The cloud is a term that has become popular in the last 10 years or so. You’re probably using the cloud now in your personal life, and if you are a Data Soft Logic client, then you are definitely using the cloud. But, what exactly is the cloud? Let’s try our best to define it.
Possibly the best definition we have seen of the cloud is “using a network of computers to store and process information, rather than a single machine.” Basically, it means leveraging a vast network rather than relying on a singular computer or server. In the Data Soft Logic world, this means having your EHR data stored on our servers (HIPAA compliant with multiple backups and colocation) rather than your personal PC or personal server. If we weren’t using the cloud then you would be limited to accessing your data when you were on a particular computer or plugged directly into a particular server. This would drastically limit your access to your agency’s info. It would essentially make the point-of-care magic of our software largely impossible. You would become dependent on that singular machine to have the information you needed. Now imagine that someone else at your agency is using ANOTHER machine. How would that data sync up? Ugh. What a mess. And what solves this problem? The “cloud.”
Since Data Soft Logic leverages cloud technology it means that your whole agency is available, any time, anywhere, on any device with an internet connection. Broke your computer? Doesn’t matter. Just hop onto another one. You didn’t lose any data. Are you at your kids basketball game and an emergency comes up at your home health or hospice agency? No problem, log onto your agency with your phone.
We put the power of the cloud in your hands
The cloud enables you to use OUR servers to house your data. This means that you have the resources, power, and maintenance of experts rather than having to do it all yourself. We worry about data security. We worry about maintenance. We worry about updates. We worry about back-ups. We worry about technology. You worry about your patients.
The cloud is what it sounds like, it is all around us.
*”cloud based software” is often interchanged with the term “web based software” and usually means the same thing.
Sources: https://gizmodo.com/what-is-the-cloud-and-where-is-it-1682276210