CNS Blog

Blackberry Playbook Vs. Apple IPAD

Clinical Network Solutions — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 23:45:24 +0000

I'm not much of an Apple fanboy (although I do own a 2008 Macbook that's running great). I do, however, enjoy my Apple iPad. Why? Because I've sync'd the iPad with Apple iTunes, iPod Touch, livingroom and bedroom speakers, Sony TV, Apple TV and Airport Express to control all the audio and video in my home using my wireless network. So when I hear a new contender is entering the Tablet Wars, I'm a little skeptical. Hmmm.. come to think of it, I may be a fanboy! Anyway... Blackberry is presenting it's "Playbook".

Here's one person's comparison of the Playbook versus the Apple iPad:

So why is the Playbook so much faster than the iPad? The answer's under the hood. The Playbook features a dual-core 1GHz CPU, while the iPad features a single-core 1GHz A4 CPU. So hardware wise, the Playbook has beat the iPad. Does it mean the Playbook will beat the iPad in terms of sales and market share?

People/businesses buy hardware according to what software it can run. At this point, consumers enjoy the apps in the iTunes library and Android marketplace. I'm not sure what kind of traction Blackberry will be able to gain in the personal shopping segment. I highly doubt RIM wants to enter ONLY the personal shopping segment. I read (here) that RIM is pushing the tablets to businesses. This will probably be a good openning for them. RIM is touting the Playbook's security and encryption features. For those businesses that utilize Blackberrys and RIM architecture, the Playbook will be the likely winner.

All things considered, the Playbook is looking good. I'm sure Apple will be coming out with the iPad2 in the coming months. According to rumours Apple will launch the iPad2 in January 2011. These rumours have also been boosted with sources suggesting that Ipad 2 adverts have already been produced. Let's see what happens.

What is Virtualization?

Clinical Network Solutions — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 18:28:49 +0000

We get this question many times. So let's start with the basics: A server is a computer that has been set aside to hold data and/or run a specific application. However, data use must be secured and protected. Deploying a server is not enough, for larger organizations, servers must be monitored and fine-tuned. What if you need multiple servers? Is it best to purchase more physical servers? What if space is limiting or processes don't require separate physical servers.

Introducing the Fujitsu Lifebook T730

Clinical Network Solutions — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 19:34:00 +0000

We strive to integrate the latest in mobile technology. Fujitsu's recent offering is the Lifebook T730, with its highly configurable design, solid build quality, impressive 12.1in. multi-touch-screen, the tablet is a sure-fit for the physician on the go.

Here are some of its key features:

Intel® Core™ i3-370M Processor(2.40 GHz, 3 MB L3 cache)
Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 32 (MUI)
12.1" WXGA LED backlight LCD
Dual digitizer (pen input and capacitive multi-touch screen)
Intel® HD Graphics
Built-in webcam with dual digital array microphones for video chat
2 GB DDR3 1066 MHz SDRAM memory (2 GB + empty slot)
160 GB S-ATA, 5400 rpm hard drive³(protected by Fujitsu Shock Sensor)
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN
Integrated Bluetooth Wireless
Modular Dual-Layer Super-Multi DVD Writer
Embedded Fingerprint Sensor, integrated TPM, Security Panel
Integrated ambient light sensor
Full-size, spill-resistant keyboard with touchpad (includes scroll sensor)
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port
User cleanable dust filter

From M.S. Patients, Outcry for Unproved Treatment

Clinical Network Solutions — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:38:00 +0000

For her first appointment with Dr. Daniel Simon, Neelima Raval showed up with a rolling file cabinet full of documents. She had downloaded every word written by or about Dr. Paolo Zamboni, a vascular surgeon from Italy with a most unorthodox theory about multiple sclerosis.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/29/health/29vein.html?ref=science

Pricey imaging pushes up health costs

Clinical Network Solutions — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:15:00 +0000

Good article today in the boston globe. In a nutshell (doesn't do it justice but here it goes): Imaging costs are growing across the United States. In two years, spending on MRIs, mammograms and other imaging tests grew by at least $214 million in Massachusetts. Obviously, this fueled a dramatic rise in the cost of outpatient care.

Idaho is not waiting for federal healthcare "reform"

Clinical Network Solutions — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:44:00 +0000

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter wrote a nice opinion piece (source at the bottom): It seems like Washington, D.C., is tilting at political windmills these days. The Obama administration and Congress are still promising to slay the fire-breathing dragon of healthcare costs. But the beast they are fighting is, to a large extent, the product of the government-installed cage in which it evolved. For 35 years now the federal government has been essentially running healthcare in America, masking market signals and supplanting the judgment of patients and physicians with the determinations of politicians, bureaucrats and lawyers. It should be no surprise that healthcare became “health management,” people became statistics, and the fear of liability became the biggest expense of all.

HHS's Final Rule on Health Information Technology Sent to House

Clinical Network Solutions — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:07:00 +0000

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has received an executive branch communication from the Department of Health and Human Services.
The assistant office manager at the HHS has transmitted, pursuant to law, [5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A)], the Department's final rule - Health Information Technology: Initial Set of Standards, Implementation Specifications, and Certification Criteria for Electronic Health Record Technology.
The document (RIN: 0991-AB58) was received by the House on Jan. 15.

Source: Sarabjit Jagirdar, US Fed News

Grant Expected to Strengthen Children’s Mental Health Treatment

Clinical Network Solutions — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:06:00 +0000

The Wyoming Department of Health has issued the following news release: Wyoming has been awarded a federal grant to help improve healthcare quality and delivery systems for children with serious behavioral health disorders who are enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The CHIP program is known in Wyoming as Kid Care CHIP; the state's Medicaid program is known as EqualityCare.

AMA has formed a partnership with Ingenix

Clinical Network Solutions — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:06:00 +0000

New market moves:

The American Medical Association is making progress on its plan to be the electronic platform physicians use to upgrade their practices with the latest technology.

Chicago-based AMA has formed a partnership with UnitedHealth Group's Ingenix subsidiary to "help physicians adopt and implement electronic health records," the two groups said in a statement provided to the Tribune. As part of the deal, the AMA will offer Ingenix CareTracker, a Web-based medical record system, through its Web site.

The AMA said Ingenix will be part of a yet-to-be-named larger platform being created on its site to help physicians develop new technologies to enhance their practices and improve their day-to-day work environment. The group said multiple options will be given to doctors beyond the Ingenix technology.

Full article here: AMA teams with UnitedHealth and Dell

HealthConnect is now the largest business EHR system?

Clinical Network Solutions — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:34:00 +0000

Kaiser Permanente stated that it completed its rollout of electronic health records in the company's medical facilities. HealthConnect is now the largest business EHR system in the world with the addition of Kaiser hospitals in Oakland, Richmond and Vallejo in California, it said. The system securely connects 8.6 million patients to their physicians, nurses and pharmacists, plus their personal information and 'the latest medical knowledge' through a personal health record manager at KP.org. Kaiser said more than three million members were using the My Health Manager system, with 27 million logins in 2009.

Industry Notes, Washington Internet Daily, Industry Notes (March 04, 2010)