PC hardware costs are going up, with no end in sight. These increases are not trade related, or government policy related, but rather deliberate business decisions from major industry players. Micron has announced that is discontinuing its RAM and SSD business, Samsung is signaling an end to their consumer memory business, and consumer PC manufacturers like HP and Dell have gutted their PC offerings. This has sent hardware costs through the roof and aside from making PC parts more expensive, PCs themselves have gotten more expensive; often by factors of 3 or 4 times.

Healthcare runs on technology, now more than ever. Facilities that need to purchase computer and server hardware will find that the products they need to purchase are extremely expensive. Higher hardware costs can strain IT budgets, especially for organizations that must regularly replace aging equipment to support tracking systems, electronic health records (EHRs), cybersecurity requirements, and other critical applications. As a result, healthcare providers may face higher overall technology expenditures, that could potentially reduce funds available for patient care initiatives and other operational priorities.

CaseTrak360 is a cloud-based instrument tracking platform hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS), eliminating the need for healthcare facilities to purchase and maintain expensive local servers and complex IT infrastructure. Because the application and data reside securely in the cloud, facilities can access real-time instrument tracking, reporting, digital visualization, and inventory management from virtually any internet-connected device. Local hardware requirements are minimal, often requiring only a small, low-cost device such as a Raspberry Pi to connect barcode scanners, printers, and other peripherals. This significantly reduces upfront capital expenditures, lowers ongoing maintenance costs, simplifies deployment, and allows facilities to benefit from enterprise-level technology without the burden of managing enterprise-level hardware.