Server Solutions
RxWorks 2008 R2 Server Load
RxWorks 2008 R2 Server Load
No software can be effective without a stable platform on which to
work. In the RxWorks environment the platform is the server and
network. We continue to develop our server loads parallel with RxWorks
software. The goal is to make sure we have the reliability needed to
keep our clients’ systems working effectively.
The Most Reliable Server Load to Date
Nobody wants support concerns over a server that is poorly configured. To answer the problem, we have made substantial investments in building our new server load. This is called RxWorks 2008 R2 Server Load.
It brings two main benefits:
- A proven, reliable computer network infrastructure
- A standard build that is familiar to our global support team. Knowing the setup of our server load greatly reduces the time taken to resolve support requests.
The RxWorks 2008 R2 Load has been built to make best use Microsoft’s powerful SQL Server and Server 2008 R2. We also listened to feedback from our clients and built features to meet their needs.
RxWorks 2008 R2 Server Load comes with improved functionality
Functions that have been improved in the RxWorks 2008R2 Server Load fall into four main areas. They are:
1. Self-Sufficiency for our clients
Feedback told us that our clients want to carry out the more common server management tasks themselves. They include:
- Adding, editing and deleting user profiles.
- Adding printers.
Giving users this ability avoids delays and costs linked to RxWorks Support doing the work. We now have a Server Toolkit program that takes away the technical aspects needed to perform this work.
2. Faster, managed printing with the Document Server
Previous RxWorks Server Loads used the server to control printing. In some instances, this created a heavy burden on the server and slowed the printing of documents.
Printing is now managed through the Secure Print and Recovery Console (SPRC). This is done by a newly developed program called ‘The Document Server.’ As the SPRC has a much lighter processing load than the main server, it has the effect of speeding up printing.
It also has a significant side benefit. You are able to reduce the minimum number of Microsoft Office licenses you need to run RxWorks. You can substantially lower your costs for Microsoft licensing.
Check with your RxWorks Practice Advisor to determine the effect on your costs.
3. Improved backup performance
RxWorks has used the capabilities of SQL Server to expand the backup functions. Our goal is to make one of the most valuable assets of your practice safer. We also wanted to make the recovery process easier in the event of a server failure.
In the past, database backups were done once a day, normally during off-peak hours. There was also the ability to use a backup computer as a stand-in while the main server was not available. This meant, in a worst-case scenario, you may have had to re-enter a whole day’s activity. This daily backup method is used by most other software vendors.
In the new server load, we still incorporate a daily backup to an external Hard Drive which is taken off-site. In addition, we also create a “virtual server” on the Secure Print and Recovery Console. Using a pre-set schedule, RxWorks makes regular copies of all information on the virtual server. The new backup does not affect network speeds and processing. We have gone even further by making the virtual server capable of supporting multiple terminals. You can now have more than one computer to work with while the server is down.
4. Using E-Mail with the new RxWorks Server load
Previously, RxWorks Server Loads included an email server. In order to make sure it was secure we had to restrict access to several functions. The result was additional support to practices and fees for service.
Feedback from our clients showed that they want the ability to manage email accounts themselves. Initially, we suggested using Microsoft Outlook with the clinics’ ISP email accounts. This gave our clients the access they needed but introduced a number of security problems.
Due to these complications, RxWorks has now removed the email server from our server load.
Email and SMS are still working components of RxWorks. New features have been built to ensure this important functionality is available, but with improved security.
Our clients are free to choose their own email provider. However, we do recommend Gmail for Organizations, as it is inexpensive and easy to maintain.
What Next?
To find out more on the RxWorks 2008 R2 Server Load and what it can do for your practice, please contact your local RxWorks’ Practice Advisor.
Contact RxWorks.
