Web-based systems (also called cloud computing or cloud based), are becoming more prevalent. As you can see, there are numerous advantages of cloud computing, the most basic ones being remote accessibility, quick re-provisions, Reduced Cost, Cloud technology is paid incrementally, saving organizations money, Increased Storage, Organizations can store more data than on private computer systems, Employees can access information wherever they are, rather than having to remain at their desks. Allows IT to Shift Focus. With advances in computer technology, healthcare facilities have more room to work because the space that used to be taken up by computers and servers is no longer necessary for managing patient data, a handy metaphor for cloud computing is this: when you plug in a light at home.
Some of the Cloud Services are:
SaaS (Software as a Service): SaaS is the most popular form of cloud services. The service provider offers software to support the service on offer. The software is built by the service provider while the end users can configure it to suit their needs. The clients (end users) however, cannot change or modify the software. Mozy is an example of SaaS. This is where you pay a monthly subscription fee to access the EMR system. You do not purchase it. Nor do you need to purchase a server. (Applications that work like this include Salesforce and QuickBooks online.) These are known as SaaS (Software as a Service).
PaaS (Platform as a Service): Offers a platform to clients for different purposes. For example, the Windows Azure offers a platform to developers to build, test, and host applications that can be accessed by the end users. The end users may or may not know that the application is hosted on the cloud. As mentioned earlier, the storage space for user data may be increased or decreased per the requirement of the applications. As with the SaaS, you do not need to build the platform. You just pay a nominal fee for using the service.
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service): Offers infrastructure on demand. The infrastructure can be anything from storage servers to applications to operating systems. When you opt for IaaS, you save a lot on expenses, space, and personnel required to set up and maintain the infrastructure.
