Don’t Let Old Servers Hold Down Your Practice

Plan for a Smooth Transition with Henry Schein TechCentral Business Solution

On July 14, 2015, Microsoft will no longer support Windows Server 2003. Continuing to run your server on Windows 2003 can have a profound effect on your dental practice.

How Will This Impact Your Practice?
Your server is the backbone of your network, and it usually houses all of your data, including financial records and Patient Health Information (PHI). Additionally, new software applications and hardware devices may not be compatible with Windows Server 2003. Continuing to run Windows Server 2003 when Microsoft stops releasing updates puts your practice at risk. A solid migration plan to a new server can help you protect your practice.

Do You Need A New Server?
With the industry move towards more digital technology in the dental practice, now is an excellent time to upgrade your server hardware to meet current and future needs. A number of IT experts have recently recommended new hardware when migrating from Windows Server 2003 to a new platform because existing servers are typically outdated and cannot handle the demands of modern businesses.

Henry Schein TechCentral assessment.A complimentary TechCentral assessment by Henry Schein can determine whether your current server is sufficient and if not, what your options are. TechCentral experts can help you determine whether you need a new server by evaluating the following:

 • The age of the current server
• The amount of data stored on the server
• The method of copying or transferring the data

If your server does not meet the minimum requirements, you will need to upgrade. If it barely meets the minimum requirements, you should consider upgrading to get the most from new hardware.

What Are The Benefits Of Migrating?
Compliance: new server hardware keeps you up-to-date with industry-wide regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA. Non-compliance risks and costs can be dramatic for dental practices.

Security: by upgrading your server, you will benefit from regular patches and updates that address vulnerabilities or bugs in software. If you stay with Windows Server 2003, new patches and updates will not be available, and cyber attackers who find new vulnerabilities will be able to exploit them at will.

Cost Savings: Using legacy servers after support ends can quickly escalate your operating costs due to:

 • Increased maintenance costs
• Network segmentation (to isolate your 2003 servers)
• Stronger firewall protections

Power Your Practice: new servers offer you the performance, reliability and security you need to meet your current and future business needs. Some of the benefits include:

 • Expandability to meet a growing practice’s needs
• RAID storage capability that delivers both high performance and redundancy in case of hard-drive failure

What Can I Expect From The Migration Process?
When you work with a trusted partner like Henry Schein TechCentral, you position your practice for success. The typical migration for dental practices should only take a day or two because of the expertise of our TechCentral install experts. For practices with multiple sites or servers, TechCentral experts can help evaluate your requirements and recommend the right equipment to meet your needs.

Contact Henry Schein TechCentral at 877-483-0382 for assistance in upgrading your practice’s server or other technology. You can also visit us on the web at www.HenryScheinTechCentral.com.


Originally published in Sidekick Magazine