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Case Profiles

Start-up Company Strategic Plan & Technology Adoption Project

The project is to develop a telemedicine system to automate data communications and warehouse information related to this start-up companys patient outcomes. Data is collected from across the U.S. via a custom built patient interface device, communicating via a Virtual Private Network (VPN) with local user access points. The system was designed to provide real-time patient data review, generating statistics and maintaining an on-line history of information related to disease management. In addition, this project required designing and implementing a hardware infrastructure to support the exponential growth of the client organization.

Network specific responsibilities included installing Windows-NT based business support systems on a 1GB Ethernet backbone, converting all Intel based workstations to Windows 95 and NT Workstation, installing Microsoft Exchange, integrating Remote Access and Terminal Server servers, and hosting an SMTP Mail Server for Internet Messaging.

First Step Installed MS-SQL on Compaq multi-processor Pentium servers, defined and implemented security for specific user groups across multiple domains, and designed and implemented a Visual Basic client application to display statistics and clinical data for real time review. Additionally, we designed and implemented primary controllers for the patient interface device, including dynamic speech controller and X.25 based transaction protocols.

First Step provides ongoing maintenance and support via a 7-by-24 three-tier support model. Enhancements include a WEB interface to all information repositories and complete operational support via intranet applications. 

Nationwide Consulting Group Stategic Plan, WAN Modernization & CE rollout

This project is to design and install a nationwide messaging and business support network using Microsoft NT, utilizing T1 Data Communications and integrating Windows-CE clients. Sites included San Francisco, New York, Hartford, Chicago and Los Angeles. Responsibilities included installing two regional NT Fileservers, converting all Intel based workstations to Windows 95, installing two Microsoft Exchange 5.0 domains with SMTP Internet mail services hosted in San Francisco, installing system management scripts and integrating the new Windows-CE HPC’s.

Support is provided via a Three-Tier support model. WAN/LAN design teams are available to define maximum utilization milestones and to monitor current usage; implementing system scaling options as required.

Regional to Headquarters Wide Area Connection

This project is to Design and install a Novell Netware 4.10 Wide Area Network (WAN), connecting via satellite to Northern California HQ. Project included installing a Novell Netware Fileserver, connecting all Intel based and Apple based workstations to the network, installing and testing CD-ROM server with Intel workstations, installing and testing Remote Access and Remote Server communications, write and install management scripts, provide system redundancy.

Support is provided via a Three-Tier support model. WAN/LAN design teams are available to define maximum utilization milestones and to monitor current usage.

State Organization member sign-up site. 

This project is to design, implement  and support a system to allow state agency's to submit registration documents for medical insurance via the Internet. Information has to be collected and uploaded on a daily basis to collection points across the U.S. Security is dictated by current healthcare privacy constraints. 

In response, First Step has designed a system providing low communication costs and a secure, scalable environment with a familiar user interface. Using thin client technology and active server side processing, the solution built on Microsoft Back Office technology yields the desired scalablity and support for a dynamic workflow and active data publishing requirement.

Network specific responsibilities included installing Windows-NT based Internet Information server systems on an HP Netserver. Both a non-secure portfolio site and a secure sign-up site with active content and database driven logic were implemented.

First Step Installed MS-SQL on HP multi-processor Pentium Cluster servers, defined and implemented security for specific user groups across multiple domains, and designed and implemented an ASP/HTML client application to display forms, validate data, apply business rules  and collect data for publication to state level databases.