Choosing a Hosting Solution for Your Practice
When it comes to hosting your Electronic Medical Records, Practice Management, and/or Billing software solutions, you essentially have three options:
- Server-based
- Cloud-based
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
While all three options basically “do” the same thing, there are some very important differences between them. Here’s a basic breakdown of each service to help you decide which one is right for your practice.
| Server-based Services | Cloud-based Services – Typically Web Based | SaaS – Typically Agent Based |
| Located on-site | Located off-site | Located off-site |
| Hardware-based | Internet-based | Agent-based (remote access through cloud clients) |
| Large technical requirements (capacity to run Operating System, hold all data, provide data back-up, secure network, etc.) | Smaller technical requirements (“instant” connectivity) | Smaller technical requirements (need Internet connectivity) |
| Lengthy set-up for “go-live” | No set-up; “instant” connectivity | Minimal set-up for “go-live” |
| Maintenance upgrades (network, operating system, equipment) performed by an IT technician on-site | Maintenance upgrades performed automatically by hosting agent off-site | Maintenance upgrades performed automatically by hosting agent off-site |
| Must purchase software licenses for every user | Licensing built into monthly costs | Licensing built into monthly costs |
| Must replace/upgrade equipment every 5 years | Upgrades made automatically by hosting site | Upgrades made automatically by hosting site |
| Full compatibility with hardware, software, and operating systems | Compatibility based on site access requirements (typically browser related) | Compatibility based on connection agent |
| Buy outright ($$$$$) | Subscription / pay-per-use ($) | Subscription / pay-per-use ($) |
IT experts with your selected solution can provide more in-depth information on each of the three services and how they’ll integrate into your specific practice.
