Using Stratford on a 'Cloud Server' (In the cloud)

Here at Stratford we have been using Cloud servers for many years. We have separate 'cloud servers' for different functions. For example, our main web site (you are using it now) is on a Linux based cloud server. We find that Linux servers are much more dependable, faster and lower cost than other types of servers. The Stratford program will not run on a Linux based computer/server.

If you want to run your Stratford program on a cloud server, you must make sure that the cloud server is based on Microsoft Windows and NOT on Linux or other operating system. We are currently using Stratford on cloud servers based on:

1. Windows 2003 R2 standard (no longer supported by Microsoft, but it works fine)

2. Windows 2008 R2 We are using this to compile our updates and other internal functions.

3. Windows 2012 R2 (we do not have this, however, we do have clients using it successfully)

Stratford does not sell, license or support a cloud server. You will need to get that from an unrelated company. Your local hardware/operating system support person/company should be able to help you.

Using a cloud server is no different from a server that you have installed in your office if you access that server using RDP (Remote Desktop Program). Setting this up and maintaining it is something you will need to have local hardware/Operating system support do for you, unless you are very 'computer literate' and are willing to search the internet for answers as Stratford cannot support your cloud server. We can possibly help you with some advice based on our own use and our clients experiences.

After you sign up for your cloud server, you will be given instructions for logging in the first time. There is nothing special that you need to do to install and run the Stratford program on a cloud server as we have already made our software compliant and any special considerations have been built into the software. You will download and install the Stratford program onto the cloud server using Firefox/Chrome/other browser with the exact same installation program that you would use on a stand-alone computer or network in your office. At the time of installation, the operating system you are using will be determined by the Stratford installation program and any special considerations will be automatically handled with no special input from you. You are welcome to email us and ask questions about a specific cloud server and we may be able to help you.

Note that Stratford does not have any fees related to the number of users, workstations, etc that you are using. However, the cloud server DOES HAVE additional fees related to the number of simultaneous users logged in and acceptable performance issues, etc. Your local hardware/operating system support will be able to help you. Here are some things you will need to consider:

1. First of all, why would you even consider using a 'cloud server'?

• One of the main advantages is that you can access it with almost any computer almost anywhere in the world. You can use your computer in your office and also on your laptop when you are at home or in the hospital or on vacation anywhere in the world as long as you have an Internet connection. Stratford has always been a multi-user program so that more than one person can work in the program at the same time regardless of where it is installed.

• We find that the Stratford program has better performance on a cloud server especially if you have more than 3 users on a standard Ethernet network in your office.

• The installation and operation is much simpler. There are no wires to run. No 'router' is needed as in a regular Ethernet network. All you need is a computer with an Internet connection.

2. The cloud server will allow 2 users by default: an administrator, which you SHOULD NOT (but you can) use to run Stratford, and one regular user (which you will use to run Stratford). If you want more than these 2 users logged in simultaneously, you will be required to purchase additional licenses. This has nothing to do with Stratford as we do not care or need to know how many users you have. But Microsoft has designed their servers in such a way that you must purchase/lease additional licenses for additional users. Some cloud server vendors will not allow or at least will not help you set up more than the 2 'default' users. You may wish to search for a cloud vendor that will make this easy. We now use one, but warn they may be more expensive than installing additional licenses yourself.

3. Beginning with Windows 2008 R2 and later servers, you should plan on at least 4 gb memory. If you have more than the default 2 users you will probably want more than 4 gb memory, but that is a preference item related to performance. In general, the more memory you have the better performance you will have.

4. Regarding accessing your cloud server, you can do that with almost any workstation from Windows 2000 SP4 to Windows 8.x / Windows 10, Linux, Mac, Android, etc. All you need is an 'RDP client' This is free on a windows workstation and may be part of the operating system with no additional installation required. On XP and Win7 for example, it is located here:  C:\WINDOWS\system32\mstsc.exe. If you are using Linux, Mac, Android or other you will need to find an 'App'. Some are free and some may have a low cost license required. We have accessed the Stratford program on our cloud server using an ipad in an Apple store which accesses the internet through 'wi-fi' from a 'hot-spot' on a Samsung android phone using Sprint. You can be creative. Of course, this is not a practical way to use Stratford because of screen size and other limitations. Remember that Stratford is for Healthcare billing and so you should have a 'real' keyboard for data entry, although a screen keyboard will work. We have clients that have a tablet with attached USB keyboard and mouse doing data entry successfully. If you have heavy data entry requirements, we recommend that you use a standard desktop computer with mouse and keyboard. Remember there is no requirement for your workstation to have Microsoft Windows as long as the Stratford program is running on a cloud server that has a Microsoft Windows operating system. Also, there is no need for more memory on your local workstation regardless of the number of users. We have used a Windows 2000 computer with 2gb memory and it has the same performance as a Win7 computer with 12gb memory. Remember, the Stratford program is running on the server and nothing but a 'picture' of the program is displaying on your local computer so there is no need for a lot of memory for the RDP client.

We hope this brief introduction to cloud servers will help you. If you have other questions, please email. We will add to this web page as we get feedback from our users.

Send mail to webmaster@stratfordsoftware.com with questions or comments about this web site.
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Last modified: 09/04/13