Pen CS Software Fact Sheet for IT Providers and Practices

Topbar
Decision support tool, provides information to the clinic staff about patients in the waiting or consult room. Works with MD, BP and Zedmed.
Topbar has two components, one running on the server (which communicates with Pen CS deployment services) and the other running on multiple practice workstation clients.

Component Type

Install location (default)

Resource requirements

Outside connections

Server component with local SQL database installation
Services*:
PCS.ClinicService.exe, PCS.ClinicMonitoringService.exe

* Topbar services are required to run under the Local System Account as this is the account the Clinical Information systems (MD/BP/Zedmed) run under.

The Topbar server component is normally installed with the clinical system. It creates its own SQL Server DB instance (PCSDB). This stores data related to the Topbar Apps. It does not store any patient demographic or clinical data.

On the server:
Recommended 16GB RAM;
and per user at least 200MB free RAM.

The Topbar server component checks for software updates nightly with the Pen CS deployment services, and any app updates hourly.

Workstation client component that communicates with server and database
Processes:
PCSEdgeDesktopApp.exe

The workstation module is installed in the user's profile and might have to be installed multiple times if users are sharing computers.
(Note: It should be installed in the Local profile not the Roaming profile).

On the workstation:
8GB RAM

Topbar client component checks for a valid user licence on logon.
It receives updates via the server.
Individual Apps may have outside connections and will implement their own security and usage agreements.

CAT4
Clinical Audit tool, data extractor, used by clinic staff for reporting and to de-identify and upload patient data to PHN or similar organisation.

Component Type

Install location (default)

Resource requirements

Outside connections

Desktop application
Processes:
ClinicalAudit4.exe

Clinical server (with scheduler) and at least one workstation for clinic staff. On workstation CAT4 installs as click-once application in the user's folder, might need multiple installations if users share the computer

As much RAM as possible on workstations when in use for reporting, 4GB+ depending on size of clinic database. Not much on server for the extraction. Extract folder required write permissions for windows users to perform manual collection

Checks for updates on start-up, checks for licence on start-up, can send de-identified data to pre-configured organisations either manually or triggered by scheduler.

Scheduler
Triggers CAT4 scheduled extractions and uploads

Component Type

Install location (default)

Resource requirements

Outside connections

Windows service
Services+:
PCSSchedulerService.exe

Clinical Server, running as a service

~20KB of RAM

Checks for updates every night.
Requires Local System Account to have access to the internet and extract folder write permissions.