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Are you ready for Windows 8.1 and Server 2012 End of Life?

Posted June 23, 2022 by Nathan N.

Microsoft Windows 8.1 and Server 2012 Operating Systems

If you currently have computers running Windows 8.1 or if your server is running Windows Server 2012 it is time to start thinking about replacing or upgrading. Microsoft is ending extended support for Windows 8.1 in January 2023 and Windows Server 2012 in October 2023, bringing both to End-Of-Life status.

What does it mean when an operating system is End-of-Life?

End of Life status means Microsoft will no longer develop patches or fixes for any newly discovered bugs or security vulnerabilities within this version of the software nor will they provide technical support. When operating systems are no longer supported by Microsoft, other software developers, such as practice management developers, will stop building and testing in unsupported operating systems.

How does running an end-of-life operating system affect my business?

When an operating system is no longer receiving security updates, exploitable vulnerabilities will likely emerge and could create a security risk for your business. In addition, you may be unable to install newer versions of other software programs on computers running an unsupported operating system.

How long do business computers normally last?

Every single piece of hardware inside a PC will have its own average lifetime, but in general a PC will last anywhere from 5-7 years. As computers age, components will start to wear out and could leave you with unexpected down-time. Components can be replaced but keep in mind that as your computer ages, the more difficult it can become to find an available or compatible replacement part. We recommend practices begin planning for computer replacement when systems start to approach the 5-year mark. Some of our practices choose to stagger computer replacements to minimize the impact on their budget.

New computers are not in the budget this year, do I have any options?

Depending on your hardware compatibility, you may be able to upgrade Windows 8.1 to Windows 10. Keep in mind that some hardware is not compatible with Windows 10 and is unlikely to be compatible with Windows 11 (released October 2021). If your computer was manufactured in the last decade, it may be able to be upgraded to Windows 10. It is recommended, though, to check the manufacturers’ website(s) to verify the models of your system’s motherboard, CPU, and GPU are compatible with and supported on Windows 10.

I am interested in upgrading to Windows 11, is there anything I should know?

Windows update

XLDent practice management software is compatible with Windows 11. However, there are some manufacturers, x-ray manufacturers in particular, that are still testing compatibility with Windows 11 and at the time of this post have not guaranteed full functionality of their devices with this operating system. We recommend purchasing computers based on Windows 11 specifications https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications and installing Windows 10 on computers running software or hardware that is not yet cleared for use with Windows 11. Computers running Windows 10 can be upgraded to Windows 11 once connected devices are compatible with Windows 11. There is currently no charge to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11.

All my computers are using Windows 10, is there anything I need to know?

Windows 10 End of Life is October 2025. Microsoft has provided a tool to let you know if your computer can run Windows 11 and if not, will provide information about incompatibility. It can be downloaded from the official Microsoft site here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11#pchealthcheck.

I would like to start planning for a future upgrade, what are my next steps?

XLDent’s hardware team has over 50 combined years of experience and is happy to help provide you with a free assessment of your systems and make recommendations for future changes. Contact us today to get started.

Posted in: Dental Software, Dental Technology, Electronic Dental Records, IT Services, Leave a comment/ No Comments »
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World Backup Day 2022: Why backing up your data is important

Posted March 30, 2022 by Jennifer G

Most of us have gone through losing some sort of data from a computer, mobile phone or tablet. Whether it’s personal, such as pictures, school assignments, or tax files, or business-related data like patient records, x-rays, or accounting files, losing important information unexpectedly can be a nightmare.

World Backup Day

Data backup has your back!

The 31st of March is World Backup Day and serves as a reminder to take measures to prevent data loss. However, a data backup plan is not limited to one day of the year. It is vital to follow a backup strategy throughout the year as a continuous cyber hygiene process.

What is data backup?

Most everyone using a computer either in their practice or at home is likely aware of what a data backup is but it’s worthy of a quick review. A backup is a separate copy of all your important files. Data backup guides you to save a copy in another secure location rather than storing all your data in one device. In case anything happens to your device, your data will stay safe and can be restored easily.

Why should you backup your data?

Data loss is way more common than anyone would think. It usually happens in several forms, such as hard drive failures, cyber-attacks, human errors, or physical theft. The event of data loss urges the need to implement a data backup plan.

Facts and figures about data loss

  • 30% of all computers are already infected with malware1
  • 29% of data loss cases are caused by accident2
  • It is expected that ransomware attacks a business every 11 seconds by the end of 20213

How XLDent helps you protect your practice’s data

When backing up your data, consider the solution that best suits your data protection strategy. Not all solutions are equal! It’s important to consider the method (how and when the backup is done) and the service that accompanies it. XLBackup is a managed and fully automated, online, off-site service making it easy for your organization to restore lost files, images and critical data during a disaster recovery situation. Automated means it is scheduled to run at regular intervals (daily) so a current copy of data is available if needed. XLDent conducts routine audits of the backup with each client to ensure the service is best meeting their needs. The backup service is managed by XLDent’s team of experts who know your dental business. Whether you are using XLDent Practice Management Software or another practice or imaging software, this offsite backup solution is compatible with all.

Resources
1Dataprot, Malware Stat. 2021
2Ponemon Institute, 2013
3https://cybersecurityventures.com/global-ransomware-damage-costs-predicted-to-reach-20-billion-usd-by-2021/

Posted in: Dental Software, Dental Technology, Electronic Dental Records, IT Services, XLDent Company, Leave a comment/ No Comments »
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A Better Patient and Doctor Experience with XLDent

Posted June 21, 2021 by Beth

XLDent_Better Patient and Doctor Experience

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The right software in a doctor’s practice can become a crucial partner in patient care and the business’s success. The XLDent Suite and accompanying electronic solutions offer a robust set of benefits to enhance both the patient and the doctor’s experience in an XLDent office. We’ve long understood from working with dental offices like yours that efficient service and open communication channels are essential to the doctor-patient experience. At XLDent, we design software around actual dental workflows so that the overall features of the products we deliver can enhance dental practices like your own. We’ve also taken care of the thoughtful details that make the patient’s experience better, such as designing our software to cut down on waiting time and use a patient’s preferred method of communication.

 

Experience an efficient, genuinely mobile solution

XLDent offers tablet-friendly, mobile solutions for those doctors, clinicians, and other busy staff who are always on the go. Dentists can access our software from any location in the office, and with XLDent Cloud, XLDent can even be accessed outside of the office, making it a truly mobile solution that doctors love. 

 

Patients love mobile solutions, too. For example, our automated and paperless Patient Check-In allows you to facilitate patient check-in electronically. Patients can check-in to their appointments with tablet form completion and an intelligent patient document center that serves them the correct paperwork without the paper.

 

Realtime dental records for you and your patients

Live patient records on an accessible tablet are the most convenient way to communicate patient care to build relationships while improving the efficiency and productivity of your practice. XLDent’s Electronic Dental Records offer realistic tooth charts, built-in restorative and periodontal exams, and progress notes in one easy-to-use, mobile system. In addition, our digital image integration will enable you to manage digital x-rays with image storage that seamlessly integrates directly to the patients’ charts. 

 

Details for lasting patient relationships 

XLDent has taken great care to add those special touches that keep patients coming back to your office. For example, XLDent’s patient portal solution, XLPortal, is a dental web-based solution that allows you to offer convenience to your patients, build relationships, improve office efficiency and increase your productivity. 

 

XLDent also provides an integrated eReminder Service solution that patients love. This comprehensive, automated patient communication solution works seamlessly with the XLDent software suite for your dental office.

 

Posted in: Dental Practice Management Software, Dental Software, Dental Technology, Dental Web-based Solutions, Electronic Dental Records, Electronic Insurance Services, IT Services, XLDent Cloud, XLDent Company, Leave a comment/ No Comments »

Your 2021 Backup Audit

Posted March 24, 2021 by Beth

XLD_BAckup_Blog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is that time of year again! World Backup Day is on Wednesday, March 31 this year. It is a great time to review your backup procedure and disaster recovery plan with a 2021 Backup Audit. The following questions are what you need to know your backup solution is on track for the coming year.

 

1) Is my practice creating a backup?

If you are not sure of the answer, you’ll want to find out as soon as possible. Backups are the only way to protect your practice from catastrophic data loss of all your patient charts and health information. To find out that your practice is not creating a backup of any kind should be a wake-up call to prioritize a new process. 

 

2) How is your backup created?

Practices can create backups in a variety of ways. One might manually run a backup using a software program at regular intervals. They might store those backups both on an external device and offsite to the cloud to create a reliable redundancy. Backups should always be encrypted, and you should also know the process for restoring a backup and test that the process and your backup files both work. 

 

Make a list of your answers to these questions so that you can review your current backup plan for any flaws:

  • Who is in charge of running the backups? 
  • What software program, if any, is running the backups? 
  • Where is it installed? 
  • When and how often do the backups run? 
  • Where does the backup go? 
  • Flash drive, external hard drive, network storage appliance, offsite to the cloud? 
  • Are the backups only on one device, or is there redundancy?
  • Is there a time in which data expires from the backup? 
  • If a file was deleted several months ago, would I be able to restore it from a backup? 
  • Are the backups encrypted? 
  • What is the process for restoring data from the backup?

 

What does the backup include?

Make a list of all your most important programs and where the resulting data is stored. Compare that list to what is included within each backup that you create. You may already back up your practice management database and patient x-rays but overlook data from your accounting software or email. Include anything that you would want to restore to a brand new computer in your backup. 

 

Does your backup work?

The only way to make sure that your backups are reliable is to conduct a periodic audit. An audit should check to see that the backup is complete of all of the data you need to include, that the backup is correct, that the backup file is not corrupt or too large for the external and cloud spaces in which it will be saved, and that your restore process is functional.

 

Could this process be more manageable?

With the help of a trusted solution like XLBackup, your backups are already sorted. From secure encrypted data transmission to an offsite location, daily monitoring to ensure your backups are running without error, annual audits of your backups to restoring your data in a disaster recovery situation, XLDent makes your backups our business. 

 

Posted in: Dental Software, Dental Technology, Electronic Dental Records, IT Services, XLDent Company, Leave a comment/ No Comments »
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New Year, New Dental Practice: Why new dental practices choose XLDent

Posted January 15, 2021 by Beth

New Year New Practice Blog Banner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New dental practices are often hit with a range of decisions to make all at once. As a new dental practice owner, finding the right software for your practice right away can make a significant difference in your business’s success down the road. Similarly, there are substantial advantages to implementing a new software suite like XLDent as early on as possible in your practice’s launch to take advantage of our proven workflows and customizable features for newly established dental practices. 

 

Dentists and their staff should not need to be technology experts to run a successful dental practice. Certain software systems are often much better for new practices because of their usability design. More experienced software users might be more proficient with any given software product in your dental practice. Still, the good news is that even staff who are new to using software tools as part of their dental practice workflow improve at similar rates to experts when the software systems themselves are designed with new users in mind. Thus, good usability is a crucial metric to the success of all dental software implementations. Usability is also directly related to your entire practice’s overall user satisfaction with the software product. 

 

At XLDent, we’ve taken a particular interest in the experiences and needs of new dental practices. Starting a new practice is a huge undertaking, and probably one of your professional life’s most significant decisions. The content, integrity, and continuity of your electronic dental records will play a key role in your ability to grow efficiently and profitably, as well as maintain valuable patient relationships and patient engagement mechanisms. XLDent’s All-Inclusive Suite of products and services includes all the tools you will need to make this journey. XLDent is your long-term solution for equipping your dental office with a customizable, scalable, and robust Practice and Clinical Management software system.

 

When you choose XLDent as a new startup dental practice, you will receive our special package for new business owners. In addition to our tried and true methods for getting started with the software, the time with your Getting Started Coach will focus on planning, building, and launching your top priorities – and leave you with a strategic plan to accomplish what’s next. To learn more about implementing a new practice with XLDent, visit our New Startup Practice Guide. 

 

Posted in: Dental Practice Management Software, Dental Software, Dental Technology, Dental Web-based Solutions, Electronic Dental Records, IT Services, XLDent Company, XLDent Patient Experience, Leave a comment/ No Comments »
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