Solution Spotlight

Most health systems pay for support and/or maintenance on hardware and software on an annual or multi-year basis. This includes clinical and financial software applications and desktop and network equipment, as well as data center hardware and software. Usually, support is manufacturer-provided and purchased either directly or through a Value Added Reseller (VAR). Third Party Maintenance (TPM) - Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)-authorized/OEM-independent maintenance – is increasingly common in the hardware and software support market, with a thriving ecosystem of independent support providers for specific software, server, storage and networking equipment. IT organizations selectively use TPM providers to cost-effectively extend IT asset life and control OEM-forced upgrades. TPM, also known as aftermarket hardware and/or software support or post-warranty support, is popular when equipment warranty or service agreements end. TPM can be a cost-effective alternative to OEM support. TPM can offer multiple benefits: Cost: TPM providers are typcially significantly less expensive than the OEM Flexibility: TPM can be more flexible than OEM support. Responsiveness: TPM can often be more responsive to issues than OEM support. Communication: TPM providers are directly linked to OEM Level 3 support. Expertise: TPM providers offer broad expertise in hardware/software brands and manufacturers. Remote monitoring: TPM can provide remote monitoring to help identify potential network issues that could expose company data to cyber threats. TPM services can include: Software support including security patching Hardware support to include Replacement or repair of hardware On-site engineering assistance Remote monitoring Operating support Data backup CASE STUDIES A Southwest children’s hospital was renewing hardware support on its data storage equipment. After thorough evaluation of its requirements, they decided to identify and solicit bids for 3rd party support for one year. One requirement was that the selected vendor had certified engineers and replacement hardware, if needed. Additionally, the vendor needed to have the ability to integrate into the hospital’s trouble ticket system. With Optisave’s guidance, an appropriate 3rd party vendor was selected, and at a 60% lower cost than OEM support. The Microsoft Unified Support agreement was coming up for renewal at large Mid-Atlantic health system. Renewal cost was far greater than the health system had budgeted so they were willing to look outside Microsoft for support. Several qualified vendors were identified and an RFI was issued. Ultimately the health system worked with Optisave experts to select a vendor that not only had a significant amount of experience with health systems, but was also more than half the cost of what Microsoft was going to charge for the renewal. Optisave works with healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, and other complex organizations to determine whether Third Party Maintenance is right for them and select the ideal provider. Contact us today to start a conversation.

Contact Centers play a crucial role in achieving superior customer service. This may include Digital Front Door, Internal Help Desk, and all other communications contacts, internal or external to the organization, inbound, outbound, or blended.

Optisave’s integrated advisory services provide solutions to key IT issues challenging organizations today. With consolidation and reorganization in complex industries such as healthcare, manufacturing and financial services, an important, yet often overlooked factor is how to optimize IT products and services after organizational transition.

Optisave, LLC assesses clients’ IT hardware, software and telecom services to help optimize IT purchasing and support contracts for appropriate configuration, utilization and licensing requirements. For any organization, and especially businesses experiencing revenue challenges or unforecasted expenses, this often over-looked review can be a critical tool to avoid unnecessary costs. Optisave helps financial and IT purchasing decision-makers at large hospitals and healthcare systems to “right-size” their contracts to minimize costs.

Optisave provides comprehensive IT cost reduction & performance improvement advisory services. For nearly two decades, Optisave’s team of experts has completed hundreds of client engagements including thousands of individual initiatives for hospitals, health care systems and other IT- intensive organizations nationwide. Part and parcel of our extensive IT advisory services includes in-depth contract review for over 400 clients.

Business Intelligence (BI) is the use of data by complex entities such as health systems or integrated delivery networks (IDNs), manufacturing, or financial services organizations to help make timely and appropriate business and operating decisions.

This year, more than ever, healthcare systems and other complex data and technology-intensive entities realized that IT is the essential glue binding all mission-critical operations and touching all parts of the organization.

IT is the GLUE which holds together the operations at hospitals and other complex organizations. It provides technologies and services that enable up-to-the-minute information, accurate and reliable communications, and protection of sensitive data. Information Technology (IT) impacts every area of a health system, from keeping the lights on, to break-fix, to implementing new initiatives.

At a time when organizations are investing significantly in digital hardware and infrastructure, the cost of printing documents remains a significant expense – and one often overlooked. The business model where everyone has their own dedicated device and everything gets printed doesn’t sense make in today’s business environment.