This section describes the system requirements for a standard client server installation. For installations in Citrix environment see IDEAS under Citrix. For additional information how to choose the most convenient installation please see Comparing the types of installations

Please note that Mellowood Medical is a software vendor and does not supply, install or support hardware.

Installation components

An IDEAS installation consists out of the following components

1. Application server

2. Database server

3. Workstations

4. Network

The application and database servers can be located on the physical server, though it is recommended that they are resident on separate servers for installations with 10 or more users.

Application Server

• 4 core processor CPU

• 16 GB Memory (32GB RAM for optimum user experience)

• 250 GB of free hard drive space on D drive (See notes below)

  • separate network share for documents

• Windows 2022 or higher - (please contact Mellowood for older versions)

• Server backup software

• IDEAS can export data to Excel and use Word to create mail merges. Mellowood recommends Office 2010 or higher. Microsoft Office should be installed on the application server to facilitate Mellowood Support functions.

Database Server

• 4 processor CPU

• 32 GB Memory (64GB RAM for optimum user experience)

• 200GB of free hard drive space on drive D

  • separate Data and Log folders on different drive locations where possible

• Windows Server 2022 or higher - (please contact Mellowood for older versions)

• SQL Server 2022 or higher (See SQL server versions - compatibility with IDEAS )

• TLS 1.2 network encryption via port 1433

• RAID storage and Server backup software

Web Server

(External for Portals)

Open

Please find the most up to date document v03 attached above.

For the server setup, please ensure the following requirements are met:

• CPU: 4 processor CPU.

• Memory: 16 GB Memory (32GB RAM for optimum user experience).

• Storage:  50 GB to 100 GB of free hard drive space on the D drive.

• Operating System: Windows Server 2016 or later is required. For new web server installations, use the most current version available at the time of creation (e.g., Windows Server 2022 if the server is being set up in February 2023).

• Internet Information Services (IIS): Version 10 or newer.

• http://ASP.Net Core: Version 2.2 Runtime, specifically Windows Hosting Bundle v2.2.8. http://ASP.NET

• IP Configuration: The server must have an externally accessible IP address configured to use port 443, with domain mapping in place. An SSL Multi-Domain UC/SAN certificate is also required, and firewall rules must permit both inbound and outbound connections on port 443. Additionally, port 80 should be open to allow HTTP to HTTPS redirection.

• Database Server Access: Ensure there is access to the Ideas SQL database.

• Email Service: A configured SendGrid account with webhook capabilities or an SMTP relay server for sending emails is necessary.

• Administration Tools: Administrative access to the command prompt is essential for web deployment. The server must support Web Deploy (msdeploy.exe) and allow for the installation of server roles and features. PowerShell 5.0 is also required.

• SSL Certificate: Obtain an SSL Multi-Domain UC/SAN certificate. Once the SSL certificate is installed on the server, Mellowood Medical will configure the necessary bindings. The SSL certificate should include four URLs: two for the host site and two for the portal site, encompassing both UI and API.

• Sub-Domains: The clinic must assign a domain name if one has not been designated already. It should follow the format: 

The clinic's IT department will be responsible for configuring the DNS to point to the new web/portal server.

In addition to all the above, the portal database should reside on the same server as the IDEAS database. Although there are no specific technical requirements, we advise using a recent version of SQL Server to optimize the execution of portal scripts on both databases.

IDEAS Patient Portal Installation Options:

Two deployment options are available for the IDEAS Portal:

Option 1: Separated API and UI (Recommended)

Deployment of the API on a Web Server using IIS and hosting of the Static User Interface on Microsoft Azure. This modern architecture provides several benefits:

• Rapid Delivery: Utilizes Microsoft Azure’s infrastructure for swift delivery of the User Interface to both mobile and desktop users, enhancing responsiveness and access across devices.

• Performance: Distinct hosting of the UI and WebAPI maximizes performance.

• Efficiency: Azure’s infrastructure is specifically optimized for static content, improving load times.

• Simplicity: Deployment is streamlined with only two components – the WebAPI and database – needing to be installed on the clinic server.

• Data Compliance: Adheres to patient data storage regulations with secure data handling.

• Server Load: Lightens the load on the clinic’s server, allocating more resources to the WebAPI.

The High-Level Deployment Architecture Diagram below outlines the location of UI and WebAPI related to the rest of IDEAS EMR components:

Open

We have the flexibility to host the static UI in the clinic's own Microsoft Azure account or use Mellowood Medical's Azure account.

Option 2: Combined API and UI on Web Server

The traditional on-premises deployment involves hosting both the WebAPI and the User Interface on the IIS Web Server, with UI files stored locally on the server.

(Internal facing Clinic Lab Planning)

• 4 processor CPU

• 16 GB Memory (32GB RAM for optimum user experience)

• 50GB of free hard drive space on D drive

• Windows Server 2016 or higher - preferably Windows 2022 (please contact Mellowood for older versions)

  • IIS server version 6 or later

  • HTTP redirection (web server → common http features)

  • .NET Framework 4.8

  • Web deploy (https://www.iis.net/downloads/microsoft/web-deploy)

  • URL rewrite (https://www.iis.net/downloads/microsoft/url-rewrite)

• Clinic will need to get an SSL Cert

  • Mellowood will add the bindings when SSL cert is available on the Server.  Recommend SSL Multi-Domain UC / SAN certificate

  • Clinic will need to create a DNS name (suggest something like ‘https://labplan.clinicname.com’)

  • The application pool needs “enable 32-bit applications” set to true

• LabPlan is specifically designed to work with the Microsoft Surface Go

  • The Chrome browser is preferred

  • WiFi to connect to the Lab domain

  • USB-C connection to support USB cameras

(IIS Interface Server iWebAPI)

Webservice connections via Internal (8080) or optionally External (443)

• 4 processor CPU

• 16 GB Memory (32GB RAM for optimum user experience)

• 50GB of free hard drive space on D drive

• Windows Server 2016 or higher - preferably Windows 2022 (please contact Mellowood for older versions)

  • IIS server version 6 or later

  • .NET Framework 4.8

  • Web deploy (https://www.iis.net/downloads/microsoft/web-deploy )

  • URL rewrite (https://www.iis.net/downloads/microsoft/url-rewrite )

  • Server Manager>Web server (IIS)

  • ·        HTTP redirection (web server → common http features)

  • ·        .NET extensibility 4.7 (web server → Application development)

  • ·        .NET extensibility 3.5 (web server → Application development)

  • ·        Application initialization (web server → Application development)

  • ·        ASP.NET 4.7 and 3.5 (web server → Application development)

  • ·        ASP (web server → Application development)

  • ·        IIS Management Console (web server → Management Tools)

  • ·        IIS Management Scripts and Tools (web server → Management Tools)

• Clinic will need to get an SSL Cert

  • Mellowood will add the bindings when SSL cert is available on the Server.  Wildcard or SSL Multi-Domain UC / SAN certificate

  • Register a PROD domain name, for example https://iWebAPI.yourdomainname.com

  • Register a TEST domain name, for example https://test-iWebAPI.yourdomainname.com

  • Allow Mellowood login access to edit the 'C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts' file for routing between various IDEAS Microservice APIs and IDEAS iWebAPI

    • Example: 10.5.2.14 webapiise1.mmhosted.net

  • Please open the following PORTS and proceed with the DNS and port forwarding

    • For external access: 443 for HTTPS

    • For internal testing 8080

• Please install latest version of Postman

Workstations (to access IDEAS)

• Windows 10 or Windows 11 are recommended

• 2 GB internal memory or more

• The IDEAS scan driver requires the following .net framework 4.7.2 on the workstation https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet-framework/net472

• Minimum screen resolution 1024 x 768, high color (16 bit) or up (1280 x 900 or up recommended)

• IDEAS-EMR will access Microsoft libraries through an MSI file: Ideas 6 Runtimes with CrXIR2.msi

Network

Mellowood prefers the following network connections:

• 100 Mbps or faster wired network is preferred

• A reliable wireless network

• Fast VPN connection

• NOTE:  Anti-virus scanning software should be configured with an exception to activity related to the IDS.EXE process.

Backup

Backups of the servers should be considered on a frequent basis (typically daily, off peak). The site should have a proper backup policy in place. See Backup strategy for more information on making backups of ideas

Virtual servers

IDEAS can be installed on either virtual or physical servers. There is no preference and depends on the infrastructure architecture of the site.

IDEAS on non-Windows operating systems

IDEAS has been developed for the Windows operating system. We highly recommend that Windows be used for application and database servers. However, IDEAS can be accessed through a terminal server / Citrix installation. Other remote control solutions can also be used.

Recommended 3rd party software

IDEAS integrates with MS-Office and Crystal Reports.

Microsoft Office

IDEAS can export data to Excel and use Word to create mail merges. Mellowood recommends Office 2010 or higher. Microsoft Office should be installed on the application server to facilitate Mellowood Support functions.

Crystal Reports

IDEAS integrates with Crystal Reports version 10. The runtime version is automatically installed during setup. However, to create new reports, Mellowood recommends that the standard version of Crystal Reports XiR2 to be purchased installed on the application server

Support

Mellowood Medical requires remote access to to troubleshoot, support, maintain and upgrade IDEAS. Mellowood uses the following methods to connect to customer servers.

• Remote desktop (RDP) to Terminal Services

• VPN (Windows, Citrix or Cisco)

• Citrix

For the purpose of troubleshooting, Mellowood can use tools such as LogMeInRescue or GotoMeeting to view the user workstations for the purposes of training and troubleshooting. As part of the install process, Mellowood and the site will define the connection protocol.

Standard Reports

IDEAS download standard reports from the Mellowood servers. Please whitelist access to this URL: ftp://queries.mellowoodmedical.com

IDEAS Help Pages and access to Mellowood Support

Please whitelist access to this URL for Help Webpages: IDEAS-EMR Core IDEAS User Guide

Please whitelist access to this URL for Mellowood Service Portal: https://mellowoodmedical.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/4

Optional hardware

IDEAS integrates with various types of other hardware

Printers

IDEAS can print to any printer that is directly supported by the Windows environment. Special printers such as label printers may only have a proprietary driver, therefore they may require additional configuration.   Examples include: Dymo label printers (LabelWriter 450) and the Brady LabXpert. Please contact Mellowood Medical support for further assistance.

Document scanners

For IDEAS to be able to scan documents directly, a scanner must be TWAIN compatible.

Scanning over the network is also supported.

Ultrasound scanners

IDEAS supports many different ultrasound machines and newer models are added continuously. Most popular manufacturers are: GE, Analogic/BK (formerly Ultrasonix), SonixTouch and others. Contact Mellowood for specific models.

Video Capture devices

For the purpose of capturing images or even video from a video source, such as webcams, ultrasound machines and cameras on microscopes, IDEAS integrates with video capture cards and USB dongles which adhere to the Video For Windows standard.

For analogue signals Mellowood Medical recommends using the Conceptronic Home video creator, which is a USB dongle that takes S-VHS or or a composite signal to capture images. This dongle is widely available.

Touch screens

Touch screens are supported within IDEAS. Mellowood is constantly upgrading the application to further take advantage of touch screen features.

iPad

Since IDEAS is a Windows based application, IDEAS does not natively run on an iPad. However IDEAS can run on an iPad through a Citrix or terminal services implementation.

Dual monitors

IDEAS has the capability of using dual monitors. Mellowood encourages clients to consider having dual monitors available for key members of staff (Physicians and Managers find such a setup very helpful). Moreover, IDEAS is best viewed on monitors of 17 inches or greater.