Cloud-based Hospital Management Software VS On-Premise – What to opt?
July 23, 2020When it comes to hospital management software (HMS) software for your hospital or clinics, there are many diverse solutions. Some leverage Cloud Computing while others are run locally on the hospital premises. Which one provides, what advantages, is the question.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world by surprise, it has increased pressure on the medical fraternity exponentially. To focus on the core idea of healthcare institutions i.e. patient care, it becomes imperative for them to deploy software that will reduce the workload.
While you consider bringing an Hospital management software onboard, it can be a struggle to choose from the Cloud-Based or On-Premise Hospital Management deployment environments. In order to bring the best system that can help in improving the efficiency of work and fulfills the other objectives as well, it is important to understand the pros and cons of the two.
An in-depth difference between Cloud-Based and On-Premise Hospital management system:
Cloud-based vs on-premise Hospital software
Overview
Cloud-based HMS software
This type of deployment environment hosts the data on the cloud which is accessible to all the users via the internet. It is ubiquitously more popular due to its user-friendliness. It is easy to install and easier to use.
Cloud-based systems are backed by premium security data centres, such as Cloudflare cloud security, AWS cloud security, et al.
On-Premise Hospital Management System
The data in this type of system is stored within the physical confines of the organization i.e. your website. The management of this server can be outsourced or can also remain the responsibility of the administration.
If the internet goes down, this data can still be accessed.
Enlisted are the various tasks where the management can seek support from HMS software:
- To manage the extensive database containing patient and staff details.
- To ensure the highest levels of security of the data.
- To enable effective access to data from anywhere.
- To implement a solution that can streamline the workflow
- To ensure a flexible solution that can be easily updated.
- To have a user-friendly interface.
- To discover a solution that minimizes the burden of the administration.
- To easily access data and history.
- To manage the inventory.
Architectural Model
Cloud-based are internet-based and on-demand network access systems. Databases, system software, and other components are engineered to suit the requirement of the management. There are public, private, and hybrid clouds.
Public cloud can be accessed by multiple organizations using the same network devices and hardware. Private Cloud networks are owned by third-party service providers for dedicated servers.
Hybrid clouds, like the name, suggests has the functionality of both public and private clouds i.e. some components can be accessed from a public cloud while others are private,
On-premise or client-server hospital software systems are completely managed in-house and are also hosted locally. A dedicated IT team is required to maintain this type of architecture.
Also Read: Things that have been missed in healthcare IT in Covid-19
Accessibility of Data
Cloud-based Hospital software provides you access anywhere, anytime. There is the flexibility of work, and the data is not limited by a physical server. Considering the home-based style of work, that is prevalent during Coronavirus, ‘cloud-based’ solutions become the perfect fit.
On-premise HMS systems can only be accessed from within the medical institution. Therefore it is limited by a physical location. Using backup services, the data can be utilized anywhere.
Safety and Security of the data:
In the medical industry, a slight mishandling of the data can have major consequences. Patient information and medical records have to be contained with the highest order of caution. Hence, the software storing such sensitive data should enable the same order of security.
As discussed, there are multiple cloud security vendors who utilize robust means to ensure the safety of information. Irrespective of the general consensus dictates that such a system is less secure than on-premise, it is commonly adopted globally.
When it comes to security, on-premise systems have both pros and cons. It has to be managed by the internal IT team and will keep them busy throughout. The likelihood of this software being hacked is very less.
Updating and maintaining the software:
Cloud-based Hospital software is maintained by specialized healthcare IT firms, enabling ease in usage. The maintenance and update are much easier compared to any other. The software update for this is automated, leaving lesser work for the hospital staff.
On-premise deployments are hard to maintain considering everything is in-house, from maintenance to repair.
SoftClinic HMS and EHR
SoftClinic Hospital Management Software is available in both the Cloud and On-Premise versions, enabling you to choose the right fit with technical freedom. For a growing number of hospitals, the cloud version is observing fast adoption due to ease-of-use.
Features of Cloud and On-Premise Solutions
- Online Appointment System
- Mobile App Access for Physicians
- HIPAA compliant cloud backup
- Fingerprint scan Identification System
- Barcoded Reporting System
Conclusion
There are other options as well, besides the two, however, these are the most popular within the industry.
It’s time to move ahead, faster than ever before. The administration has to evaluate the needs in hospital management and choose the software that perfectly fits the same. Cloud-based Hospital Management System is a valid solution if the main requirement is the accessibility of data and convenience in maintenance. On the other hand, on-premise solutions are for tech-savvy users.