Technology
Tool - Delphi Client/Server & Midas/DCOM
Industry - Medicare, Information Services
Application -
Decision Support System
Database Server - Oracle, SQL
Overview
ACS needed to update and enhance its Decision Support
System software to enable their clients to analyze terra-bytes of data to
determine patterns and trends in the Medicare industry. ACS's clients
required the system to be faster, stable, more scalable, and to provide
decreased query time. The system needed to be simple for users and did not
require users to have prior knowledge of SQL structure.
Return on
Investment
1. System allows for a strategic advantage
over ACS competitors
2. The system is now stable, scalable, and
easily maintainable for future development.
3. Query time was
decreased from hours of wait time to minutes, thus increasing efficiency.
4. Cost-effectiveness has been obtained through the improved
architecture.
5. Enhancements have increased ACS's client
productivity and confidence in the QueryPath product.
6. ACS
development staff now has a showcase product that is enthusiastically
supported by various ACS internal departments.
7. Broadened skill
set of the internal ACS development staff.
Unresolved Issue
Multiple states were unable to access the DSS system that ACS previously had in place, QueryPath v2.5. The system was a two-tier application for the Microsoft SQL Server database. Query response time could take hours when returning large amounts of data due to the slow speed of the two-tier system. The system could not accommodate all of the data requests necessary and the requisite number of users. The system also needed the capability of adding new users to the system with little modification. An updated system was necessary in order to maximize the possible data analysis capabilities of the DSS to determine patterns and trends in the data.
ACS's fixed deadline was at risk for a version release that consisted of maintenance items & enhancements. The primary lead ACS developer left to pursue other interests. A number of technical issues of the release were beyond the skill level of existing staff. There was a directive to introduce methodologies to this version's implementation process.
Solution
DSW installed a Technical Team Leader with full lifecycle & methodology experience from v3.0 through 3.5. Team Lead immediately performed a full technical review of the existing system, compared existing system against open issues, research best practices, created a hierarchy of tasks, made presentations on methodologies to ACS internal departments, developed strategies, assigned tasks to ACS internal staff, and developed solutions for the more complex issues.
The QueryPath v3 maintenance & enhancement release developed in Delphi 4 and MIDAS/DCOM technology, exceeded ACS's expectations. QueryPath v3 became a three-tier system that is scalable, running against an Oracle database. The new middle-tier server consists of a SQL engine and metadata analysis toolset that creates optimized queries based on parameters selected by the user through the client front end. The optimization realized in v3 cuts the query time from hours to minutes, which eliminated a key client complaint. The new middle-tier server is dynamic easily handling the current number of users, the volume of data, and expected growth in system use. New users are easily added through the database. The system can now be implemented nationwide without the previous compatibility issues, giving ACS a distinct advantage over their competitors.
Ongoing Support
DSW continues to provide technical leadership, training, mentoring and development support to ACS to enhance functionality of the Query Path product. Query Path v 3.5 is ACS's latest release.
Company Background
ACS specializes in systems development, data processing,
and administrative services for both the public and private sectors. For the
past thirty years, its focus has been on the health care industry by
providing Medicaid information systems and operational services. ACS is one
of the most experienced, respected, and successful contractors in the
country offering Medicaid Management Information Systems (MMIS) development
and fiscal agent services. ASC is a Fortune 1000 company comprised of more
than 30,000 people in 35 countries, achieving more than $3 billion in annual
revenues.
Team Size
6 developers
Development Time
7 months
Debut Date
Deployed in 4 states with several other states currently in the testing phase.
