PROVISION Technical Information

The ProVision application was developed using Providex™, which is produced by Best Software Canada, Ltd. The Providex™ environment is extremely versatile, allowing rapid application development for Windows, Unix, Linux, and many other platforms. Using Providex™, C&S is able to include such features as OLAP, DDE/OLE, Internet e-mail (SMTP), and Web Server (HTTP), all integrated into a single database. Described below are some of the technical features and capabilities of ProVision.

Database Server

The ProVision database is a very fast, compact, stable, and resilient one. The Providex™ database files never need to be re-indexed once defined, so there is no regular downtime. The files are small for the amount of data that they hold compared to other databases - a practice with several million transactions can use a lower middle range server. The ProVision database was designed with the end user in mind, i.e., files are arranged to allow fast access to the data required by the user. Many key data elements are stored redundantly, to allow sorting by multiple categories and to allow better user tracking.

Client-Server

ProVision uses WindX™, the thin-client for Providex™. Both programs and data files are resident on the server, and all processing takes place on the server. No data, except pictures, are stored -- even temporarily-- on the user's workstation. In addition to efficiency or administration and maintenance, this approach simplifies any issues of patient confidentiality and security.

The client-server arrangement preserves data integrity, as well, since the data and locks are centrally maintained. In the event of a dropped connection, the process will continue until it has finished its writes to files. Records are not transmitted over the network, only information required for screen display.

The client-server arrangement also simplifies the addition of workstations to the network. Once the basic client Windows program is installed on the workstation, the configuration and identification of the workstation is maintained from the server when the client accesses the system. If a newer version of the client Windows program is available, it will automatically be downloaded to the client from the server.

Very significant speed and network load advantages result from the client-server arrangement. Only information that will be displayed within the Windows controls, and triggers to the Windows controls, are transmitted. The Windows client, interacting with the server, does all the work of maintaining the Windows environment, and creating the Windows display with which the user interacts.

The system is still capable of accessing and taking advantage of the resources available locally to the Windows user. This includes local printers, spreadsheet, word processing, OLAP, and graphics software, scanners, and Palm device interfacing. We can also invoke Windows applications from the server. This capability extends the functionality of our system indefinitely according to the user's needs and capabilities, and gives our users an open pathway into whatever technologies will develop.

Web Server

C&S is developing a Web accessible front end for ProVision. This new front end uses the same database as the client-server application, so all information downloaded from the Web is current. Doctor's schedules, patient appointments, medications and prescription, and provider demographic information will be instantly accessible from any web client, including the Palm VII handheld.

Report Generation

Although there are printed reports available to satisfy almost any requirement, there are also available options for report generation. Any report can be made to generate output to an ASCII file. Alternatively, many reports can have their output exported directly to an Excel® spreadsheet on the client PC using DDE. Finally, additional modules are available which allow any data element to be exported to an ODBC-compliant file, which can then be queried with Visual Basic®, Crystal Reports, Cognos, or any other ODBC reporting tool.

Interfaces

C&S has much experience in designing and programming interfaces to other systems in a variety of formats. We are able to send and receive data in HL7, ANSI, NSF and many other formats, and also in the proprietary formats of various legacy systems.