Server Based EMR Software

AthenaHealth EMR Software

149 Reviews

What is AthenaHealth EMR Software? Overview AthenaHealth EMR is an electronic health record (EHR) software designed for small to mid-sized healthcare organizations. As a cloud-based system, it allows healthcare providers to ...Read more

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eClinicalWorks EMR Software

120 Reviews

What is eClinicalWorks Software? Overview eClinicalWorks software is an information solution providing electronic health records (EHR) for medical practices. It is designed to help healthcare providers manage patient records...Read more

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AdvancedMD EMR Software

112 Reviews

What is AdvancedMD EMR Software? Overview AdvancedMD EMR is a comprehensive electronic medical record software designed to help healthcare providers manage workflows for patient records, appointments, medical billing service...Read more

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PrognoCIS EMR Software

104 Reviews

What is PrognoCIS EMR? Overview PrognoCIS Electronic Health Records is a HIPAA compliant clinical and business productivity software designed to help healthcare providers and specialists with either small, large or multi-spe...Read more

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Allscripts EMR Software

97 Reviews

What is Allscripts EHR Software? Overview Allscripts EHR , now under the Veradigm brand, offers a comprehensive solution for healthcare organizations. The company's two EHR systems, Sunrise EHR and Professional EHR, cater to...Read more

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Cerner EMR Software

96 Reviews

What is Cerner EMR Software? Overview Cerner EMR is an extensive collection of medical software solutions, globally utilized by health-related institutions. It offers a whole array of perspectives on patient care for both in...Read more

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Epic EMR Software

92 Reviews

What Is Epic Software?  Overview  Epic software, a product of Epic Systems Corporation, is a cloud-based electronic medical record designed for healthcare systems. It facilitates seamless interdisciplinary collaboration amon...Read more

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Amazing Charts EMR Software

92 Reviews

What is Amazing Charts EHR Software? Overview Amazing Charts by Harris Computer Systems is a top-rated electronic health records (EHR) software designed by physicians (a family physician, to be exact) for independent medical...Read more

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NextGen EHR Software

87 Reviews

NextGen EMR grew from a company founded in 1998 by two doctors with a unified goal – to improve the efficiency of medical office operations. Company founders designed a solution to accommodate physician and staff workflow with eas...Read more

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DrChrono EHR Software

77 Reviews

What Is DrChrono EHR?  Overview  DrChrono EHR is a cloud-based practice management software. It provides an integrated solution to medical practices for medical billing, telehealth, and revenue cycle management.   Additio...Read more

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ChartLogic EHR Software

76 Reviews

What is ChartLogic Software? Overview ChartLogic is a suite of electronic health records (EHR) and practice management software designed for healthcare providers, such as doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals. Hea...Read more

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Greenway Health Intergy EHR Software

72 Reviews

What is Greenway Health Intergy EHR? Overview Greenway Health's Intergy EHR software is a comprehensive electronic health record and practice management system designed to streamline healthcare practices and promote value-ba...Read more

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ChiroTouch Chiropractic EMR Software

68 Reviews

What is ChiroTouch Chiropractic EHR? Overview ChiroTouch is a cloud-based, comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) and practice management solution that was exclusively designed with chiropractors in mind. It not only e...Read more

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Netsmart EHR Software

56 Reviews

What is Netsmart EHR Software? Overview Netsmart's Electronic Health Record (EHR) software is designed to meet the needs of human services and post-acute care providers. It offers workflows and functionality that are purpose...Read more

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Centricity EMR Software

56 Reviews

What is Centricity EMR Software?  Overview  Centricity EMR system is designed to manage electronic health records of large medical practices and it focuses on ambulatory services. Previously owned by GE (General Electronic),...Read more

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Server Based EMR Software Buyers Guide

Last updated: September 26, 2023

Think Like an Expert: The Pros and Cons of Server Based EMR Software

The tech world, software, and automated features are quickly transforming society. No consumer or business functions the same as a few decades (or even a few months) ago. The drawback is that the many developments make it difficult to keep up.

What is really the best option these days?

A major debate rages between cloud-based and server-based systems. Here’s your first answer: No, there’s no easy answer about which type you should pick for your EMR software

To make it easier we compiled a breakdown of server-based systems, to help you gauge the best manner of upgrading your practice in 2019.  

Server Based System Defined

A server-based EMR software system will keep all your data hosted on land-based servers, physically stored on someone’s premises:

  • You can use your own servers and all your data will be kept there. In these cases it’s usually your responsibility to maintain the servers, requiring expert IT personnel. You also need to protect your data against hacking. 
  • A service provider may have its own servers and you’ll ‘rent’ one of them (or space on one of them) to store your data, patient information and more. The service provider will take on the responsibility to ensure the servers function, downtime is kept to a minimum and there are proper security features in place. 

Server vs Cloud-Based Systems: Is One Better?

In contrast, modern technology facilitates virtual servers that host your data on the ‘cloud’. This is a virtualized environment. It’s a popular option as users can often access the data from anywhere, as long as they have internet connections. This is different from server-based systems where you usually need to be connected to the network of which the servers are part. 

A cloud-based system has many benefits, but even though this is the newer tech on the market, there are definitive reasons why many companies and medical practices still opt for server-based systems. 

To help you decide which will work for you we discuss the advantages and disadvantages below. 

Server Based EMR Software: Your In-Depth Look

As mentioned, this is a complicated aspect of software management at the moment. Below you’ll see how one feature may have both pros and cons.

Important note: Realize that you’ll take risks no matter which option you pick. Understanding the topic helps you pick one that contains the least number of risks for your setup and will ensure the most streamlined process in your practice.

Henry Schein MicroMD

The Pros

Connectivity

This is one of the major reasons practices still pick this method: You don’t need an internet connection to ensure access to your data. This makes it possible to use advanced software even in remote areas.

Security

Many experts are of the opinion that cloud-based systems are more secure. However, the nature of your data may prompt you to prefer keeping the information on-site, rather than sharing it to the cloud.

Asset Management

If data is corrupted or disappear, as long as you have a proper backup system, it should be easy to restore your practice to be fully functioning quite quickly. Some cloud-based systems can’t guarantee a quick recovery process. 

Control

You may prefer having full control of your system. If you use cloud-based systems you’re often forced to adhere to certain SaaS (Software as a Service) updates which you may not want. To retain control or enjoy certain customized features you may benefit from server-based programs.

Speed

Because you’re not dependent on internet speed—and especially if you use network cabling instead of wireless systems—you will enjoy fast information retrieval. 

Cost

In many cases, the monthly premiums for this type of system are low (But also see below) 

The Cons

Capital Investment

If you’re hosting your software on your own system it will require a huge initial capital investment. You need to purchase quality servers, ensure you have a backup system & get all hardware and cabling necessary. 

Cost

In addition to initial costs, you’ll have monthly premiums, but if hosting it yourself you’ll also need expert IT personnel. This means your HR costs may be affected if you don’t have this in place already. 

Space & Storage

All the hardware will need storage space which can make it an impractical option for practices operating out of small offices. 

Accessibility

Depending on your infrastructure you may not be able to access the data from anywhere. This is a vital point to discuss with your vendor and if your work causes you to travel often, this can be frustrating. 

Security

It is susceptible to being hacked, making security features a huge expense. Although it’s easy to make backups, you also need to store a backup off-site to use in the event of data being destroyed or corrupted. This calls for regularly taking the data off-site to where you store it (e.g. in a safe) and creates a possible security risk whether you send it digitally or transport it physically. 

Down Time & Asset Management

If your servers are faulty you’ll have downtime. Any physical damage or if security is breached can cause such a problem. When you use your own servers (not your vendors) you’ll have to manage the problem yourself, so you have no guarantee of how long downtime will be. Some vendors offer promises of limited downtimes. 

Who Needs Server-Based EMR Software?

Based upon these facts it’s clear that server-based software caters to a niche group or people in unique circumstances:

  • You’re in a remote area where there’s no, or no guaranteed, internet connection.
  • You prefer that only you can have access to information, rather than uploading it to the cloud.
  • Your budget guidelines match what server-based systems cost, rather than cloud-based premiums.

Conclusion

As with many software purchases, you need to find the product that works for your unique situation. Paying for features you won’t use, or that are impractical for your setup will be a waste of money.