The document proposes upgrading Stelley Hospital's outdated mainframe system to a new client-server network with Microsoft Access-based payroll database. Key points:
- The current mainframe is inefficient and causes bottlenecks, impacting productivity.
- A client-server model with rack servers on three campuses and Microsoft Access database would improve efficiency and allow remote access to payroll records.
- The estimated cost is $105,400 including servers, switches, and wireless access points. Installation is projected to take 15 weeks with minimal downtime.
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Project Proposal
System Name: Stelley Hospital
Prepared for
System Analysis and Design
Professor Koontz
Prepared by
Adam Woolley
Brandon Spalding
Mary Stevens
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Table of Contents
Title Page.........................................................................................................................................1
Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................2
Executive Summary......................................................................................................................3-4
System Archetecture........................................................................................................................5
Current System
Client Server System
Recommendation............................................................................................................................6
Summary………………………………………………………………………………………….7
System Structure Chart...................................................................................................................8
Context Diagram.............................................................................................................................9
Context Diagram Narrative......................................................................................................10
Database Design...........................................................................................................................11
Network Decomposition Diagram................................................................................................12
Network Decomposition Narrative...............................................................................................13
Gantt Table...................................................................................................................................14
Hardware Cost Projections...........................................................................................................15
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Executive Summary
In this age using a computer to care for a patient is no different than using a scalpel in the
operating room. Doctors and staff equate network efficiency with productivity and just a 5
second delay in an entry request and you may find yourself having to replace staff and
residencies because hospitals that fall behind in information management lose. They lose to the
ever-growing competition in the cut throat healthcare industry. Retail stores like Wal-Mart and
CVS are entering into the health care game and giving consumers choice as well as competition
to the old model of one hospital per county. The game has changed and buildings like Stelley
Hospital that were never built for robust networks need to make sure that being up to date with
the latest client server network infrastructure and database management software is a critical
mission.
Our team has a solution. At the moment we are developing a new payroll server that in
hopes will constantly improve as it goes through development in late 2016. The beta testing will
begin in Early 2017 and going online at the end of that winter to early spring. With the dated
systems and technology that already exists in these facilities the plan is that this new system can
make things slightly easier for users.
The program runs on a respective network server placed within the building. There would
be three main servers: two network servers and one rack server. They would be placed
respectively going across three campuses, the rack server being placed at the larger main campus
in Indianapolis. Each of these servers would allow the program to be implemented into multiple
workstations. This setup would also allow for communication between the servers. As well this
would make payroll accessible cross-campuses.
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The choice of Microsoft Access with the system is important because this will be used for
what we need. The need for speed and access is why we chose Access. A familiar program to
some as well as something that can organize information without any stress whatsoever. This is
what will make the databases and it is how payroll will be able to stay in check. We feel using
this would be a smart and efficient way to ensure that everything stays in line.
When calculating the cost of the projects we will be in need of a rack server and the
network servers. Racks come to around $17,000 whereas network servers will be just $1,500.
Along with the addition of switches and needed wireless access points, the total should come to
$105,400 for a starting price. We have our team that would ensure that the funding is used
properly.
In terms of team experience everyone on board has either managed a large scale project
like this or have worked in IT. The group we have here is highly skilled in many areas. We also
have individuals that have outside sources to help improve on the program as it is in
development. We have a plan and schedule to enact this plan and as it goes along if things are
managed properly and communication happens frequently then the project should be done by the
projected due date.
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System Architecture
Current System
The hospital currently has a mainframe system design with dummy terminals located
throughout the main campus and satellite campuses. The system is dated and limited in both
throughput and flexibility. One of the common complaints among staff was the consistent
bottlenecks that occurred during peak hours. This impacts efficiency and effects the customer
satisfaction ratings with hospital.
Client Server System
An updated system using rack servers and workstations can bring Stelley Hospital in line
with newer, competing hospitals. Client computers provide an interface to allow a computer user
to request services of the server and to display the results the server returns. Servers wait for
requests to arrive from clients and then respond to them. In hospital data processing, a client
computer can be running an application program for entering patient information while the
server computer is running another program that manages the database in which the information
is permanently stored. Many clients can access the server’s information simultaneously, and, at
the same time, a client computer can perform other tasks, such as sending e-mail. Paired with the
Microsoft Access, the new client server system will be able to handle tasks such as payroll much
more efficiently.
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Other Alternatives
Alternatives to the client server model include keeping the current setup and continuously
updating the hardware which would be inefficient and costly over time or choosing to install a
peer to peer architecture. A peer-to-peer (P2P) network is created when two or more PCs are
connected and share resources without going through a separate server computer. A workstation
could be both a client and a host. Although this system is fairly easy to install and is less
expensive because of not purchasing server equipment, it has crippling drawbacks. In this
network, the whole system is decentralized thus it is difficult to administer. That is one person
cannot determine the whole accessibility setting of whole network. Data recovery or backup is
very difficult and security in this system is lacking.
Recommendation
It is our recommendation that Stelley Hospital upgrade its information infrastructure to a
client server model. We believe that the new system will alleviate usage bottlenecks and provide
the updated payroll system that has been long overdue. By not placing such a large burden on a
centralized mainframe, a client server model offers substantial benefits by having workstations
that have their own processing and can at the same time tap into the rack system servers to
complete multiple tasks and operations. We believe that an install can be completed in fifteen
weeks with minimal downtime. If Stelley Hospital wants to remain competitive in its market, we
believe that the time to upgrade is now.
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Summary
It has become apparent to our team during many site surveys and interviews with staff
that the current mainframe system and dummy terminals is inadequate to service the modern
healthcare environment. We heard a number of requests from different departments throughout
the hospital and we believe there are some critical issues to be addressed. The payroll system has
become outdated and fails to service one of the crucial information systems in Stelley Hospital.
We believe that a client server system that is accompanied with a Microsoft Access based
database management system can restore Stelley Hospital’s reputation as being a leader in
information technology and being a breeding ground for innovation.
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Context Diagram Narrative
This is the model of the data management system and in particular the requested new
payroll database. Using Microsoft access, our IT team can design a customized payroll database
that will encompass all of Stelley Hospitals wants and needs. Users will be able to access the
database throughout the main campus as well as the satellite buildings. The database will have
substantial fault tolerance because of uninterrupted power supplies and built in backups on the
rack servers.
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Payroll Database Design
The database management system will be designed using Microsoft Access. Access is
arguably the most complex component of Microsoft Office, yet the least well known. In the
hands of a skilled developer, you can do far more to manage data and provide solutions than
using a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel. Using its embedded programming language
VB/SQL, you can integrate its data management capabilities with the rest of Microsoft Office to
create some very powerful applications.
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Network Decomposition Narrative
Our team has designed an infrastructure that will insure both the main campus and the
two satellite buildings are equipped with a central server system complete with backups and an
enterprise storage solution. The servers will be connecting to workstations using a star topology.
We also believe that a robust N-class wireless solution is critical in today’s BYOD healthcare
environment. The new client server architecture will have flexibility coupled with fault tolerance
with internal backup solutions and uninterrupted power supplies.
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Gantt Table
Our team believes that we can completely refresh the current mainframe design
with a client server architecture in fifteen weeks. We will incorporate project management tools
to ensure that installation, testing, and monitoring are implemented swiftly and with minimal
downtime.