloud
November 22, 2020
Choosing the right Medical Practice Management Software is a very importantdecision.
This is the very software that will take over your schedulingand organization of patient appointments. It’s how you will keep track of whichproviders are booked at what times and it’s how your billing cycle will be managed. Not to mention, you have a whole staff to keep track of, and they mostlikely need access to the same files as you do.
Medical Practice Management Software covers the most importantparts of your business. The software provider you choose can make or break the efficiency of your practice. That’s why there are quite a few technicalconsiderations to keep in mind when choosing the right software.
Read on to learn more about Medical Practice ManagementSoftware, Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, and the things you need to take intoconsideration before choosing a provider.
What is Medical PracticeManagement Software?
Medical Practice Management Software (MPMS) is a type ofhealthcare software that takes care of the day-to-day operations within amedical practice.
These day-to-day operations include medical billing, schedulingappointments, maintaining lists of insurance companies and private funding,generating reports, storing patient information and demographics, and otherforms of record keeping. The purpose of this type of software is to streamlineall of these tasks for a much more efficient workflow.
MPM software requires that you have a computer network and an internetconnection. It can be employed in three ways: as desktop-only software,client-server software, or internet-based software.
Desktop-only software is used on a singlecomputer which only a few people will have access to.
Client-server software allows multiple users toshare data and access to an on-site server. This server must be purchased orleased by the medical practice.
Internet-based software can be accessed by usersover the internet, more specifically, a remote server. This eliminates the needfor you to purchase or lease your own server. However, patient information willbe stored on a third-party server. Also known as: the cloud.
The days of purchasing server-based software that must beupgraded physically on each machine are over. It has become much more costeffective to employ a third-party cloud service provider.
What are the Benefits of aVirtual Desktop Infrastructure?
The term Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) refers to the access of a full operatingsystem environment remotely. This saves your practice time and resources as itallows company-wide access to greater computing power in a maintained network.
In addition, there are at least five important benefits ofswitching to a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure:
#1 Reduced Costs
Since the operating system on all the computers in your network will be hosted in one location, your maintenance costs will decrease. Your service provider will take on the responsibility of installing updates, security patches and applications. Better yet, they only have to perform these tasks once, rather than on each individual computer.
#2 Secured Data
VDI is a single server management system. This means that youwill receive unified cybersecurity measures for each machine on your network.This includes a managed firewall, antivirus software, e-mail security software,and managed backups.
#3 Simplified Troubleshooting
With VDI, you won't have to wait for a tech team to come to theoffice. All of your IT issues can be solved remotely, saving you time and money.There’s also the guaranteed redundancy for emergencies such as power outages.All of the hardware will be highly available to you for scaling as well.Whether you’re adding new users or need more RAM, your service provider caneasily help you scale up or down.
#4 Remote Access
Virtual desktops allow you and your employees to access yournetwork through multiple devices. This is a convenience for work that needs tobe done out of the office. Of course, with a medical practice, this can pose asecurity threat and remote access should be limited to vetted practitioners.
#5 Backup Capabilities
A centralized server can provide you with continuous backup thatyou can depend on. You can configure your backup in a way that all data issaved directly to a central server and then backed up on the cloud. In theevent of a disaster, retrieving your data will be that much more convenient.
Things to Consider with aVirtual Desktop Infrastructure
While a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure comes with a number of benefits,there are things to take into consideration when choosing the right serviceprovider for your medical practice.
You Need a Decent Internet Connection
You’re VDI won’t function properly with low-grade internet services. The last thing you want is your system to lag, especially when you’re running a medical practice where you may need patient information right away. You’ll need to have National Broadband Network (NBN) internet or better for your VDI to run smoothly.
You May Need Third-Party Software
While your company network may be centralized, some basicfunctions are not. Third-party service providers will integrate your networkwith the cloud, but not your necessary machines. This means you may need topurchase third-partysoftware for your scanning andprinting needs.
Don’t Forget About Storage
If they’re not provisioned properly, VDI can end up using agreat deal of storage. This is because Virtual Desktops contain a fulloperating system and applications, and so they need to be fine-tuned to yourspecific needs. This also means that you may need to purchase additionalstorage which will ultimately add to your costs.
Final Thoughts
Running your MPM Softwarethrough the cloud is a great way to streamline your practice. The less time youand your employees spend on tedious tasks, the more time you’ll have to focuson your patients.
All technology in theworkplace is heading towards third-party cloud service providers and virtualdesktops. But not all providers are created equal. It’s crucial to beprepared before implementing your VDI. If you choose your provider blindly, youwill most likely incur additional costs.
At Greenlight ITC wesupport stress-free IT solutions for all of your medical practice needs.
