A. Also called Network, two or more computers that are connected with one another for the purpose of communicating data electronically. Besides physically connecting computer and communication devices, a network system serves the important function of establishing a cohesive architecture that allows a variety of equipment types to transfer information in a near-seamless fashion.

2. What is a LAN Network?

A. LANs connect computers and peripheral devices in a limited physical area, such as a business office, laboratory, or college campus, by means of permanent links (wires, cables, fiber optics) that transmit data rapidly. A typical LAN consists of two or more personal computers, printers, and high-capacity disk-storage devices called file servers, which enable each computer on the network to access a common set of files

3. What is a WAN Network?

A. Wide-area networks connect computers and smaller networks to larger networks over greater geographic areas, including different continents. They may link the computers by means of cables, optical fibers, or satellites, but their users commonly access the networks via a modem (a device that allows computers to communicate over telephone lines). The largest wide-area network is the Internet

4. Client - Server Architecture?

A. In a client-server system, one or more clients (processes) and one or more servers (also processes, such as database managers or accounting systems) reside on various host sites of a network. Client-server communication is supported by facilities for inter process communication both within and between hosts. Clients and servers together allow for distributed computation and presentation of results. Clients interact with users, providing an interface to allow the user to request services of the server and to display the results from the server.

5. What is a Workstation?

A. A high-performance computer system that is basically designed for a single user and has advanced graphics capabilities, large storage capacity, and a powerful microprocessor (central processing unit). A workstation is more capable than a personal computer (PC) but is less advanced than a midrange computer (which can manage a large network of peripheral PCs or workstations and handle immense data-processing and reporting tasks). The term workstation is also sometimes ascribed to dumb terminals (i.e., without any processing capacity) that are connected to mainframe computers.

6. What is a CPU?

A. Central processing unit (CPU) principal part of any digital computer system is generally composed of the main memory, control unit, and arithmetic-logic unit. It constitutes the physical heart of the entire computer system; to it is linked various peripheral equipment, including input/output devices and auxiliary storage units

7. What is a Database?

A. Database also called Electronic Database, any collection of data, or information, that is specially organized for rapid search and retrieval by a computer. Databases are structured to facilitate the storage, retrieval, modification, and deletion of data in conjunction with various data-processing operations. Databases can be stored on magnetic disk or tape, optical disk, or some other secondary storage device.

8. What is a Relational Database?

A. Relational databases are used where associations among files or records cannot be expressed by links; a simple flat list becomes one row of a table, or "relation," and multiple relations can be mathematically associated to yield desired information.

9. What are available quality Databases?

A. Microsoft's SQL server and Oracle are some of the best in the industry.

Access is a relational database but not very secure and has several shortcomings. Initially our project began on MS Access but we have abandoned it due to several problems with the jet engine. Several other databases are available which are text based, slow and have several other functional deficiencies.

10. What is a Backing Up files?

A. A copy of the existing data and database is created and saved in a different folder.

11. How often is a Backing Up files required?

A. There is no limit to the number of times. The back up can be done every day, every week or every month, the sooner you backup your files the better it is and also depending upon how important the saved data is. For a single doctor we recommend back up in a few days (2-3) or at least weekly. For a multi doctor clinic we recommend back up daily or at least in a few days.

12. Does Write MD has a facility for Backing Up files?

A. Yes. There is a back up utility, which is accessible to your administrator only. The back up is done when all the users are not accessing data, like after hours etc.

13. What if I buy a Write MD application and use it on a single computer and then I want to add a workstation with networking to it?

A Write MD is versatile and can be changed from a single client application to a networking or client server type of application very easily. If you have installed the application on a desktop computer all you need to do is to keep the same computer as a server which and add a Write MD application and the client certificate on the other computers (Clients). If you have installed the application on the laptop then you need to move the server to a powerful desktop computer (server) unless you want to keep the same computer as a server, which is not really recommended. Then and add a Write MD application and the client certificate on the other computers (Clients).

14. What are the requirements of a Server Machine?

A. Intel™ Pentium III® 500 MHZ or Higher Processor
Windows™ 98/2000/Me/NT (Preferably Windows 2000)
128 MB RAM
4 GB Hard disk
10/100 MB Ethernet Network Card
CD-ROM Drive
Uninterruptible Power Supply

15. What are the requirements of a Client machine?

A. 300 MHZ or Higher Processor [Intel Pentium II / Celeron™]
Windows™ 98/2000/Me/NT (Preferably Windows 2000)
64 MB RAM
1 GB Hard disk
10/100 MB Ethernet Network Card
CD-ROM Drive
15" or Larger Monitor

16. Is Write MD secure?

A. The application is very secure and has different roles and permissions allowing only tasks assigned to a role will be permitted. The SQL server is very secure database

17. How many users can the Write MD application?

A. The Write MD application is versatile and is built to handle any number of users. The standard Write MD application is recommended for up to 5 concurrent users or 250 total users. The database in limited up to 2 GB only. However if you need to use more than 5 concurrent users or more than 250 users then you need to buy an additional license from Microsoft for a SQL server 7.0 or greater and install it. There is no need to change any part of the application.

18. How many Sites or clinic Locations can the Write MD application handle?

A. The Write MD application is versatile and is built to handle any number of sites or locations. There is no need to change any part of the application

19. How many Specialties can the Write MD application handle?

A. The Write MD application is versatile and is built to handle any number of specialties. There is no need to change any part of the application.

20. Can Write MD application handles large multi-Doctor and multi-Specialty organization?

A. The Write MD application is versatile and is built to handle any number of Doctors and any number of specialties. There is no need to change any part of the application.

21. Does Write MD has Spell Checker?

A. Yes. It has In-built spell checker and user can add more words to the dictionary. Most of the other EMRs may offer it online or for an extra price.

22. Does Write MD has a word processor?

A. Write MD has In-built word processor with advanced features. Like quick text, Auto text etc. You can also export documents to MS word.

23. What is Write MDs Quick text?

A. By typing a key word a number of sentences that contain that key word appear for multiple selections that will add to or replace the key word.

24. Can Write MD fax documents?

A. Yes

25. Can Write MD print documents?

A. Yes

26. Can Write MD Email documents?

A. No. But it will in the next versions.

27. Can Write MD Print Prescriptions?

A. Yes

28. Can Write MD fax Prescriptions?

A. Yes

29. Can Write MD Email Prescriptions?

A. No. But it will in the next versions.

30. Can Write MD check for Formulary Status?

A. Yes. You need to enter Insurance and commonly used drugs

31. What kind of Support do you have for Write MD users?

A. Email support for all the users within 24 to 48 hours is available at support@Medinformix.com. Telephone support from 8 Am to 5 Pm for subscribed users. A 24 hrs support will be added later as the user base grows. Web based bulletin board is available for users to help each other and explore the possibilities of using the application in various new ways.

33. What are your future products?

A. A pipeline of products is available now.

We are constantly looking for new ideas to develop and encourage users to give us ideas. We will add some features like drug databases, drug interactions, standard drug insurance formulary database etc. We are developing a preventive care reminders module. We will develop a scheduler for making appointments. We will develop a managed care module for tracking all the tests that can be done in office and also track the hospitals that they can go to. We will soon finish a CME and Formulary applications for desktop. We would like to present a PDA interface for EMR, CME, and Formulary soon. As we grow an ASP model will be added. We will develop all kinds of databases that are essential to the doctor’s office.

34. Do you have a patient accounting or billing software?

A. No.

We are linking with several billing software vendors and would like to integrate with as many as we can. We will give our co-operation for the integration from our side. There are several vendors who do the integration for a fee.

35. Are you HLA-7 Compliant?

A. No.

But we will be soon. At this time since our database is an open architecture based it is easy to make an interface if it is an ODBC Compliant database like SQL server or MS Access etc.

36. Do you have an interface with the laboratory?

A. No. But we will work to implement it in the near future.

37. Do you have an interface with the Hospitals?

A. No. But we will work to implement it in the near future.

38. How often are updates available?

A. Bi monthly updates will be available that will take care of the bugs reported and also have enhancements.

39. What is the best Computer model?

A. The best one is a light weight under 7 lbs (3 is lovely) with a built in NIC or a facility for PCMCI card at least 300 MHz, 2 GB, 64 MB RAM and is inexpensive. The touch pens with a touch interface screens are really expensive and does slow down the user. You will use only one point instead of ten fingers and a mouse. But it does not hurt to have as an extra feature.

40. What programming languages are used?

A. This application is developed in Visual Basic 6.0.

41. What kind of database is used?

A. Microsoft’s SQL Server is used for database.

42. Is the application web based?

A. No. We are in the process of making this application web-based.

43. What kind of training is available?

A. We are committed in helping you to get to speed with practice ASAP. We can give you telephone support for training. We are also in the process of developing a training series so that your staff can learn from audio visual at the pace. Internet based training is also available. Onsite training. Our staff will visit your site and train your people. Write MD site. Your staff can visit our site for training.

44. Where is Write MD based?

A. Write MD is based in Houston, Texas. 1200 Binz Street, Suite 630.

45. How long have the software products been generally available?

A. Medinformix is a startup company. Write MD is our first product, which being launched in the first week of July.

46. Is there any limit to the number of patients or templates?

A. No. You can have any number of patient records and templates. As long as you have space in your hard disk.

47. What are Write MD Palettes?

A. These are unique GUI, which are saved in the database after selecting items from Lists and dropdown boxes after entering text etc that can be recalled for latter use. These are different from the boilerplates or templates, where in you have to edit many words and sentences. With Write Palette you only change selections to get the same results.

48. Is Write MD customizable?

A. Absolutely. Almost every list is customizable.

Write MD is built to fit and be customizable for individual needs irrespective of specialties

49. Does Write MD works on Macintosh?

A. No.

There are not many users in medical field who use Mac. But we will consider in the future if we find more users.