iPad Set Up
Once familiar with the iPad’s touch screen and on-screen key board, the iPad ease-of-use is impressive. For those wanting to enjoy the benefits of utilizing Practice Director through a convenient, light weight, portable device in the office, at home or from wherever you have internet access, the iPad is a solid option.
iPad Set up Methods
There are two set up methods for using Practice Director with the iPad, a single user method using remote desktop and a multiple user method using a terminal server.
One user per workstation
The iPad can connect to the iPad user’s workstation and this would be the most economical way if you are treating the iPad as an extension of the workstation instead of replacing it. No additional upgrades are needed if you are already able to run Practice Director on the workstation. Non-home editions of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 can use RDP for remote desktop. Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Mac OS X can use VNC for remote desktop.
The following links will explain how to set up Remote Desktop on the following operating systems. Once this is set up then you can use an RDP client for Windows or VNC client for Mac OS X to connect to the machine.
RDP
Windows XP Professional
Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows 7 Professional, and Windows 7 Ultimate
VNC
Note:VNC will not automatically adjust its resolution to the iPad’s screen like RDP will. This will mean that you will need to pan the screen on the ipad to see everything if the screen resolution is higher than 1024×768. RDP is preferred if you have a choice between both for this reason.
Installing UltraVNC on Windows
Mac OS X 10.5 and Mac OS X 10.6
Multiple users per workstation
A terminal server would be desired if you do not wish to interrupt a user working at their workstation however this method is more expensive than a single user configuration.
The terminal server will require Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2 if you are using Windows Terminal Services/Remote Desktop Services. For a Mac OS X look then iRAPP Terminal Server or Aqua Connect Terminal Server will need to be installed on a Mac. As for the hardware itself, RAM is needed the most in a terminal server and the recommended amount would be the operating system’s recommended amount plus 512MB of RAM for every user.
Windows Terminal Services, Windows Remote Desktop Services, iRapp Terminal Server, and Aqua Connect Terminal Server use RDP for client connections. Aqua Connect Terminal Server may also use VNC. The following links below describe each of these technologies:
Windows Remote Desktop Services
Windows Terminal Services
Aqua Connect Terminal Server
iRAPP Terminal Server
Tested RDP Clients
iTap RDP
Jump Desktop – Does not work with an iRAPP terminal server or Aqua Connect with RDP. However, Aqua Connect with VNC will work.
Installation & Set up Services
A Practice Director technician will provide various installation, configuration and set up services including installing the necessary Aqua Connect or iRAPP terminal server solution, assistance with downloading a RDP application to your iPad’s and configuring the Practice Director connection.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have, Email: info@practicedirector.com
Tammi Sufficool MBA
Director of Software Solutions
800.676.9076 ext 11
Email: tsufficool@practicedirector.com
Brad Rourke
800.676.9076 ext 38
Email: brourke@practicedirector.com