Case Studies

AUSTIN RADIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

Download detailed case study

Challenge:

As the association's IT team began rolling out Metro Ethernet circuits to area clinics and hospitals, they realized that they could obtain additional cost savings by aggregating network traffic from several locations instead of establishing circuits-with recurring monthly costs of $1,500 to $2,000-at each separate site. With that understanding, they started to look for different options to link nearby facilities together. They considered running dark fiber between some of the primary locations but couldn't get links for all the locales under consideration. They also knew the time delay in obtaining permissions from the city and the additional expense of digging up streets and parking lots to lay cables would become prohibitive.

With PACS catching on at a rapid rate, ARA was also tasked with bringing new facilities on-line fast and economically. To that end, the team assessed various wireless solutions that would allow them to expedite network growth while containing technology costs. In reviewing the viability of different connectivity options, ARA adhered to very strict evaluation criteria. At the top of the list was full compliance with the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects patient confidentiality and security of health data while ensuring data integrity of all patient medical files. According to Robert Berken, ARA's senior network engineer, "Our network has to be bullet-proof, with no margin for error when it comes to authenticating users and ensuring completely secure transmission."

For that reason, ARA's IT team was somewhat concerned about deploying a microwave or RF-based solution for "last mile" connectivity. They briefly considered a 54-Mbps (802.11g) radio before deciding that it was too slow and not secure enough to serve as a primary transport solution. "Radio and microwave have inherent security flaws and lack the robustness we need," says Berken. "While we could add encryption software to prevent eavesdropping, we didn't really want to manage another network layer."

In doing preliminary research, the team came upon some articles on free-space optics (FSO), a layer one technology that delivers high-bandwidth connectivity through the air on beams of light. For most applications, optical wireless solutions based on FSO technology solve typical access or last-mile bottlenecks at one-fifth the cost of fiber-and in one-tenth of the time. A line-of-sight technology, FSO uses lasers to provide optical bandwidth connections that can carry combined data, voice and video traffic. Since many of ARA's clinics and hospitals were located near each other with clear line-of-sight between the buildings, optical wireless seemed like a feasible choice worthy of further scrutiny.

ARA enlisted the help of Crystal Communications Ltd., their local systems integrator for assistance in evaluating leading suppliers of optical wireless solutions. Jeff Majeski, network system sales account manager at Crystal Communications, recalls "ARA evaluated solutions from LightPointe, Canon and Corning, which sells an OEM version of the LightPointe gear. In the long run, ARA was most impressed with the technology, history and people behind LightPointe."

LightPointe's diverse product line, with systems that support a range of applications and speeds, addressed ARA's variety of bandwidth concerns and network performance requirements. "The fact that Cisco invested in LightPointe was another plus since it reinforced the validity of their approach," adds Berken. After a thorough investigation of broadband connectivity alternatives, ARA chose LightPointe's Flight optical wireless family as the most cost-effective, secure and simple extension to its Metro Ethernet.

LightPointe Solution:

In May 2004, ARA embarked on its proof-of-concept phase by installing its first LightPointe optical wireless product at one of its facilities to connect an adjacent managed health-care partner that was located approximately 200 meters from the clinic. Since a 100Mbps Metro Ethernet circuit already linked the site to ARA's data center, the goal of the LightPointe deployment was to extend the network using FSO technology. Initially, ARA installed LightPointe's FlightStrata flagship offering, a high-performance system with up to 155Mbps bandwidth speed and innovative Multi-Beam Array Tracking (MBAT) as well as Optical Beam Shaping (OBS) with Automatic Power Control (APC) to deliver unprecedented flexibility and reliability.

Installation went smoothly and the optical wireless product connected the managed health care provider to ARA's PACS network seamlessly. "Our health care partner was extremely pleased with the ease and low cost with which we brought them up on our PACS network," comments Thomas. "After proving the concept worked, we were eager to find other nearby locations where we could take advantage of FSO and extend ARA's Metro Ethernet."

Before moving onto the next installation, ARA decided that the managed health-care provider, which operated a 9-to-5 business, would be best suited for LightPointe's FlightLite 100, the company's most economical offering that delivers Fast Ethernet connectivity of 100 Mbps at the best price-per-bit on the market. "The FlightLite 100 gave us the optimal balance of price, performance and bandwidth," explains Berken. "We were able to connect our managed healthcare partner to the ARA network for about the same price of competing 802.11a solutions but with more than two times the bandwidth."

ARA's second LightPointe installation was initiated in July 2004 when the team linked the association's data center with Seton Northwest Hospital, which is located about 800 meters from ARA's IT facility. As a major PACS installation, "imaging viewing stations" were located throughout the hospital so that radiologists, physicians and surgeons could access digital images easily, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Prior to the optical wireless deployment, the hospital was linked to ARA via two T1 lines, which had proven far too slow. "A 50-megabyte image took three-to-four minutes to download, which was completely unacceptable," notes Berken. "We were confident that FSO would deliver dramatic performance improvements, enabling ARA to meet its three-second digital image delivery benchmark."

A LightPointe FlightStrata was implemented at the hospital to provide the highest levels of performance and reliability. Again, installation was trouble-free and improved connectivity speeds were immediately realized. With that deployment completed, ARA was ready to tackle its next installation, leveraging a 300Mbps connection between the data center and Medical Park Tower (MPT), a critical site that houses one of the company's largest imaging centers. In August 2004, ARA installed another pair of FlightStrata link-heads on the rooftop of an adjacent facility that was roughly 400 meters away, the ARA Women's Imaging Center (WIC)., ARA was able to leverage its 300Mbps circuit and transport WIC data traffic over the Metro Ethernet without pulling wires or adding monthly costs to network nearby facilities.

A fourth installation, involving another FlightLite 100 is underway to link Texas Orthopedics, a sports and rehabilitation group that has joined ARA's PACS network. At its Austin office, Texas Orthopedics' physicians use wireless laptops for immediate access to all patient X-rays, MRIs and CT scans. ARA was able to streamline installation and reduce costs by taking advantage of the FlightLite 100's Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology, which provides direct Ethernet-to-laser connectivity, eliminating the need for additional electrical wiring.

Two more LightPointe installations are planned through the remainder of 2004, both providing links between new imaging centers and ARA's IT facility. By the end of the year, a total of six LightPointe optical wireless systems (12 link-heads) will be installed throughout Central Texas to support ARA's business expansion and minimize infrastructure costs. "Whenever we consider bringing up a new site, we start by looking for an opportunity to put in another LightPointe system, rather than buying another circuit," comments Thomas. "The technology has proven itself several times over as the most economical and fastest way to extend our Metro Ethernet while delivering high-speed bandwidth."

Sound Byte:

"No other technology beats FSO in terms of speed, cost and simplicity. Austin Radiological Association has achieved a six-month ROI on its FlightLite deployments and a 12-to-18 month ROI on the powerful FlightStrata products."

"Whenever we consider bringing up a new site, we start with looking for an opportunity to put in another LightPointe system, rather than buying another circuit," comments Thomas. "The technology has proven itself several times over as the most economical and fastest way to extend our Metro Ethernet while delivering high-speed bandwidth."
— R. Todd Thomas, CIO, Austin Radiological Association