Remote Application Hosting
Most small businesses have one or more computer programs that are critical to the operation and success of the business. These applications usually are operated from a personal computer or small office network at the place of business. Remote Application Hosting is the practice of outsourcing these critical applications to a more secure, highly-efficient data center, where they are closely monitored and maintained by information technology specialists. As the name implies, Remote Application Hosting allows users of these application to access them remotely, via private networks or the Internet.
Why would I use it?
Having your applications hosted provides a number of benefits, including:
- Reduced overhead
- Tighter security
- Greater availability
- Competitive advantage
- Time savings
Remote Application Hosting reduces overhead in a number of ways. For businesses with networked applications, maintaining a server can be expensive. In addition to purchasing and maintaining the hardware, the insidious cost of professional consulting for implementing and maintaing the environment, as well as off-site data backups can quickly add up. Outsourcing the applications eliminates the need for such equipment and consulting services.
Because your business applications are the life-support for your operation, it is important that they remain available when you need them. Even more important is the protection of your critical data, which often times requires strict confidentiality and security measures that most small businesses are ill-equipped to provide.
In addition to providing the necessary security for your data, outsourcing to a qualified hosting partner will mean your data is also protected by routine off-site data backups. This is a task that is rarely performed adequately, if at all, when applications are kept in-house. A good outsourcing partner will also monitor the health of your servers, network and applications. Updates and routine maintenance functions will be provided automatically during non-business hours to ensure your applications are always performing as they should.
All of these services provide your business with tremendous cost reductions, as well as improving the overall performance of your operation by returning precious time to your staff to perform core business functions. But there's an even greater advantage to be gained through Remote Application Hosting. By making your applications available via the Internet, you create an advantage over your competition by building real-time communication and collaboration with your business associates. Additionally, the freedom to access the system from anywhere in the world means you eliminate geographic barriers when prospecting for clients, trading partners, and staff. You can now recruit the best employees, and engage the most promising clientelle, whether they're in the same town as you, or half way across the continent.
What applications can I have hosted?
The short answer is everything. But to be practical, you usally want to outsource those applications that are critical to your operation, and which require access from multiple users and/or multiple locations. These generally include your practice management / electronic medical records systems, along with coding, claim scrubbing and clearinghouse tools.
Why should I use kghagans.com?
In a word - experience. With over two decades of healthcare information technology experience, and a proven track record of outsource service provisioning for medical billing professionals, KG Hagans Professional Services Group offers the most knowledge and practical experience available in the markeplace. We're not just another IT shop chasing your tech dollars. Rather, we understand your business and we know how to support you, your clients and your trading partners to achieve maximum effeciency.
Because we focus on small to medium sized billing operations, we deliver service with a personal approach. You will enjoy the confidence of knowing the team of professionals that are working with your data and supporting your operation. You will never talk to distant call centers or propeller-heads that don't understand your business. Just real professionals with real answers to your real problems.
How does it work?
Your software is transferred to our data center where it is installed on a server that is dedicated to your applications and your data. We provide everything except the software licenses for your applications. We do this for a number of reasons:
- It removes all doubt about software and data ownership
- Software licensing language generally prohibits the rental of software
- You determine if and when you choose to upgrade
- By allowing you to provide your own software, you decide what tools are best for your business
- Because we're not a software reseller, there's no hidden incentives or conflicts of interest.
- We only deliver world class information technology service - we don't sell you "stuff"
Will my software work on your systems?
Generally speaking, just about any sofware that you currently operate in a Windows(r) environment can be hosted. However, we are very careful that we host only applications that we have either thoroughly tested, or with which we have a proven track record. We do this to protect you as well as our existing clients.
Currently, we have extensive experience with Altapoint, Medisoft, and Lytec and have tested PM2x and Brickell in our environment. We are also able to host open source systems such as MirrorMed, FreeMed and similar web-based tools.
Any clearinghouse is welcome. However, we have a proven track record with ClaimRemedi, ET&T, LTC and all Internet based direct claims portals that support ANSI 837 interfaces.
If you have software you would like us to test, or a trading partner you would like us to speak with, please send us an e-mail with as many details as possible. We will contact you to schedule the testing and determine if there will be any charge. Most products can be tested without incurring any charges.
How long does it take to get on-line?
Severs are usually available on a moments notice. If you're using a previously tested / hosted application, we can often times have you on-line in less than 48-hours, depending upon the size of your organization and number of providers. Applications that are new to us, or that require special accomodation generally take longer. We will, however, always provide you with an outline of the project and set target delivery dates to help you plan your schedule accordingly.
What is this going to cost me?
Our pricing model is very different from most practice management / EMR hosting providers. We charge a basic fee for the application hosting, and a modest monthly fee for each user account on the system. We never charge you based on percentage of revenue, or the number of providers on the system. Frankly, such information is none of our business, and certainly isn't relative the the fair market value of the services that we provide. Smaller operations (under thirty users) should expect to pay between $200/month to $1,000/month for hosting, while medium sized operations will pay more.
Our typical client will have between 1 and 100 users, and will require hosting for one to three critical applications. If you believe your organization fits this model, we will be delighted to give your a firm price quotation, a service level committment and a complete demonstration upon request.
How do I get started?
Call us toll-free at (800) 476-8605 or send us an e-mail for additional information, pricing and scheduling.