Reengineering a cardiology information system for Intranet use and Web technology

To develop a flexible Intranet-based cardiology information system, the authors reengineered their existing information management and database system using computer aided systems engineering (CASE) tools. Initially, abstract data and function modeling was employed to create entity-relationship descriptions and business process definitions within a central CASE repository. Database design wizards were then used to automatically generate a prototype database description. After design adjustments, a generator automatically compiled and executed a set of consistent DDL statements that generate the database instance according to specific vendor format. Business functions were transformed into application modules using specifications of data manipulation tasks. Sets of preferences can be assigned to each module to specify how client applications should be generated according to different flavors (e.g. HTML pages for Web access, proprietary clients, reports etc.). Reengineering the information system with CASE technology has allowed the authors to (1) increase flexibility for changes in the database design, (2) reduce client administration tasks (3) facilitate system maintenance by adapting Intranet technology and (4) reduce requirements for user support through the use of well established user interfaces