APIII - Advancing Practice, Instruction & Innovation Through Informatics

Marriott City Center, Pittsburgh, PA | September 20 - 23, 2009

Presented at the 2000 APIII Conference                        Return to 2000 Abstract Index


EXPERIENCES WITH AN OFF-THE-SHELF DATABASE SOLUTION

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas
Kevin J. Land, MD

Background: Historically, database solutions were developed independently and with a variety of software. The true power of a database can not be realized until its information is shared. We attempted to identify a generic, off-the-shelf software solution that could fit our minimum requirements for a department-wide solution.

Design:
Minimum Requirements:

  • Cross-platform (20 % PC and 80% Macintosh Environment)
  • Low Cost
  • Open system (connects with other applications)
  • Scalable (multi-user and multi-site deployment)
  • Web-enabled and able to handle multiple data types, including images
  • Widely-deployed across multiple industries

Solution Choosen: Filemaker Pro

  • Most popular DB solution available for intermediate system complexity TCP/IP networks
  • Readily available programmers
  • Rapidly growing plug-in accessories for easy customization
  • Rapid learning curve for the novice programmer or user
  • Robust software on the market for many years (Windows, NT, and Macintosh servers/clients)
  • Supports TCP/IP, HTML, XML, SQL, and ODBC standards
  • Supports multiple data types (text, images, movies, etc...)
  • Scalable, web-enabled delivery using a Redundant Array of Inexpensive Computers (RAIC)


Results:

  1. Dynamic Web content that meets most of our minimum requirements.
  2. High Bandwidth delivery to high-demand users such as medical students with minimum support costs.
  3. Allows support for resident/fellow developed one-time projects with minimal additional
    • Urological Pathology Lecture Series (cross-platform CD)
  4. Evolving into a viable enterprise-wide solution for data management
    • Catalog of Services and Online Ordering (reference lab) Interfaces with legacy systems (i.e., TN3270 terminal interface to a Purchasing system)
    • E-commerce (on-line report viewing, email, faxing)
    • Wireless delivery of content via Palm VII PDA (Hematopathology database)


Conclusion: Filemaker Pro has proven to be a robust and flexible database solution with a minimum start-up cost for network deployment of less than $2000. Although no off-the-shelf software title can ever provide a universal solution, this software has enough power to support a variety of database needs.

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