System Requirements

PC Requirements

Test your PC automatically with our Workstation Test.

For optimal performance, we suggest office machines run Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, and Office, and other purchased commercial software only. Avoid recreational downloads such as internet toolbars, popup blockers, etc.

Workstation

• Pentium 4 class or better
• 1 GB RAM (2 GB RAM or higher recommended)
• 1024 x 768 screen resolution or better
• Windows 7 or Windows XP operating system (business versions preferred) Windows Vista supported, but not recommended (Server editions not supported)
• Both 32- and 64-bit operating systems mentioned in the bullet above are supported
• Broadband Internet connection (see next tab)
• User accounts: Administrator or Power User access level (required for occasional ActiveX updates)

Tablet PC (for EHR)

• Above workstation requirements
• If running Windows XP, use Windows XP Tablet Edition

Internet Explorer 8

• 128-bit encryption enabled
• *.advancedmd.com set as a Trusted Site
• "Security level" for Trusted Sites set to "medium-low"
• 64-bit IE8 is not currently supported

Additional Software

• Adobe Acrobat Reader for workstations printing reports
• Microsoft Word 2007 or 2010 for workstations printing HCFA claim forms, statements, and/or letters
• Microsoft Excel 2007 or 2010 for workstations exporting reports
• Tablets: Microsoft Word 2007 or 2010
• Microsoft Access required for data export feature

Bandwidth Requirements

Scheduling & Practice Management Applications (not EHR)

PCs will need access to the Internet either directly or through a local area network. Most business broadband accounts can service these needs very inexpensively; typical connection types include DSL, Cable, Wireless, or fractional T1 lines. Note: Satellite service is not recommended, as latency is usually unacceptable.

Your connection should meet the following minimums:

^{* Recommended tested speed. This is the tested actual speed, not the speed listed by your Internet Service Provider. Much like automobile gas mileage ratings, your actual speed may vary from the listed speed.
** From a command prompt, type "ping www.advancedmd.com". The result average time should be less than 100 milliseconds.}

Verify your network speed with speedtest.net.

Additional Considerations

• Heavy usage: If you are a billing office, you should consider the next higher level of recommended speeds for your office size.
• Other Internet traffic: The speeds recommended pertain to the AdvancedMD applications only. If there is additional Internet traffic in the office (web browsing, etc.), you may wish to use higher speeds.
• Multiple locations: We strongly recommend an independent Internet connection for each location.

EHR Bandwidth Requirements

AdvancedMD EHR has faster Internet bandwidth requirements and we recommend minimum requirements for connections to help you achieve an optimal experience.

Home Internet service bandwidth packages, such as DSL packages, provide a higher speed for downloading information and a much lower speed for upload of information. The AdvancedMD EHR software downloads patient historical information as well as uploads the documentation inputs and data scanned into to the patient record. This interaction requires a higher upload speed than most home Internet service packages offered.

AdvancedMD EHR requires a minimum upload and download bandwidth rate of 1.5 Mb/s for the AdvancedMD EHR application. If the practice has other applications or Internet uses, the connection must be greater than 1.5 Mb/s.

When shopping for Internet Service Providers (ISP), ask for definite upload speeds of 1.5 Mb/s that the ISP can guarantee. Most of the Internet Service Providers offer at least Business Connection Plans with minimum upload speeds of 1.5 Mb/s.

Example costs for Business Connection plans***

• Mid-level Business Account
  • $99.95/month
  • 22 Mb/s download
  • 5 Mb/s upload

• Premium-level Business Account
  • $189.95/month
  • 50 Mb/s download
  • 10 Mb/s upload

AdvancedMD recommends the premium or higher level of connectivity for the best user experience.

^{***Internet service providers, service areas, packages rates vary by location. Pricing above based on Comcast service rates in zip code 84020 on March 2, 2010. The information above is for example purposes only. Please check your providers within your business area for services, packages and pricing.}

Optimal Bandwidth Recommendations for EHR

The table below provides the required ISP bandwidth recommendations for an optimal AdvancedMD EHR experience. Please note that these numbers are estimates based upon average product usage. Extensive use of scanned documents may require higher bandwidth speeds.

• Upload speed is important when using AdvancedMD EHR compared to just normal Internet browsing.
• Bandwidth requirements vary based upon number of users, amount of activity, and the size of file attachments.
• If there is additional Internet traffic in the office, you may wish to use higher speeds.
• When checking with Internet Service Providers (ISP) you need to ask for definite upload speeds within a very small range that they can guarantee.
• In most situations you will want to have the middle or highest Business Class Internet plan from your ISP to have Internet speeds you are happy with when using AdvancedMD EHR.
• Connecting multiple locations? We recommend an independent Internet connection for each location.
• The speeds recommended in the table above pertain to the AdvancedMD EHR application only.

Peripheral Requirements

Printers

• Windows compliant laser printer (recommend HP)
• Optional: Label printer (recommend Seiko or Dymo)
• Avoid all-in-one machines (print/fax/scan) and dot-matrix printers

Scanners

• TWAIN-compliant full-sheet scanner (recommend CanoScan)
• Optional: Card scanner for insurance cards (recommend ScanShell 800N)
• Should have a local connection to the PC (not network only)
• Avoid all-in-one machines (print/fax/scan)

Handheld PDA

The AdvancedMD Handheld Charge Slips application runs on PocketPCs and Windows Mobile handheld PDAs with landscape (horizontal) views like the one shown to the right.  

• Microsoft PocketPC 2000 or Microsoft Windows Mobile (any edition)
• Processor: Intel StrongARM or XScale
• Memory: 32MB RAM (built-in, not add-on) - recommend 64MB RAM
• Your connection should meet the following minimums: 240x320 or
  480x640 (VGA)
• Wi-fi (802.11b or g) wireless networking with continuous access.
  Note: Bluetooth and wireless cell phone Internet connectivity may also work well, but have not been tested and are not supported by AdvancedMD.
• Dell Axim or HP iPAQ devices are supported by AdvancedMD

The Handheld Charge Slips application is an add-on module that requires a paid monthly subscription.