When it comes to EHR technology, there are (2) options available in the healthcare market. For companies that only provide Cloud Based EHR, they will adamantly insist that Cloud Based EHR is a much better option compared to Server Based EHR. Is this the truth or simply a sales line from the EHR Company? What is the difference between EHR Cloud and EHR Server based systems. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of Cloud and Server Based EHR solutions.
First of all there is no actual Cloud where your EHR software is being hosted. Cloud is simply a way of saying the software is installed on another server somewhere outside of your clinic. The biggest benefit of Cloud EHR is the customer not having to purchase, install, upgrade and support their own in-house server. Upfront licenses fees are lower but monthly software support fees are higher as more services are provided.
Benefits of Cloud include the following:
- Hosting of the EHR software
- Daily backup of EHR data
- Daily offsite backup of EHR data
- Future software upgrades
- Technical software support for questions and answers
- (With Cloud computing there are several questions that need to be addressed)
- Where is your EHR data being stored?
- What safety precautions are in place to ensure the protection of EHR data?
- Is there a security guard onsite 24/7 at the physical data center?
- Is the equipment being used to operate and store the EHR software owned by the EHR Company or simply rented?
- If the equipment is rented, what guarantee does the customer have that only EHR software is being installed and operated on any particular server? What prevents other companies such as “Bob’s Plumbing Company” or “Ray’s Bar and Grill” from operating on the same server? In many situations this is the case as EHR companies are simply renting space to store and run their EHR software for customers. Could this be a potential liability for your clinic?
With Server Based EHR the customer purchases, installs and supports their own in-house server. The biggest advantage with EHR Server is not having to depend on the Internet to access the EHR software. Upfront licenses fees are higher but monthly software support fees are lower as fewer services are provided.
The monthly software support fees include the following:
- Future software upgrades
- Technical software support for questions and answers
As the leading U.S. provider of High Performance Electronic Health Records Solutions, MD Logic offers both Cloud and Server Based EHR software solutions. Our belief is that customers should have a choice in their EHR solution. To ensure our EHR Cloud based customers are secure, all equipment at the MD Logic data center is owned and operated by MD Logic, Inc. Only authorized MD Logic Cloud customers have access to the MD Logic Cloud network and data center.
To learn more about MD Logic Cloud and Server Based EHR technology, please contact our corporate headquarters today at 800-273-7750.