How Cloud Solutions Are Changing Healthcare IT in 2022
Healthcare organizations have faced unprecedented challenges in the past few years. As the needs of this industry continue to evolve, so has the technology used by companies in this space.
Healthcare technology leaders are increasingly migrating certain services to the cloud, such as data storage and application processing, due to the increased need for mobility and to enable remote and hybrid work. The cloud computing market is projected to reach a whopping $70 billion by 2028.
The ability to access data anytime, from any place and device, is a growing need for healthcare organizations in today’s pandemic-impacted world. Greater IT agility––in the form of flexibility, mobility, and scalability––is a common reason behind many healthcare organizations’ shift to the cloud and complementary solutions, such as virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) software.
This shift can provide many benefits for healthcare organizations, such as faster, easier access to critical software and resources. However, migrating to cloud solutions can be complex for in-house IT departments. One way healthcare organizations often overcome this challenge is by using a managed service provider (MSP).
Benefits of Cloud Solutions for MSPs
If you’re working for an MSP that supports healthcare customers, there are five top benefits of migrating your clientele to the cloud:
1. Greater IT Agility
By hosting and managing cloud solutions, MSPs can help reduce the burden on an organization’s IT department while enabling workforces with the flexibility and agility needed to provide critical services to patients who need them.
2. Lower TCO
The total cost of ownership (TCO) of a cloud-based solution can be lower than that of hosting in-house servers and the IT resources needed to manage them. This can make investing in cloud technology and associated solutions a more cost-effective option for MSPs that support healthcare organizations, leading to greater margins.
3. Increased Reliability and Customer Loyalty
As mentioned, migrating to the cloud can be complex. MSPs can help by deploying new, customized solutions more quickly and readily than a company’s internal IT department and providing ongoing support. This can lead to faster updates, upgrades, patches, fixes, etc., which improves reliability and can increase customer loyalty.
4. Enhanced Security
Cloud solutions can make it easier for healthcare organizations to comply with industry security requirements. These solutions enable oversight at a single, centralized level, which allows IT administrators to control user-access levels to data and monitor traffic to detect potential threats.
5. Better Backup and Disaster Recovery
Cloud solutions provide the necessary ongoing access for healthcare organizations to maintain continuity of care in the event of a disaster. MSPs can help healthcare organizations restore their entire IT infrastructure from backups and get their customers back up and running within hours rather than days, which is essential in the healthcare field.
Types of Cloud Computing Solutions in Healthcare
Cloud computing solutions are becoming increasingly popular in healthcare due to their ability to improve data security, increase agility, enhance productivity, and facilitate remote and hybrid work models.
There are two primary models to consider when offering cloud solutions to your healthcare organization customers: distribution or deployment. And there are several variations within each model.
Distribution Models
The most common types of distribution models for cloud computing include:
- Software as a service (SaaS). The MSP delivers the IT infrastructure, and the client deploys applications and their own operating system(s).
- Infrastructure as a service (IaaS). The MSP delivers the IT infrastructure and an operating system, and the client deploys their applications.
- Platform as a service (PaaS). The MSP delivers all the components including the IT infrastructure, the operating systems(s), applications, and anything else necessary, all within a turnkey platform.
- Desktop as a service (DaaS). The MSP takes all the endpoint devices (laptops, desktop PCs, tablets, and mobile devices) and preconfigures them with all necessary and value-added applications (including security applications) to prepare them for customers.
Deployment Models
The most common types of deployment models for cloud computing include:
- Private cloud. Only a single client can use the technology, in this case, the cloud solution.
- Community cloud. A particular group of companies or organizations with the same interests and objectives can use the technology (e.g., clients under an MSP’s umbrella).
- Public cloud. The general public can use the technology (e.g., Google Cloud).
- Hybrid cloud. The technology offering combines several clouds encompassing the above options.
While cloud computing holds significant potential and can solve a range of problems for healthcare organizations, MSPs can add extra value to the cloud solutions they offer by layering additional solutions and services on top.
How Parallels RAS Enables MSPs to Meet the Needs of Healthcare Organizations
MSPs that count healthcare organizations among their customers can take advantage of the benefits of VDI with an affordable and competitive solution like Parallels® Remote Application Server (RAS).
Parallels RAS offers a solution to quite a few of the challenges facing the healthcare industry, giving MSPs a chance to meet the needs of these organizations.
Key benefits of Parallels RAS for MSPs include:
- An infrastructure that is quick to implement and easy to deploy, manage, and scale.
- Flexible options for MSP customers, since Parallels RAS is multi-cloud ready and supports the deployment of public clouds (e.g., Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud), private clouds, or hybrid clouds.
- Support for DaaS and IaaS offerings, including integration with Azure Virtual Desktop and Microsoft Azure IaaS.
- A usage-based license model that features simple usage and billing reports, with no upfront license or partnership fees.
- Free online training, a robust support program and knowledge base, and advanced certification courses enable you to offer advanced customer support.
Learn more about the use of VDI solutions in healthcare, and meet the Parallels RAS team at the upcoming HIMSS conference from March 14–18, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. You can also attend virtually!
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