Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Beta testers v6- slower??

Hi all, question to beta testers for v6: How does this version compare, in terms of speed, with v5? I noticed a significant slowdown last year when we went with v5 from v4. Have you noticed this with v6?

Several months ago I posted about network speed, I think we will have to upgrade at some point, main computer is a venerable Dell Optiplex GX620 with single core Pentium 4 3 gig processor and 4 gig memory. (Bert stop reading here) I am considering a Dell Vostro as discussed in another thread, still reluctant to make the leap to an actual server. My reluctance is partly because there does not seem to be much local expertise to set up a server.

If v6 is slower, does it seem to be at the main computer, or do workstations have to be upgraded too?

Thanks. Gene

I don't want to deter you from the joys (?!) of buying & setting up a new main computer on your network, but have you tried the obvious? Max out the main computer's RAM (cost about $30-50/GB) & install a Gigabit ethernet card on the server and as many of the clients that can be upgraded (cost about $40/adapter).

Sorry, I can't answer your software question, since I am not using version 6 yet.

I agree to upgrade to GB (need on server, NIC cards and on switch). You can't put anymore than 4GB of RAM in the computer you have. and Express will only grab 1GB anyway.

You have to have the same editions of AC on all the computers.

When you buy a server where you can add up to 64GBs of RAM depending on the OS (certainly don't need that much), you don't necessarily have to use Active Directory. You can still live in the workgroup world and not need to know anything about networking. The "server" would be your Vostro.

As the government continues to work with AC on writing code, it will likely continue to get slower.

I can't imagine it not being slower with all of that "crap" that the gubernment requires.

I'll wait for v7 I guess as I'm hoping it comes out shortly after v6 with the practice management system that I really didn't want that much but will upgrade to it and try it out for a while to see if I can get rid of my other system.

That's a serious run-on sentence.

V6 is substantially slower on some things than V5. It is somewhat difficult to use on my old P4 2.8-3.0s with 1.5 to2 gigs of memory.

Screen rewrites in the prescription writer and the ICD preemptive look up make the big difference. The basic startup, log in and chart writing, even the search are not significantly different.

I had 2 dual cores I was going to upgrade my main machines with but instead put them at the front desk and one of the exam rooms. I sometimes use logmein to another computer because it overcomes the screen rewrite issue for some reason. The program works well with dual cores.

I have been in discussions with AC about this issue.

Anyone have any details on the minimum system requirements for client computers for V6?

As AC and other medical software programs evolve, there is a need for significant improvements in both the hardware and operating system. With other systems, some versions were never compatible with Windows Vista, and struggle to run on other OS versons, even servers. What has to be considered is the fact that every chart entry, every encounter form built, uses up memory or performs a mathematical function. As the database builds, available memory is exhausted. Your computers express their opinion of what you're doing to them in several ways: slowing down, freezing, shutting down the program, or crashing.

Factually, you just can't keep going out and buying and installing memory. It's not doable. Sooner than later, you have to buy new hardware. New hardware isn't cheap because you have to buy for the future, not just the present, and hope to get a couple of years out of the equipment. As an AC biller, we are preparing for CMS5010, and thus far, have spent over $60,000.00 and that doesn't include the new servers that we need. When we're done, we'll get about 2.5 years out of the hardware before needing to replace it.

So, if you're going to go it alone and plan for the future, it's a good time to invest in the hardware that will allow you to run ever-improving versions of AC. Prices are very negotiable in this economy for the hardware, and you won't be cruising these boards looking for a fix for antiquated equipment. Time is money.

Some of us don't have 60K to shell out on new hardware every year or two. Not trying to be rude but AC is aimed at small providers often with one office not large scale. Getting the bang for your buck is what we're interested in. I do agree computers should be upgraded every five years if possible, (especially the server!) but usually that requires getting new peripherals as well. Costs add up.

Even after all these years, I continue to be amazed at the kind of money numbers that roll through our fingers every day. I routinely order infusions that cost $10,000 a pop, and medications that are $50.00 per pill. My 1800's vintage stethoscope costs $400.00. A used colonoscope on e-bay is $7,500 and a simple office treadmill is $50,000. I calculated we had to produce $350/hr in our 4 provider office just to make payroll for support staff and pay overhead. It takes some getting used to that kind of cash flow. We found that for us, the cost of new hardware barely made it on the radar screen of the total cost of going electronic. Anything that prevents one day of downtime or increases productivity by one patient per day per provider is worthwhile.