---
title: More Practical use of OpenSource In Healthcare
description: More Practical use of OpenSource In Healthcare
---

# More Practical use of OpenSource In Healthcare

May 29, 2008

[practice management](https://chipsblog.pcc.com/tag/practice-management)

In a way, this reference below could have nothing to do with healthcare. It could be about a bank or software company or real estate agency as much as a hospital, but I think folks need to see their peers in action for it to hit home. Bottom line: every business ought to take its head out of the sand and consider using the various opensource solutions. Note that the benefits are more than just the money. I've [written about this before](https://chipsblog.pcc.com/open-source-software/) more than once.

So, my excerpt straight from [Computerworld](http://www.computerworld.com/). Or [read the entire thing](http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9090419&pageNumber=1).

> **Hospital dumps Microsoft Exchange for Linux-based clone**
> 
> In the end, it all came down to the price
> 
> ...After conducting an evaluation of alternatives, the hospital decided not to upgrade to a newer version of Exchange. Instead, it went with a Linux-based Exchange clone that it felt could meet the needs of its 700 users without forcing them and IT to learn a whole new system...
> 
> ..."We have estimated that PostPath saved us 50% over the cost of Exchange," Fallo said, not counting what Microsoft Corp. would have charged for maintenance and support...
> 
> ...The hospital also went from three staffers managing e-mail to one...
> 
> ...one client difference that has worked in Fallo's favor is the AJAX-powered Zimbra Web mail client that PostPath uses. The hospital likes it better than the Outlook Web Access client of Exchange 5.5...
> 
> ... Fallo said that PostPath also has solved message store issues that led to some painful management in Exchange...
> 
> ...n addition, the hospital has been able to give e-mail to 105 employees who never had the service because of Exchange's storage limitations.
> 
> Message recovery also is easier...

There was one enormous benefit in there that didn't get enough attention: the hospital's exchange server needed ***three*** people to administer email for only 700 users! That's crazy! What are the savings there, alone? Ay yi yi.

Enjoy.

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