A case study of business and technical issues in mixed-vendor technology implementation

The Moses H. Cone memorial Hospital is challenging the rationale used in the traditional mainframe approach to computerization. Now that Local Area Networks (LANs) simplify interfacing and micros/minicomputers have reversed the economies of multiple computers, a new approach can be taken which connects multiple computer systems. Rather than consolidating all data in one data base, the systems approach allows relevant working data to be stored in each functional module while focusing on the small percentage of summary data that actually needs to flow between systems. Moses Cone's approach involves two complementary design processes. First, the foundation is a hospital-wide LAN called STAT LAN which connects functional nodes in each department. Second, the open architecture of this foundation allows Moses Cone to build its information system using component systems from multiple vendors. This approach supports the integrative nature of their information flows while also supporting their decentralized management style. © 1988.