Cerner to Add Analytics, Connectivity to Cloud Hosting Services

Cerner Corp. soon will introduce a new information systems hosting service that includes data analytics and access to aggregate data from other providers using the service.

The service, called Cerner Skybox Storage, uses cloud storage technology from San Diego-based Nirvanix and supports usage-based pricing. Skybox is in beta and not yet fully implemented at any client site. The storage technology performs continuous data integrity checks on all stored files and automatically repairs corrupt files, according to Nirvanix.

Skybox includes a layer of metadata enabling detailed population health analysis and management of a user's patient populations, as well as access to aggregate data from other users of Skybox. Competing provider organizations that haven't shared detailed patient data can use each other's aggregate data to try to improve their own analysis and performance benchmarking.

Skybox also will include an e-mail service with access to e-mail and calendars from the Web, mobile devices or an archive; connectivity to partners, and intrusion detection and monitoring. More information is available here.