Thinking about making the switch to cloud-based medical software? In Australia, an ever-increasing number of healthcare providers are moving to the cloud, but there is still a lot of misinformation around what the cloud is and how it works. Here is the truth about some of the most common misconceptions around the cloud.
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Cloud software is expensive
Depending on your current software, you can potentially save money moving to the cloud. When you use cloud software, you don’t need to pay for a physical server and an IT service provider to maintain it. Because cloud software is flexible and accessible on any device, you can also reduce your infrastructure costs when you make the switch. To access cloud medical software, all you need is a device with an internet connection, there’s no downloading or installing involved so you can use a laptop, phone or tablet.
As well as reducing your infrastructure costs, with the cloud you can often save costs on your IT. Unlike a more traditional on-premise software solution, cloud-based medical software comes with updates and maintenance included. Everything, from security through to backups and troubleshooting of problems is taken care of by a dedicated team and it’s all included in the cost.
The cloud is not very secure
It’s understandable that medical practices are concerned about security. You’re dealing with sensitive patient data and it’s your responsibility to keep it safe. However, there is a misconception that cloud-based medical software in Australia is not as safe as hosting your medical software on your own server. Generally this is not the case. If you’re using a reputable cloud service provider, they will have a team of professionals dedicated to keeping your data safe and your software secure. This means regular backups, round the cloud threat monitoring and state of the art security.
Unless you are a security expert or prepared to pay someone to monitor your server 24/7, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to achieve this level of security with an on-premise server. Having a server located at your business premises comes with its own set of risks in the event of a fire or natural disaster. If your server is damaged, you can potentially lose access to your data.
With cloud-based medical software, your data is hosted remotely, often from multiple secure locations. This means that if something were to happen to your physical premises, you can still access your data and keep your business running as long as you have a computer with an internet connection.
Cloud software is complicated to use
The cloud might sound complicated, but in reality, cloud-based software is generally very straightforward to use. This is because it’s designed to be intuitive, with a focus on user experience. Not all cloud software is the same, but the majority is intended to be fast to set up and to streamline workflows as much as possible to support a more efficient and productive workforce.
As well as being easy to use, one of the other benefits of cloud software is that it’s easy to scale up and down. Adding users just means creating a login, and removing them is as easy as deleting them off the system.
If you’re looking for a new software solution for our healthcare organisation, cloud-based medical software in Australia is generally cost-effective, secure and easy to use.
