Need help setting up Mac server for dental practice?

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Need help setting up Mac server for dental practice?

My dentist is running windows server 2003 and wants to do a total upgrade to Apple server components. The issue is that the software his office uses for patient records is not Mac compatible. He is really set on the Mac environment and is curious if he can run the software on a Mac running Windows and I guess my question is the same. I don't have the specifics on the software he needs to run but from what he says it is fairly low overhead and handles some large jpeg files but mostly small data files.

I am curios how difficult the task of migrating all the info into the Mac environment will be? He is also curious about remote access from home or wherever he needs to get to his info and am curious if a VPN or other method is best.

Thanks

Windows XP Pro

Posted on Jan 8, 2010 6:34 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 8, 2010 12:05 PM in response to cpdrumming

Ok, I am a sucker. I will bite.

The answer is yes. OS X and OS X Server can run Windows in a virtual machine using Parallels of VMWare (or virtual box, or Crossover, or... you get my point). This will allow you to run Mac hardware with Mac software but at the same time run Windows and the required applications.

But, there is a cost penalty here. First, there is the cost of the hardware. Not a big deal, Apple is competitive in price and the server hardware is very nice. Then there is the cost of Windows and the VM software. This is your tax. You have to add these costs on top of what you are already buying and then there is the hidden cost of the additional support. You are now supporting two operating systems, OS X and Windows. And just because Window is running on a Mac does not make it immune to viruses/spyware/trojans/etc.

If this guy really wants to go the Mac route, then go all Mac. Check out http://www.macpractice.com/mp/dds/ or http://www.macdentpro.com/index.php or do a search. There are a number of products that can handle dental practices on Macs, including the radiology aspect. Google is your friend.

As for remote access, OS X Server has a VPN built in that works well. That is not a problem. Or you can get a dedicated VPN appliance to handle security. Once bit of advice. Make sure you implement a good backup solution. Don't be foolish and think that TIme Machine alone is going to save you. This is medical records. Do not mess with them. Spend the dollars to properly harden the environment and ensure record retention policies are met.

Hope this helps

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Answer 2

davork

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Jan 13, 2010 9:07 AM in response to cpdrumming

I have a client who wanted to kill off her windows machines at her practise too. This was back in early summer 2008

She was running Practiseworks along with Kodak Dental Imaging ('KDI'), running in 'integrated mode' (i.e. you get to see the KDI x-rays on the Practiseworks charts)

We looked at a number of practise management systems, but what broke the deal was the fact that there was no integrated digital imaging product - and the suggested workaround ("run the windows app in Fusion/ Parallels") wasn't practical

So in the end we upgraded the windows server (running W2K3 and practiseworks plus kdi) along with operatories full of 20" imacs which run XP in BootCamp(!)

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