| Feature |
PDAStandard |
PDAProfessional |
| Server Type |
The server is used for storing files. There are no active processes that run on the server. |
The databases reside on the server and the database server processes run on the server. |
| Data Store |
Data is stored in an Access '97 database format; however, we install the required drives to access PDA databases. A retail version of Microsoft Access on the client or server machine is not needed. |
Microsoft SQL server is required to store the data. It is the responsibility of the customer to arrange license of Microsoft SQL Server. PDA Professional is compatible with all versions of SQL Server 2000. |
| Share Server |
Server can be shared with other applications; however, due to documented discrepancies with Novell and Microsoft Access, it is not recommended that PDA Standard be placed on a Novell network configuration. |
We do not recommend sharing the server with other applications as if one is running a resource intensive task it may slow other application and vice-versa. It will also be very difficult if we share our server with another vendor as it may cause support / upgrade / rights and other related issues. We cannot share our SQL Server instance with any other product as we maintain our own SQL logins / rights etc. |
| Server OS |
Server is used just as a file server hence operating system from which a share can be accessed by PDA users is sufficient. |
Windows operating system that meets SQL Server requirements, is required i.e. Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 and Windows 2003. Please check SQL Server 2000 documentation for exact service pack and version requirements. |
| Client OS |
Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT Server and Workstation, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows 2003 can be used for client machines. |
Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT Server and Workstation, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows 2003 can be used for client machines. PDA Professional is also compatible with Windows Terminal Server. |
| Support for Palm Pilots |
Both PDA Standard and PDA Professional support Palm Pilots for data entry. Once data is entered using the handheld it can be synchronized to the main server. Please consult Palm Pilot hardware and software requirements for model nos. supported etc. |
| Support for Pocket PC |
Both PDA Standard and PDA Professional support Pocket PCs for data entry. Once data is entered using the handheld it can be synchronized to the main server. Please consult Pocket PC hardware and software requirements for model nos. supported etc. |
| Offline data entry |
Both PDA Standard and PDA Professional support offline data entry, so that data can be keyed in when server is not available. Once data is entered in the offline mode it can be synchronized to the main server. Limited reporting, analyzing and graphing capability is also available for presentation purposes. |
| Integrated Online Help |
No |
Integrates with online documentation which has concepts and terminology for the product, step-by-step instructions and knowledge base articles. |
| Build/Import your own Studies / Review Templates |
Both PDA Standard and PDA Professional allow you create your own studies / review templates giving you the flexibility to monitor the indicators that are important to your organization. We constantly monitor the changing environment and keep updating our web site with the latest review templates, which can be imported to into Plato Data Analyzer. |
| Review Template Profiles |
Not available |
Different profiles for the same review template can be created. Thus each time you want to run the report for different set of criterion you do not have to go and modify the criterion state in the definition. Which means you have different profiles for different purpose. |
| Pull List |
Not available |
Pull List allows managers to create a list of Worksheets, they want to be reviewed. The reviewers can then print the Topics and Criterion for these Pull List worksheets. Once reviewed, managers can monitor which worksheets have been reviewed. |
| Canned Report |
Pre-formatted reports are available. |
Pre-formatted reports are available; however, PDA Professional allows you to customize what columns you want to include on the reports. It also provides more flexibility in selecting which parameters you want to filter the data. PDA Professional also allows to store report profiles for specific Review Templates / Studies. |
| Analyzer and Graphs |
The Analyzer is a unique tool which provides n-dimensional view of the data. Both provide you with 4 different types of graphs i.e. Stacked Bar Chart, Bar Chart, Pie Chart and Standard Deviation Graph (Control Chart). |
The Analyzer is a unique tool which provides n-dimensional view of the data. PDA Professional allows you to customize what dimensions you want on the analyzer and for what parameters you want to filter the data. Both provide you with 4 different types of graphs i.e. Stacked Bar Chart, Bar Chart, Pie Chart and Standard Deviation Graph (Control Chart). Additionally PDA Professoinal plots Pareto Charts. |
| Export reports |
Reports can be exported to Microsoft Word, Excel and ACSII file. |
Reports can be exported to Microsoft Word, Excel and ACSII file. PDA Professional also provides the ability to export the data to XML files and .CSV. |
| Email/Print preview reports |
Report have to be exported first and then manually emailed. Print preview is not available. |
Reports, worksheets, attribution types etc. can be emailed directly from the program without the extra step of first exporting them. Reports, worksheets, attribution types etc. can be print previewed first before printing. |
| Aggregate reporting data across review templates |
Not available |
Data is aggregated across various review templates for the same criterion, thus giving you a summary picture of an indicator. |
| Report Templates |
Not available |
If you run a report with the same parameters, they can be saved as report templates. |
| Letters |
Not Available |
The system allows you to generate a letter with addresses for non-compliant Physicians, Departments, etc.. using this report. The letter lists the topics and criterion which are non-compliant along with the Worksheet Fields. You can choose which Worksheet Fields should appear in the physician's, department's unit's etc. |
| Build your own Attribution Types |
Not available |
System tables can be extended so that you can track attribution types of your choice e.g. specialty, nurse auditor, diagnosis code etc. |
| Build your own Attribution Properties |
Not available |
Once attribution types have been defined you can further define what properties you want to track for these attribution types e.g. a practitioner attribution type might include properties of practitioner specialty, practitioner department, practitioner license number, etc. |
| Different property values for each facility |
Not available |
PDA Professional was designed from ground up to address multiple facilities. Same Attribution Type Object can have different property value for different facility e.g. a practitioner can have ID of 435 for Facility A and ID of 8734 for Facility B. Data entry and reporting can then be done using different IDs for different facilities. |
| Build your own Worksheet Fields |
Not available |
You can define your own worksheet header and criterion fields e.g. you may want to track review date. |
| Summary Worksheets |
Not Available |
Bulk data can be entered in worksheets i.e. you can enter more than one value for a criterion at a time. A summary worksheet can be used to enter historical data or if data was gathered using some other tool outside PDA. |
| Auto Generate Field |
Not Available |
A new unique number is generated by the system for this type of field. This is very beneficial to be used as a Primary key in a Review Template when no other unique field(s) can be identified. |
| Create on the Fly |
Not Available |
Attribution Types Objects can created at the time of data entry. When you are doing data entry and you realize that a particular physician is not in the list, then it can be created from there, instead of going to Management Console. |
| Security Model |
Rights are defined for each user of the system thus each time a new user added to the system access rights need to be defined for him. |
Rights are defined on roles thus each time a new user is added he just need to be made part of a role. Further rights can be defined for each facility that gives you more control in who can do what for which facility. |
| Password Policy |
None |
Passwords can be congigured for strength (weak, medium, strong), length, expiry. |
| Rights on Saved Reports |
Once a report is saved in anyone who has rights to reports can view them. |
Once a report is saved, the report creator can decide who all can access theses reports analyzers and graphs. |
| Rights on Topics |
Not available |
You can define various access level for each topics for a given facility. |
| Audit Trail |
Not available |
Audit trail for important events e.g. deletion, creation of attribution type, review template, login logout etc. is maintained. |
| Licensing Model |
Only supports workstation licensing model |
Both workstation and concurrent. Concurrent licensing model allows you to install the client on as many workstations as you want, allowing n number of users to use it at a time. |
| Generic ADT Interface |
Not Available |
Interface with your host system to get patient demographic and visit information. This means you save data entry time and effort required at the time of worksheet data entry. |
| Windows Vista Compatible |
Not Available |
As by default all applications in Windows Vista run under the user context and have limited access to the computer system. PDA Professional is compatible with the new operating system. |
| Tooltip |
Not Available |
For each of the modules there is a tooltip available. The tooltip provides a quick overview of the module and gives a link for detailed instructions. Customize the tooltips for your organization. |
| Standard number |
Not Available |
For each criterion you can associate with a standard number. This can also be used for storing EP numbers. You can run the Analyzer cube by standard number. |
| Move criterion to a different topic |
Not Available |
You have the option to move just a criterion from one topic heading to another. |
| Archive criterion |
Not Available |
If you no longer want to capture data from a criterion you have the option to archive that criterion and will be hidden from the worksheet data entry screen. |
| Mandatory criterion |
Not Available |
Other than Yes, No and N/A criterion can be defined as Mandatory. This means at the time of data entry the users will not be able to save the worksheet until they have answered those questions. |
| Lock worksheets |
Not Available |
Worksheets can now be frozen in time. Once locked they cannot be edited. |
| Multiple edit |
Not Available |
You can select more than one worksheet at a time to edit their header field values. |
| Find and Replace |
Not Available |
Worksheet header and criterion fields can now be replaced across the board. |
