Medical Software Associates - Our Development Influences
In 1992, Medical Software Associates' founder was asked
to find a medical office management system for three physicians. The requirements
were quite simple. The system had to support accounts receivables functions,
medical records, electronic data interchanges and other important features.
He found lots of options. They were:
UNIX and DOS-based system which were not very scalable,
and did not allow the medical practice to inexpensively add on other
products to create efficiencies
UNIX systems which were so proprietary that it was
impossible for medical practices to use the systems for anything but
that vendor's software
UNIX hardware consisting of two terminals and a printer
were going for anywhere from $14,000-$22,000. Additionally, the annual
support costs for these systems was typically in the multiple thousand
dollar range, with new features and upgrades coming in separately at
even higher costs!
DOS solutions which were simple starter systems.
These systems were typically feature-limited, and offered little, if
any, support. Pricing for these systems was as low as $495, and were
frequently supported by the salespeople themselves!
No single software system which supported both accounts
receivables and medical records within a Windows environment.
With the decidedly limited options open to physicians,
Medical Software Associates decided to develop a modern day Medical Office
Management system using a relational database (Microsoft's 32 bit Visual
FoxPro). MSA's goal was to offer a functionally rich product which uses
all the features available within the popular Microsoft Windows® environment.
As a result, the encounterManager practice management software system
was developed, and has been continuously refined to the point that it
and our other suite of products offer the best value for those who wish
to invest in a system that meets their needs to successfully practice
medicine in today's difficult healthcare environment.