Monday, November 17, 2008

What is Interoperability?

“Ability of two or more systems or components to exchange information and to use the information that has been exchanged.”

(Source: IEEE Standard Computer Dictionary: A Compilation of IEEE Standard Computer Glossaries, IEEE, 1990)

Top Ten Mistakes in IT Decisions On Health Infomatic System..

  1. Not Using a Structured Process - Many organizations plunge head first without a clear and structured plan.
  2. Not Defining Needs Beforehand - The best way to determine which solution will work best for your organization is to identify your needs. To avoid overlooking important functionality, you may find it helpful to start with a good list of requirements.
  3. Hiring a Consultant who is Really a Reseller - Many consulting firms not only provide help selecting computer systems, they also act as re-sellers and implementers of enterprise applications. You may not be exposed to all possible vendor solutions, just the ones with whom your consulting firm has an affiliation.
  4. Paying Too Much Attention to Bells and Whistles - Innovative new product features may seem cutting edge and exciting don’t let it distract you. Concentrate on functionality you will use every day. Most sales reps are adept at dazzling you with fancy features.
  5. Not Including Key Users in Selection Process - Do not select a solution without soliciting meaningful input from the users. At the beginning of your selection project, form a selection team with representatives from all affected departments. One of the biggest frustrations users face in selection decisions is being sidestepped by the IT department.
  6. Buying More Than You Need - Without a clearly defined list of user requirements, you’ll tend to buy more functionality than you actually need. Select a system that allows for growth and enhancements--if and when you need them.
  7. Allowing Vendors to Drive the Process - Vendors are highly skilled at showing you what they want to show you and answering questions the way they want to answer them. To level the playing field, you need a clearly designed and defined selection process that will ensure you receive responses in a standardized format.
  8. Allowing the “Powers That Be”to Choose the System
  9. Confusing the Salesperson with the Product
  10. Not Using an RFP Process