The AMSANT Shared Network

The AMSANT Shared Network allows member organisations to centralise their software applications so the data they manage (internal documents, work-force data, patient information etc) is secure and the applications they need run 100% of the time.

For optimum efficiency, each remote site needs at least two alternative internet connections, just in case one fails. Internet connections can be managed by external organisations that will be able to monitor satellite, ISDN and ADSL availability and pro-actively contact internet service providers to fix any problems. These internet support structures must provide security, virus protection, e-mail filtering and usage reporting.

Historically computers were built as centralised systems where all the work was done by one big server or 'mainframe'. These systems were in common use before the PC (personal computer) revolution of the 1980s and 1990s. PCs changed the economics of computing. During this time there were great financial benefits in decentralising computer processing and this 'distributed model' became standard in office and professional environments.

Today, the security of data and the management of systems has become the most expensive part of computer system maintenance. Computers themselves have become more powerful and much cheaper, while the technology to make them work together and share tasks has also developed.

Computer systems are now costing more in terms of support and security so the benefits of decentralising computer processing are now outweighed by the cost of supporting them. Computer support in remote locations has always been problematic yet the AMSANT solution - the Shared Network - reduces the need for intervention by qualified computer professionals in remote locations. This enables our Member health services to focus on holistic primary health care delivery - not on IT problems.

The advent of managed services like Google Apps, Yahoo Mail and EBay serve the needs of a huge number of clients. These computer systems are financially viable because they are able to be run in a central location. They have become technically possible because they are all accessible without installing specialised software on the local computer.

In the same way, the Shared Network data centre in Sydney - the 'AC3' runs dedicated applications for AMSANT member services. The AC3 guarantees the applications will work consistently and Members' data will be secure as it is protected by several levels of security. There is a small amount of software to load on the remote computer but, apart from this, the remote computers in our Members' health services just need access to the internet.

The AC3's IT staff in Sydney manage many computer systems in a highly efficient manner, for a wide variety of client organisations. The 'economies of scale' that the Shared Network generates have presented significant cost benefits to AMSANT members.