Hosted TouchChart Scan

This article will assume an MSO environment with each practice represented by its own TouchWorks organization and connected to the datacenter over the Internet.

When implementing scan, the MSO needs to decide whether to install the Scan client on local PCs or run the application via the Citrix server. There are pros and cons to both.

Local Installation

First, a benefit of installing the application locally is the reduced cost of not needing Citrix. On a busy network, it is strongly advised that the batch process be deployed to queue the scanned images and transmit them off hours or at a time when users are less likely to be impacted by the increased bandwidth usage. In most cases, an MSO practice does not have WAN or LAN connectivity to the servers. Because of this, a local installation of Touch Chart requires a VPN connection.

The negative factors of installing locally are that the speed and efficiency because of the bandwidth needed to run the application. If installing Scan locally on a network not managed by your organization, extra caution may be warranted as a SQL Server port will be open. This potentially exposes your server should the outside network or workstation be compromised.

Citrix

In terms of running Scan through a Citrix environment, productivity and speed are typically greater because the communication between the client and the server occurs over a LAN. Security can also be better enforced through a Citrix environment. The batch process is also utilized in the Citrix model, although real-time has been a preferred method by many when scanning is not heavily utilized.

There are additional expenses associated with selecting the Citrix model. There is a nominal license fee, a few hours of technical labor for installation, and the associated Citrix licensing costs. The fees for Remote Scan is based per site and your Account Manager or Project Manger can assist with obtaining a quote. The increased security, ease of administration and relative simplicity of upgrading the Touch Chart client make this an attractive option.