Network Managed Services, Optimization, & Support

network managed services, optimization, and support

Client

A leading cloud-based electronic health records (EHR) provider

With thousands of nation-wide customers over 30 states, Client is the medical leader in providing customers with cloud-based electronic health records (EHR). Regardless of user location, Client’s documentation, scheduling, medication or caseload management can be easily accessed from any desktop, tablet or smartphone device.

Furthermore, the client company provides comprehensive software tools to manage all programs, services, and payors from one integrated system platform. The company’s interoperable software is fully configurable and includes access to specific records: clinical records, treatment plan libraries, forms management, ePrescribing, electronic billing and dashboard reporting.

Issue

The main challenge faced by Client was the inefficiencies arising from several load-balanced data centers spaced throughout the country while company headquarters was located in yet another state. Client was seeking a strategic partner with the expertise to support a network infrastructure (plus all routers, switches, firewalls) at each location around the country. It was required that this support include all network monitoring, maintenance, management, and consulting to meet their Information Technology (IT) needs.

Goal

When Client was brought on they were initially being serviced by a competing IT company. A main goal of the project was to transfer all network management responsibilities from the previous company to Compass Consulting. Compass Consulting would evaluate the existing network infrastructure and provide consultative recommendations for improving security, performance, and client experience. Included in this goal was to address the inefficiencies inherent in the company’s various data centers and headquarters location.

Solution

As part of an unrelated project, Compass Consulting initially began assisting Client with basic network management tasks on various switches and firewalls across different locations. Through the evaluation process, Compass Consulting studied each datacenter and provided recommendations for improving macro-level efficiencies, security and overall end user experience.

It was determined that Client would gain significant benefit from upgrading their switches to enterprise grade Cisco Switches at two data centers. While assisting them with web application performance issues, Compass Consulting helped determine the root cause of the problem and recommendations to improve its performance.

Resulting from these consultative recommendations, Compass Consulting’s role was expanded to provide network managed services and ongoing support for all Oracle T7 Servers, Solaris, and Linux virtual servers in addition to the Oracle SAN employed by their web application. Lastly, a SAN network failure at a single location led to the recommendation and implementation of backup measures/solutions that added automation and full file system back-ups to tape.

Competencies

Cisco networking, ASA Firewall, Catalyst Switches, Linux, Solaris OS, Oracle Hardware, VPN, Network Monitoring, Virtualization

Result

As the client relationship has continued to develop, the automation process of operational tasks has grown in importance. Compass Consulting has been very proactive in identifying inefficiencies and pain points for the client and worked to alleviate them.

New enterprise-grade switches installed and implemented at all company data centers simplified the switch infrastructure, improved overall performance, and ultimately prevented future switch failures. In addition, security and user experience recommendations are currently being implemented.

Client reports that they now have a more comprehensive level of support and operational efficiencies.