Synchronisation is the process by which a terminal exchanges data with a host so that the two can hold the same information for a particular doctor. The terminal receives data that is relevant to the particular doctor, and the host receives data that the doctor has input or changed.
This is very useful for doctors who work away from the rooms where they cannot have a connection to the server. It allows access to all relevant practice information wherever the doctor is.
Where there are multiple doctors in the practice the information sent to the terminal will be that relevant to that doctor.
The requirements are :
- a properly installed terminal version on the doctors personal computer (usually home or laptop)
- a properly installed host version on the practice computer (usually in the rooms)
- the terminal has to be registered twice (with the same purchased key) – once on the doctor’s machine and then also with the host. This is to ensure that the host only synchronises with one particular data file on one particular terminal computer. This is a security feature and prevents loss of data through accidental synchronization with the wrong computer.
- The terminal must be able to connect to the internet, but this need not be live until the time that the doctor wants to synchronise. The connection speed of a dial up modem is sufficient.
- The host needs to be connected to the internet with a known IP address (it need not be fixed, but the connection IP at the time of synchronization must be entered on the terminal. Port 18001 must be open on the host computer.
To enter the communication details in the Terminal, open Utilities then Global Preferences.
Global preferences dialogue box:
The host application registers the terminal vi a special terminal key.
