DYNAMIC WORKFLOW ENGINE
One of the key features of Medcotek's Dynamic Medical Viewer is the built-in support for automated workflow. This provides a way for users to easily and incrementally integrate the viewer into their business processes. If the organization has an existing workflow application, the viewer can be configured to use it. If the organization does not have a workflow engine, then we can provide one to realize the productivity, task auditing, and task management capabilities that are so important to the success of a distributed collaboration tool such as our Dynamic Medical Viewer.
Other web-based medical imaging tools in the market generally have no workflow capabilities built-in or only provide a proprietary workflow engine and workflow definitions. In the former case, the user must take their attention away from the tool in order to manage their tasks, either manually or through their existing workflow system. In the latter case, the user must duplicate their task management work or develop a customized interface between the disparate automation systems.
We provide an extensible, open interface to a variety of workflow automation tools such as Oracle Workflow, Open Source workflow engines, or what ever workflow automation product may already be in place. We do this using the same "open integration" techniques that enable multiple image formats and database systems to be supported: we provide an open systems architecture that allows the viewer to communicate with any workflow automation tool and standardized methods for expressing workflow concepts.
Thus, the effort to "roll-out" the viewer to a new user base is substantially reduced and can be done in a step-wise fashion that reduces risk, and produces a system tailored for the user. And this is accomplished without the heavy coding and software implementation costs typically associated with systems integration projects of any size.
Traditionally, when an imaging group installs new software or upgrades a current software system, there are demands for systems integration and customization work that requires significant software development resources. The problem can be exacerbated when older systems are replaced, as systems integration points are discovered that were not documented. These are the hidden costs of proprietary systems architecture. We provide an open systems architecture to avoid these hidden costs!
Another not-so-hidden cost of new implementation or upgrades of proprietary systems is that 20-25% of the new/upgraded software cost is assessed to perform training. This training may take place over a 3-6 week time frame depending upon the experience level of the user and changes in the new program workflow over the old program. In addition to training cost, user productivity drops based upon the number of changes in the new/upgraded program. Depending on the number of changes in the new/upgraded program, productivity could be down from 4 to 8 weeks.
Our Dynamic Workflow Engine is designed to fit into the organization's current workflow methodology, giving users the ability to "fine tune" workflow definitions and fit their individual needs in an incremental fashion. And, the organization can do this without a major software implementation effort.
This ability to match an organization's current workflow avoids the expenses associated with a "cut-over" and substantially reduces re-training costs and productivity losses. We estimate training costs at 5-8% of the cost of the software and expect productivity losses to be minimal. In fact, an individual using Medcotek's Dynamic Medical Viewer and Workflow Engine should see an immediate increase in his/her productivity.
Our open systems architecture and Service Provider Model enables Medcotek to make program enhancements without any disruptions to its customers. This architecture lets Medcotek bring new products to market at a lower cost of implementation -- allowing customers to decide when and how to use the new program features.
