Expert Technology Help For Small and Mid-Sized Medical Practices:

Let Network Advantage be your technology partner. Most medical practices, like yours, cannot afford professional full-time Information Technology management but can afford the services and approach of Network Advantage!

Critical Assistance With Your EMR/EHR:

What Exactly Is "Open Source?"

"Open Source" best describes a software development process where computer code is developed by many individuals and companies around the world and then made available at no charge to anyone who wants to use and/or modify the software. This is in direct contrast to proprietary software which is typically developed by a single entity that considers its source code protected intellectual property to be sold for profit.

One might rightfully ask how individuals and companies can make money with open-source software products. The answer lies in providing other products and services around the "free" product itself. For example, SugarCRM, Inc. develops and supports a well-known sales force automation product. The company actually sells three commercial versions: SugarExpress, SugarProfessional, and SugarEnterprise. There is also a fourth, SugarCommunityEdition, which is the open-source core around which the other three are built. Anyone is free to help themselves to the Community Edition, and to fix or improve the code. Many of the user-developed enhancements find their way into the commercial editions, and the product is written in such a way that various "plug-ins" or "add-ons" can easily be created, and some of these also find their way into the commercial product.  It is a win/win situation for everyone involved.

There are several well-known and respected open source EMR / EHR products, each with its own heritage and unique strengths. OpenEMR, VistA and ClearHealth are good examples. There are no acquisition costs for any of this software, but configuration, hosting/architecture, and training need to be budgeted for in any planned installation.

Linux is an operating system almost everyone by now has heard of, that is developed in an open-source manner. Much of the software in and around the Internet itself is open-source, as are many of the internals of Apple's Macintosh operating system. These products have shown themselves to be rugged, secure, and over time, bug-free. In many, many cases, open-source developed software is simply better than commercial counterparts because of the broad input it receives from users around the world.

More interesting reading about "Open Source" can be found here.

Benefits of an Open-Source EMR/EHR:

There are several key areas that provide benefits:

* Software code that can be modified to better fit the way you practice medicine.

Many of the products are written in standard languages that can be easily modified by local developers.

* Standards-Based

Open-source software development usually adheres to open standards which makes for easier and better maintenance and interoperability. These products also do not require the "latest and greatest" hardware, which can reduce overall costs.

* What about support?

That is what Network Advantage LLC is all about!

* Don't forget about cost!

When Total Cost of Ownership is taken into account, open-source products usually cost less, sometimes very significantly!

For More Information:

Talk to us about your medical practice's Electronic Medical Record / Electronic Health Record needs.

Get More Value From Your Network and Technology:

We provide expert IT help for small businesses and medical practices. Network Advantage can administer, secure, support, and maintain whatever technologies you currently utilize. Our knowledge and experience span many vendors' products; however, we favor Open Source solutions where and when they make the most sense. In any case, we look to bring robust, enterprise-grade technology to smaller organizations at affordable prices.

Contact Us:

Located in Western Massachusetts, we welcome small business, non-profit, and professional-office customer inquiries from New England, New York City and State, and the entire Northeast region.

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Network Advantage LLC