In the mid-90's we witnessed the beginning of a shift from DOS-based medical systems to windows-based systems. As Windows 3.1 and then Windows 95 were released, offices and resellers slowly began accepting that this new operating system was not going away and that it needed to be embraced. Can you imagine where your business would be if you refused to accept that shift and you were still selling a DOS-based practice management system?

For years industry pundits have been predicting a similar shift from tradition in-office client/server systems to web-based systems.  The increase of the popularity of the internet and the accessibility of high-speed internet make this prediction more of a reality everyday.

As a reseller, it makes sense to have a web-based system as an alternative for your clients, if for nothing else to make sure that you are prepared as this industry trend continues to grow.

Web-based Applications

Web-based applications allow physician offices to access their management software without a few of the prohibitive costs associated with traditional server-based applications.  Overall costs for management, maintenance and hardware requirements — not to mention all the associated headaches — can be significantly lower with a Web-based solution. What’s more, generally speaking, web-based solutions include all software fees, training, and unlimited support, in the monthly subscription fees.

The “Citrix” model…

Some vendors (and even resellers) have tried to adjust to this industry trend by trying to offer the benefits of an ASP (application service providers), but they are really just wrapping up a traditional application and renting it to your clients through an interface — using the software in ways it may not have been intended. A true Web-native application is designed from the ground up to run securely and efficiently over the Internet, taking full advantage of the Web to maximize savings and time efficiency.

Web-based vs. Legacy Software

Following is a comparison of major items relating to both legacy software systems (commonly called the “client/server” model) and a Web-based system.

Legacy Systems (client/server)	Web-based
Server Hardware
Servers, storage, and backup systems.	No server or backup hardware needed.
Installation & Setup
Can interrupt office flow during work hours.  Generally is a process, including installation of database licenses, and installation of software on multiple workstations.	Simple deployment using Internet Explorer and a login and password.  No installation required.
Training
Usually is done on-site or at a training facility.  (Some resellers may have created their own way to facilitate on-line training.)	Your clients can be trained and can practice on their Web-based software from anywhere they have internet access, including home.

Software Upgrades/Updates
Annual paid upgrades and free updates require a reseller's time to install and test.  May interrupt office flow if installed during work hours.	Web-based systems make upgrades and updates simple.  Generally they are installed after hours while the reseller and client are asleep.
Timeliness of Upgrades/Updates
When it suits your vendor.  With traditional software, it’s costly to print and distribute upgrades and updates on CD. As a result, often minor bug nuisances are put off until the next major release.  Even smaller maintenance releases require downtime and installation on each machine.	Updates are usually made as customers and  resellers dictate, and as often as necessary.  Because Web-based systems allow for easy deployment of minor bug fixes almost as soon as they're found.  Resellers and clients don’t have to do anything to facilitate these.
Security
Can be a difficult proposition for a reseller in monitoring placement of back-ups, access to server room, competency of office staff, and security of data.	Web-based systems completely manage the security of data remotely.
Data backup and storage
In-office backup systems should be a daily task.  This requires a separate backup tape for each day and usually consumes up to an hour to complete (depending on the size of the database).  To ensure a quality backup, all staff must exit the system during the backup, incurring downtime. Then, your clients must take that backup off-site.  Plus, studies show that up to 40% of office backups are bad and are never verified.	Web-based systems remove the entire backup hassle from both you and your clients. They backup your client's data continuously throughout the day, and then restore the backup to ensure its integrity. Plus they generally keep an automatic secure update in an out-of-state location for disaster recovery.  What’s more, a good Web-based company will allow you to download a complete copy of your data at any time to make your own backups if needed.
Remote access
Requires several elements of technology installed in the practice.  You will also need to implement a HIPAA-ready security scheme that will protect your patient data during remote access.  And you may need a VPN or other special network solution. Plus, you can expect significantly reduced performance when accessing remotely.  Bottom line? High cost, high hassle.	Your clients can access their Web-based system from any PC with Internet access—home, hospital, or hotel room.
Multiple office support
Multiple office support can come at a very high price with server-based software. Besides secured, dedicated data lines, expensive networking and costly management, your clients face the ongoing headache of synching up data from various locations. The cost of redundant data entry alone can be overwhelming.	Web-based systems give you multiple office support automatically. Each location can share the same real-time data securely over a standard, inexpensive Internet connection. No special lines, no merging, no duplicates. And Web-based solutions generally offer a suite of special Central Billing tools to make managing multiple offices fairly simple.

 

It is hard to ignore the benefits of web-based systems for you and your clients AND, a good web-based medical software company will issue residual checks each month to its resellers, which continues to "pay out" even when you're spending time with your family, on-vacation, or golfing with friends.

 

-- Kevin Burdick, InvestMed, LLC   

 

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