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EHR Hardware Requirements and Recommendations

Note: When we do Upgrades—You can Count on NO Down-Time and NO Extra Adjustments

The following sections outline the required or recommended hardware that is compatible with Foxfire software. If you have questions regarding any of these items, please reach out to Customer Service at (800) 333-4176.

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We Educate First and Foremost

What You Should Also Know

  • Cloud EHR or Server Based – Whether you would prefer a server-based solution or a cloud; you use a Mac or you prefer Windows – Foxfire EHR can operate in a myriad of situations.
  • Up-To-Date System – Our developers continually research and implement software updates to keep your practice up-to-date with the latest in optical software technology. These updates do not affect any office-specific customizations of the system.
  • Extremely Low Bandwidth Requirements – Worried about what bandwidth you will need to operate Foxfire software? Don’t be. Foxfire offers the full software suite with an astonishingly low bandwidth requirement.

Workstation Minimum Requirements

Workstation Minimum Requirements

Windows 10 Professional or greater with all updates applied

8GB of RAM if Windows 10 Professional

i5 Processor (or equivalent) or better (less than 4 yrs. old)

1Gbit Ethernet Network Card

1280 x 800 or Greater Resolution

CHECK IN/OUT STATIONS work efficiently with DUAL SCREENS

Workstation Recommendations

Windows 10 Professional OS with 16 GB of RAM

i7 Processor or better

1Gbit Ethernet Network Card

Wide-Screen Monitors with aspect ratio of 16:10 (1920 x 1200) and smaller than 22” should be avoided as they significantly decrease the viewable area of documents.

HD Monitors with aspect ratio of 16:9 (1920 x 1080) and smaller than 24” should be avoided as they significantly decrease the viewable area of documents.

For best viewing results use a 19” monitor with aspect ratio of 4:3 or 5:4. You can also use a 24 inch Wide-Screen monitor with aspect ratio of 16:10, resolution set to 1920 x 1200 and DPI (text size) set to 120 (125%) or 144 (150%).

Router Recommendations & Requirements

Router Recommendation

A Watchguard T series router. (Exact model depends on the bandwidth required)

Router Minimum Requirements

A router that can do IPSec VPN.

Note:
If network subnet (IP range) conflicts with another customer, one of the following options must be done for the VPN to work:
1.  The network subnet needs to be changed
2.  The router needs to be setup with NAT over IPSec, if router is capable.

*All Watchguard models can do NAT over IPSec.

Scanner Requirements

Scanner Requirements

TWAIN Compatible Scanner

Scanner Recommendations

At least 1 TWAIN Compatible Scanner with Flatbed, ADF, and Duplex for flexibility (fi-7260).

WARNING:The Fujitsu ScanSnap is NOT a TWAIN compliant scanner. If more scanners are needed they should be TWAIN Compatible ADF Scanners with Duplex (fi-7160). Kodak i940 – scans both front and back, full-size down to insurance cards. This scanner will allow scanning directly into FoxFire PM and EHR.

Note for Scanners for use with RDP Scan Redirector RDP – www.incentivespro.com/scan-redirector-rdp.html TSScan – www.terminalworks.com/remote-desktop-scanning

Server Recommendations & Requirements

Low Cost (up to 10 users)
Database Server (also used as an Application Server)

Windows Server 2012 R2 (or newer) with all updates applied.

16 GB of RAM (about 10 GB + 1 GB per user)

2.0 Ghz or greater Quad Core Processor with 4MB or greater Cache

300 GB x 2 drives in RAID 1 Mirror, 7200 RPM Hard Drives or SSD (Operating System)

1 TB x 2 drives in RAID 1 Mirror, 7200 RPM Hard Drives (Data)

Microsoft SQL 2019 Standard 64 bit (do not use Express)

Best Performance & Scalability (up to 30 users)
Database Server

Windows Server 2012 R2 (or newer) with all updates applied.

32 GB of RAM

2.0 Ghz or greater 2 socket Quad Core Processors with 4MB or greater Cache

500 GB x 2 drives in RAID 1 Mirror 15K RPM SAS Hard Drives or SSD (Operating System)

2 TB x 4 drives in RAID 10 array, 15K RPM SAS Hard Drives (Data)

Microsoft SQL 2019 Standard 64 bit (do not use Express)

Steps to reduce Server Failures, Downtime, Data Loss
Plug server in to an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS).

Do not use the server as a workstation.

Do not subject the server to high temperatures.

Do not operate server in a dusty or wet environment.

Backup data from server daily and include offsite backup in plan. Veritas Backup Exec is recommended.

Regularly check the status of the RAID array, so drive failures are not missed.

Comprehensive Backup System Symantec Backup Exec with SQL Agent (required) & Advanced Open File Option turned on. Preventing Server Disasters Server failures these days are few and very far between. As long as you have it connected to a battery backup, are not using your server as a desktop, are not subjecting it to high temperatures, and are not subjecting it to dusty environments, your server should provide you with 5-10 years of reliable, trouble free service. That being said, we recommend that you keep spare server parts on hand so that you can quickly recover from a disaster in the unlikely event a hardware failure does occur. This would include spare hard drives, memory, processors, motherboards, power supplies, etc. You can buy a second hardware only server, and keep it stored for spare parts. If you cannot afford even a half hour of down time, you can setup a High Availability Server Fail environment using software like Stratus Advance High-Availability Software. In this environment, 2 servers with the same exact hardware would operate 24/7, and would be exact copies of each other. The second server’s NIC would be disabled until a failure occurs. When the first server fails, the second takes over instantaneously until the first is brought back online. FoxFire EHR’s Server Synchronization feature can also be used as a manual server fail. Keep in mind this may essentially double your hardware and maintenance costs, but it is very effective in providing real time server fault tolerance.

Network Recommendations

Network Recommendations

Gigabit Ethernet Switch & NICs with Cat5e or better cabling.

Wireless installations are NOT recommended as performance and reliability will be degraded. All computers should be cabled directly. If you require wireless for mobile devices, we recommend using an external access point(s) (i.e. not part of your router). For larger offices or complicated layouts, a qualified Wireless Network Engineer should evaluate the service area for access points. The resulting wireless setup should maintain at least 3 bars (>-67 dBm) and a Signal to Noise Ratio >25 from all areas, and be able to maintain consistent ping times with no dropped packets from all areas. We recommend that you use a free WIFI Coverage Site Survey software such as Ekahau HeatMapper for smaller facilities, or a High End tool such as Fluke AirMagnet Survey for large facilities to analyze the wireless coverage of your facility.

Fax Server

Fax Server

FoxFire EHR uses Microsoft Windows Server 2012 built in Fax Server as the Fax engine.

To ensure the highest level of speed, reliability and compatibility, we highly recommend that dedicated fax board hardware be used, in conjunction with Mainpine’s free IQFSP software. The IQFSP software will enable Error Correction, Super G3 faxing, and detailed logging to Microsoft Fax Server, eliminating the need for expensive 3rd party faxing software. Mainpine IQ Express Fax Board Models: 1 Port RF5118, 2 Port RF5120, 4 Port RF5122, 8 Port RF5124 Mainpine hardware can be purchased at: https://www.ifax.com/product-category/hardware/fax-boards/mainpine/

SENDING FAXES THROUGH VOIP LINES IS UNRELIABLE AND NOT SUPPORTED. Only regular 2 wire analog POTS lines from your local telephone company should be used for faxing. DESPITE THEIR ASSURANCES, CABLE COMPANIES (COMCAST/COX/TIME WARNER/CHARTER/OPTIMUM) ARE VOIP! THE FAX SERVER SHOULD BE THE ONLY DEVICE ON THE LINE. Other devices may interfere with fax transmissions even if they are set for manual pickup. Setup all other Fax machines/Credit Card machines, etc on a different line.

If adding another line is not an option, you can try a line sharing device called “The Stick” that will isolate each device, preventing crosstalk issues. “The Stick” can be purchased at www.faxswitch.com.

The default configuration may cause incoming reliability issues. To increase reliability, you can try connecting the Incoming Fax Server to Voice 1/2, connect the other device(s) to Fax or Modem, and disable Fax Tone Detection by dialing ##77010 80 on a connected line. Set Fax Machine Rx Mode: Manual, Rings: 5+, Easy Receive: OFF IF DSL IS ON THE FAX LINE, A DSL FILTER SHOULD BE USED.

You may experience better reliability moving DSL to a different line. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE LATEST MAINPINE FIRMWARE! Firmware versions prior to March 12, 2010 may experience issues with reliability.

To verify, in Phone & Modem Options click the Modems tab, select the modem then click properties, then click Query Modem under Diagnostics and check the version.

Contact Mainpine directly to update. Example: Mainpine CFAX34 8.15A.0.2 (March 12 2010) Polaris DP

Diagnostic Equipment

Great news! If your device is network capable, it can be set up to import images and data directly into FoxFire EHR. (You can ask your IT professional to help with ensuring your devices are networked.) Click HERE for a list of devices we have worked with.

If the device is network capable, but does Not Have a Network Jack or is an older diagnostic machine that does not have a network jack (such as the Zeiss IOL Master, GDX, and non i series Visual Field machines) the results may still be able to be imported digitally using a print capture device.

Zeiss Diagnostic Machine Software & Licensing Requirements

Humphrey Visual Field i series – You must purchase and install the Zeiss HFA-NET license from Zeiss and update your machine to a minimum of version 4.2.2 or newer.  

IOL Masters with Network Jack. You must purchase and install the Zeiss PDF Printer Software from Zeiss. If your IOL Master does not have a CD- ROM, you must purchase the USB key version of the PDF Printer Software from Zeiss.

Serial Port Connectivity (Auto-Refractors/Lensometers/Digital Phoropters) – FoxFire EHR can import values directly from most auto-refractors, lensometers and digital phoropters. The vast majority of these devices can only transfer results via a serial cable. Without a Serial to Ethernet device, you must have a computer right next to the device in order to use the interface. You must purchase the serial cable directly from your equipment provider. Most of the cables are proprietary, and standard serial cables usually do not work. If your PC does not have a serial port, we recommend either adding a serial card, or using the Tripp Lite Keyspan USB to Serial Adapter Model USA-19HS. We have found that USB to Serial adapters found in stores are unreliable. You can use a Serial to Ethernet device to extend the serial port through the Ethernet network. We highly recommend the Digi One SP. Make sure to download the latest drivers for this device at www.digi.com. Keep in mind that even with this device, procedurally, it may be less work/easier to hand enter the results if the device is not in the same room or near the computer.

Medication & Lens Rx Printing – You can use a regular ink-jet/laser printer with perforated secure paper, or purchase a dedicated Rx printer (STAR TSP847UII-24 GRY RX-US).

Webcams – compatible with most modern USB webcams. Note for webcam use with RDP: TSWebcam – www.terminalworks.com/remote-desktop-webcam *To use a webcam in FFPM you do not need to purchase the TSWebcam program*.

Labelwriter, Labels & Barcode Scanners

LabelWriter 450 Turbo

LabelWriter 450 Turbo Label Printer Dymo LabelWriter 450 Turbo Thermal Label Printer Part Number: 1752265 DYMO LabelWriter 450 Turbo Thermal Label Printer (1752265)

Dymo Price Tag Labels

Dymo Price Tag Labels Labels Dymo LabelWriter Labels – 400 Labels/Roll Part Number: 30373 DYMO LW Price Tag Labels, 15/16″ x 7/8″, White, Self-Adhesive, Roll of 400 (30373)

Dymo LabelWriter Print Server

Dymo LabelWriter Print Server LabelWriter Print Server Dymo LabelWriter USB Enet Connect PC/Mac Print Server Part Number: 1750630 Labelwriter USB Enet Connect Pc/mac Print Server Symbol LS2208

Barcode Scanner BLUEHRESY Barcode Scanner (2.4 GHz Wireless USB Automatic & USB2.0 Wired)Rechargeable 1D Handheld Bar-Code Reader

*Foxfire is accessible through Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems.

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