Why Azure Is the Smarter, Safer Choice for Compucare
Many healthcare organisations have relied on Compucare for years as a trusted PAS/EPR and patient billing system. Traditionally, this has meant running Compucare on local, on-premise servers within hospital or clinic environments, often supported by dedicated database and application servers.
While this approach has served its purpose, it also brings challenges: ongoing hardware costs, complex upgrades, limited resilience, and increasing pressure on internal IT teams.
To address this, Streets Heaver launched Compucare on Azure-a modern, cloud based hosting model built on Microsoft Azure. This new approach provides a more secure, resilient, and cost-effective way to run Compucare, while significantly simplifying day-to-day management for customers.
What is Compucare on Azure?
Compucare on Azure removes the need for local server infrastructure related to Compucare. Instead, the database and supporting services are securely hosted and managed by Streets Heaver within Microsoft Azure.
For existing customers, this means:
- Migrating from an on-premise installation to a SaaS (Software as a Service) model
- Using Azure SQL Database for core Compucare data
- Securing access through Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory)
The only component installed locally is a lightweight, self updating client, which runs within the user’s profile on each workstation. All server side services are managed centrally, removing complexity from the hospital environment.
This approach unlocks enterprise grade capabilities, such as high availability, disaster recovery, and advanced security, that were previously expensive and difficult for individual hospitals to implement on their own.
Why Organisations Are Choosing to Move to Azure
Reduced Local IT Burden
With Compucare on Azure:
- Local application and database servers are no longer required
- Server monitoring, patching, and backups are handled by Streets Heaver
- Hospitals only need to meet minimum workstation specifications and ensure reliable internet/VPN connectivity
This significantly reduces the workload for internal IT teams and removes the need for future hardware refreshes related to Compucare.
Always Up to Date, with No Disruption
Keeping systems current can be time consuming and disruptive. Compucare on Azure changes this completely.
- Updates are managed centrally by Streets Heaver
- New features are released approximately every three weeks
- Maintenance updates are applied automatically
- The self updating client ensures every user is always on the latest version
There’s no need for out-of-hours upgrade work or complex rollout planning at the hospital.
Stronger Security by Design
Security is built into every layer of Compucare on Azure.
Data encryption is always enabled, both:
- In transit (using TLS 1.2)
- At rest (using AES 256‑bit Transparent Data Encryption)
All data, including backups and transaction logs, is encrypted automatically, with encryption keys and certificates fully managed by Azure.
Access to Compucare is secured using Microsoft Entra ID, with:
- Single sign-on
- Role based access control
- Optional multi‑factor authentication
Only authorised users within your organisation’s Entra ID tenant can access the system, and Compucare’s internal security roles continue to control what each user can see and do.
Pro Active Threat Monitoring
In addition to preventative security controls, Compucare on Azure benefits from continuous, proactive threat monitoring. Streets Heaver’s DevSecOps team actively monitors the Azure environment using Microsoft Sentinel, enabling early detection and response to potential security threats. This removes the need for hospitals to operate and maintain their own advanced security monitoring tools for Compucare, while providing additional reassurance that the environment is continuously protected.
Built-in Resilience and Disaster Recovery
Compucare on Azure is designed to stay available-even when issues occur.
Key resilience features include:
- Azure SQL databases hosted across UK South and UK West
- Geo‑failover between regions
- A separate readonly replica database for reporting, ensuring heavy reports don’t impact live users
- One month backup retention with point-in-time restore
This level of resilience and disaster recovery is extremely difficult and costly to replicate using on-premise infrastructure.
Designed with No Single Point of Failure
Compucare on Azure is delivered through a professionally managed hosting environment designed with no single point of failure. By running across multiple Microsoft Azure data centre regions, the platform ensures that core services remain available even if an underlying component or region experiences an issue. This enterprise grade hosting model removes the risks associated with single server or single site deployments, providing a level of resilience that is difficult and costly to achieve with on-premise infrastructure.
UK Based Data and Compliance Confidence
All Compucare on Azure data is hosted exclusively in UK Azure regions, supporting data residency and regulatory requirements.
In addition:
- System activity is logged and monitored continuously
- Regular vulnerability assessments are performed
- Annual external CREST approved penetration testing is carried out
- Security findings are actively managed and remediated
This provides customers with confidence that their data is protected to enterprise standards.
Clear Support and Guaranteed Availability
Compucare on Azure is supported by Streets Heaver’s dedicated customer support team during standard business hours.
For organisations that require additional reassurance, an optional out-of-hours on call service is available for Priority 1 incidents, providing 24/7 coverage for critical infrastructure issues.
A Future Ready Platform
Compucare’s long-term development roadmap is closely aligned with Azure. Many new and enhanced features, such as advanced clinician tools, patient portals, and digital ward functionality, are designed to run only in Azure hosted environments.
By moving to Compucare on Azure, organisations position themselves to take full advantage of future innovation, without further infrastructure changes.
Supporting Sustainability and Reduced Environmental Impact
Moving Compucare to Azure also supports environmental and sustainability objectives. By removing the need for on premise servers and associated infrastructure, organisations can reduce local energy consumption and reliance on physical hardware. Azure’s highly efficient, shared data centre model enables a lower overall carbon footprint compared to traditional onsite hosting, helping hospitals support broader sustainability and ESG initiatives
A Smarter Way Forward
Compucare on Azure is more than a hosting change, it’s a strategic upgrade.
By switching to Azure, organisations benefit from:
- Reduced infrastructure and licensing costs
- Stronger security and compliance
- Improved reliability and disaster recovery
- Simpler upgrades and ongoing maintenance
- A platform ready for future digital transformation
For organisations considering the next step in modernising their Compucare environment, Azure provides a safer, simpler, and more resilient foundation.
Next Steps
If you’re considering moving to Compucare on Azure, Streets Heaver would be happy to:
- Discuss your current setup
- Explain the migration approach
- Outline the benefits specific to your organisation
Get in touch to explore how Compucare on Azure could support your organisation now-and into the future.