MedSuite Product Brochure

• How secure is MedSuite?
• Can other people access our data?
• How often does the internet go down?
• Do we need a DSL or a T-1 or an ISDN or what?
• Can we use our existing PC's?
• Do we need a server for our Word and Excel documents, spreadsheets, Email, and accounting/payroll systems?
• There is some comfort-level having a server in our own office. Why don't you install a file server in our office?

General Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Product Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

MedSuite uses Advanced Encryption Standard or AES for short which is the latest in cryptography.  In June 2003, the U.S. Government organization National Security Agency (NSA) announced this encryption system was secure enough to protect classified information up to the Top Secret Level.  In contrast, most products that run on an internal network have no encryption which simply means that any person with access to your internal network can gain access to all of your data using simple tools found freely on the internet.  If you have wireless systems in your office, it is likely anyone can gain access to your internal network.  Using MedSuite, you insulate yourself from attacks both inside and outside of your office. 

Can other people access our data?
No.  Each customer has their own Microsoft SQL database which isolates them from all other customers.  Every user who logs into the system must know the database name and must sign in using a unique username and password which you control.  We also secure our servers so that only authorized MedSuite staff can gain access to them.  We take security very seriously and do not grant access to your data without your express permission.

In order to completely secure access to your data from unauthorized users, we have installed a state-of-the-art Watchguard Firewall which is certified to the ICSA Firewall Standards.
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How often does the internet go down?
A lengthy local internet outage rarely occurs. You are more likely to experience power outages that will affect your connectivity to the internet more than true internet outages.  Since MedSuite went on-line, the only outages experienced at the MedSuite Hosting Facility were pre-scheduled for preventive maintenance.  All of these scheduled maintenance functions occur during the "wee hours" of a weekend, causing no inconvenience to the Hosting Facility's customers.

Keep in mind that most government agencies, including Medicare and Medicaid, and banking institutions use the internet in their key business systems.  This includes many Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) and most new phone systems that use Voice Over IP (VOIP).  It is likely your phone system is already running over the internet.
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Do we need a DSL or a T-1 or an ISDN or what?
MedSuite was designed to run on the leanest of connections.  MedSuite can run over a 56k dial up connection with reasonable response time and will easily run dozens of people on a DSL or a T1 without performance issues.  Many of our customers run offices with business DSL with great success.
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Can we use our existing PC's?
To use MedSuite, you will need workstations running Windows 2000 or XP, 500mhz or faster processors, 128MB of RAM with at least 20MB of free disk space.  Any machine meeting this specification will run MedSuite with no problem at all.  Many of our customers choose to purchase new equipment.  The "low-end" workstations offered by vendors such as Dell or Gateway far exceed MedSuite hardware requirements at a minimal price.  However, many clients use existing hardware they currently own. 

Many clients need to run down an existing accounts receivable on a previous practice management system, and find it very convenient to simply download and install the MedSuite client on their existing PC's, and run both systems on the same workstation with no software conflicts or hardware changes or additional investment whatsoever.
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Do we need a server for our Word and Excel documents, spreadsheets, Email, and accounting/payroll systems?
MedSuite currently has systems that are an easy-to-use alternative to Word and Excel.  Documents created in our system are backed up and stored on our servers.  However, if you need to store and backup files outside of MedSuite, we recommend the company Xdrive that specializes in internet storage.  They allow you to share files and manage access across all locations even remote locations.

Many clients have existing file servers in their office for email, accounting software, payroll, documents, and spreadsheets, and choose to keep and maintain those servers.  However, because the MedSuite software is downloaded and installed on each workstation and the accounts receivable data is stored at our secured hosting facility, a server is not required for the practice management system and accounts receivable.  The choice is yours.
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There is some comfort-level having a server in our own office. Why don't you install a file server in our office?
Actually there should be more comfort in NOT having servers in your office.  Inside of  typical office environments, servers are susceptible to fire, theft, flood, and damage resulting from accidents.  Office space designed for people is  generally considered a harsh environment for a server due to heat and dust.  In most office based installations, there usually aren't good disaster recovery plans in the event of server malfunctions.  When was the last time you tested your tape backups to make sure you can restore data from them?  Do you ship your tapes to a storage facility away from your office?  It is estimated that 50% of the data backed up on tape will have an issue during a restore.

In contrast, our servers are secured in a hosting center that provides fire suppression, a dust free air conditioned environment, and is protected by security guards 24 hours 7 days a week.   Your data is backed up offsite using the famed Iron Mountain storage network.  Additionally, professional administrators and engineers monitor the servers for reliability and performance, perform upgrades, and maintain disaster recovery plans.  Using MedSuite, you no longer have to swap tapes and send them away for safe keeping.   You can feel secure in the knowledge that your servers are protected by state-of-the-art security, monitored by professionals, and that a stringent disaster recovery plan has been implemented.
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