Plexis Quantum Choice Technology Platform

N-Tier Architecture Improves Scalability and Web Integration

In the fast-changing world of healthcare, functionality and stability are no longer enough to maintain an organization's position in the marketplace. Businesses must be able to quickly adapt applications to meet new business requirements; data must be integrated across the enterprise to maximize efficiency, reduce costs, and meet the challenges of an evolving healthcare market.

The advent of powerful Web applications that allow consumers to access core business systems has accelerated the business cycle with improved data sharing and efficient online transaction processing. As a result, costs are reduced and organizations connected to the Internet can quickly respond to market changes and opportunities.

To meet these demands, Plexis Quantum Choice is built using N-Tier architecture for complete scalability and ease of integration. N-Tier architecture differs a great deal from conventional 2-tier systems, in which core applications and data are hosted on a mainframe computer that can be accessed by various clients. Traditional 2-tier architecture is limited due to the heavy interaction between clients and server, particularly when Internet integration is introduced. Conventional client-server systems do not have the bandwidth to handle Internet traffic. When usage exceeds a 2-tier systems capacity, it is often necessary to replace the entire system.

The software structure of 2-tier systems makes it difficult to change or add new functionality. The business logic of 2-tier systems is intertwined with presentation logic and database access protocols, making it necessary to re-create business rules in order to launch an application on the Web.

N-Tier architecture partitions systems and software to enable a flexible, building block approach to system design and growth. N-Tier design differs from conventional 2-tier systems by partitioning application functionality into three independent layers: Presentation logic, which is typically hosted on front-end web servers; business logic, which is hosted on mid-tier application servers; and database management, which is hosted on back-end database servers. This design physically separates the presentation, business and database functions, making the system easier to maintain, scale and integrate with other applications. The hardware and software for each of the three layers can also be independently scaled and upgraded and new interfaces can be added without re-creating business logic.

Microsoft .NET technology: Seamless integration for tailored solutions

Plexis Quantum Choice employs Microsoft .NET technology to seamlessly connect data and devices across the Web. This technology enables the use of XML-based applications that share and combine information and functionality on any platform. XML is standard programming language that makes it easy to configure specific functions without changing the source code.

By enabling the use of XML-based applications, Quantum Choice's .NET platform offers healthcare organizations significant benefits. These benefits include 1) open standards such as XML recognize all programming languages; 2) XML removes barriers to data sharing and software integration; 3) XML makes it easy to exchange data, and .NET software gives users the ability to work with the data; and 4) XML makes it easy to tailor custom solutions faster and more inexpensively than ever before.