Guides / Hardware & Wiring Requirements
CHIME at Larger Organizations
While CHIME is mostly commonly deployed to smaller organizations with relatively basic IT requirements and needs, occasionally, larger organizations are involved, such as hospitals, or large health care organizations. In those situations, our experience is that various modifications to our standard deployment may be appropriate.
Physical vs. Virtual Server
Typically, CHIME is installed on a small physical server (e.g. an Intel NUC). This type of small server is sufficient, and should there be hardware issues, we can provide a temporary cloud based solution while the physical server is replaced.
Larger organizations may prefer to deploy CHIME on a clinic owned virtual machine. We can accommodate this - we simply need to be supplied SSH access to a clean Ubuntu Server instance.
Direct Access to Server
Typically, while the clinic owns the physical server, they are not provided SSH access into the server to minimize the likelihood of mistakes. Part of our job is to manage your server on your behalf.
Larger organizations may prefer to have direct SSH access to the server directly, for example, to install special antivirus software in accordance with internal IT requirements. If so, we can accommodate this request.
Installation & Project Management
Typically, we provide a white glove installation wherein CHIME will hire IT contractors to come into your clinic to run any necessary wiring and to do the full install.
Larger organizations may prefer to be directly responsible for this, especially if they have in-house IT and electricians already available to do the necessary work.
PoE Injectors
Typically, we provide dedicated rack mounted PoE injectors.
Larger organizations may prefer to use existing PoE infrastructure. Our adapters are 802.3af/at compatible, and so this is an option. One thing to know is that we recommend budgeting 15w per tablet and so it is important to ensure the existing PoE injectors have sufficient PoE budget available. Insufficient power can lead to frustrating troubleshooting issues.
TV Signage
Typically, we use Yodecks to provide content to TVs.
Larger organizations may have existing infrastructure to provide content to TVs. If so, CHIME will likely be compatible. Please contact us in advance - validating this assumption will only take a few minutes of remote testing.
Apple iPad vs. Samsung Android Tablets
Typically, CHIME procures consumer Samsung Android Tablets for use with CHIME. We purchase them in bulk from our supplier and configure them so that we have long-term remote access and remote management capabilities.
Larger organizations which are already using Apple iPads may prefer to continue to do so. Our usual recommendation is to not do so unless the clinic is prepared to handle all aspects of remotely managing the tablets on their own. However, if strongly desired, it should be possible.