Distributed enterprise information networking: A case example

A major health care provider is migrating its existing centralized computing system to a distributed computing infrastructure that will support advanced clinical, business, and workgroup applications and connectivity. Deploying a modern distributed architecture integrated with a traditional, heterogeneous mainframe-oriented enterprise data processing and information retrieval environment is an enormous undertaking. This process requires major changes for the enterprise, especially in the areas of the network, control and operations, systems deployment, integration and cost management tools, and personnel. Our case example is Kaiser Permanente Northern California Region (KPNCR). Information Technology Services (ITS), a division of KPNCR, provides network and computer support and operation, architecture and standards, and information technology. This division, in partnership with business planning and operational units, is responsible for creating the distributed architecture. The transition, estimated to take three to five years, is underway. ITS plans to deploy the proposed architecture at three medical facilities. This pilot will provide the technology foundation for a concurrent pilot of a planned enterprise-wide clinical information system. Results from the pilot will influence plans to deploy the distributed architecture enterprise-wide.