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The term ‘cloud computing’ is a popular new phrase in the IT world used by different people to mean slightly different things. In essence, it refers to the provision of computing services to consumers over a network (such as the internet or NHS N3). As such this is nothing new, remote application hosting has been available for many years. Typically the user will access the software through a thin client application such as a web browser. Another common phrase to describe this sort of software delivery, especially subscription models is Software as a Service (SaaS). The main drivers for the adoption of cloud computing are the desire to cut overheads for local IT costs (server hardware, software licences, support staff etc.) and at the same time gaining extra resilience in terms of off-site backup, disaster recovery provision and access anywhere.
The IQUS Cloud
IQUS has a cloud platform. Rota Master can be delivered to customers as a hosted application, Rota Master Online with no need for any local IT infrastructure other than a web browser. The software is hosted and managed remotely by IQUS with user logging in securely via a web browser. After that the user’s experience is exactly the same with all the same software features fully available. The existing workforce web site interface is unaffected.
Advantages of the IQUS Cloud
No Software
There is no local software to install. This means IQUS do not have to connect remotely to your network or visit your premises to install or upgrade your systems. Upgrades are all managed remotely at the server with minimal downtime and with no impact on any other local software or systems.
Access Anywhere
With conventional network installations you are constrained to work only at computer where the software is installed, typically your main headquarters. There is no option for remote working or working across multiple unconnected sites. With Rota Master Online all you need is a web browser and internet connection. You can connect securely from any location in your organisation or via a laptop or thin client device from any location in the world.
No Citrix
Currently Citrix is widely used to publish a networked installation of Rota Master across a wide area network. Rota Master Online does not require Citrix and if it is not needed for any other purpose, this can mean major savings on expensive hardware, Citrix software and licences. This is a major area of cost savings currently being examined by many customers.
Better Value for money from existing hardware
If you are installing your critical software on local hardware you will find that as systems grow in size and functionality (and have to compete with other software for computer resources) your machines will get slower and less efficient more quickly. This means the lifecycle of your computers is inevitably shortened. Rota Master Online can grow and develop in its own space and leave your local computer unaffected, thus extending the life of your computer hardware. In fact, because it is running on optimised high-specification servers, Rota Master will run faster on the cloud than before, bandwidth permitting.
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Fully managed by IQUS
Many of our customers subcontract network management services to third parties or have corporate IT teams that often have other departments to deal with and competing priorities. IQUS are very experienced at dealing with such third party network managers and always take time to develop the best relationships possible with them. However, Rota Master Online is fully managed by IQUS directly, thus ensuring that we have direct and full control over your hosted environment. We can ensure that it is always fully tuned to your requirements, monitored and running in isolation without interference from other vendors’ software.
Backup
Rota Master Online means you do not have to worry about backup. All our customers intend to adopt reliable backup procedures. However, we have seen too many system failures in this critical area and data loss in HR and rota management can cause disproportionate distress. Automated daily backup with off-site archiving ensures your data is always recoverable. We use the renowned Servastor solution powered by industry leaders Asigra. Databases and settings are encrypted on our network and then copied and stored at 3 secure locations around the UK for complete resiliency.
Disaster Recovery
Rota Master Online also doubles as a robust Disaster Recovery solution for any company using the IQUS suite of applications, choosing Rota Master Online offers clients the total peace of mind that a disaster at their own premises doesn’t mean the complete loss of all business critical functions, IQUS can have any customers’ Rota Master application back up and running within 2 hours of notification.
Third Party Integration
Where customers need to integrate with third party applications such as finance packages, patient management systems etc, IQUS can provide integration services as native functions (for example Adastra) or as bespoke projects for special situations.
Extended Support Hours
Users of Rota Master Online benefit from specially extended support hours over and above those provided within the standard IQUS Support Agreement.
Secure Data Centre
Rota Master Online is hosted in a state of the art secure UK data centre.
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