Argus is a licenced open source product and makes use of other enterprise-level open source technologies including Java, BouncyCastle (for encryption), and PostgreSQL. Find out more about the Argus suite of products
Argus is Open Source
Argus FAQs
Frequently
Asked Questions
Quick Reference
Argus currently uses email to send messages. Isn’t email
undependable and won’t messages be lost?
I hear Argus is decommissioning Argus Version 4 – why?
I have a Mac, and cannot see an update on your website –
where is the upgrade at?
Does Argus meet NeHTA messaging standards?
When Argus was first released Argus was free. Doesn’t free mean ‘low quality’?
Who else can use Argus and if I install Argus who can I
send messages to?
What are the prerequisites for using Argus?
How do I get started and subscribe with Argus?
How do I know if there is a CAI near me?
How do I notify other Argus users that I am on Argus?
How do I search for other Argus users?
What is my Argus identifier or customer number?
How do I update the practitioners at my practice?
Subscribing; I am an existing customer how do I
re-subscribe?
What is the Argus Address manager?
What is the Argus Message Viewer?
Why did Argus move from Firebird to Postgress database?
Why is Argus better?
Unlike other
messaging systems on the market you don’t have to sign up to a nominated
internet service provider which can restrict you to receiving documents from
only that company’s clients. All users
can choose their own ISP and connection method.
There is no paying
per message for sending or receiving Argus to Argus messages by anyone: GP’s,
Specialists, Allied Health Practitioners, Pathologists, Radiologists or Hospitals. Plus, for many thousands of medical
practitioners, Argus product Licence, software and support is bundled in a low
cost annual subscription.
Argus offers a common
messaging option for all Australian healthcare providers which is equally
available and affordable to anyone. The aim is that everyone in healthcare the
ability to communicate with any other healthcare provider for sending and
receiving messages. Thus Argus adheres to principles of open standards,
transparency of technology, level playing-field for all users, and interoperability.
Argus currently uses email to send messages. Isn’t email undependable and won’t messages be lost?
Although email these
days is quite dependable (we are relying on it more and more these days) yes,
emails could be lost. However Argus introduces a level of security that ensures
that all messages arrive at the recipient’s computer. Argus checks for
automatic receipt acknowledgements sent by Argus at the other end, and if this
isn’t detected, Argus resends the message automatically.
I hear that email is insecure, so isn’t it possible that other people not intended to see the medical information will be able to read my messages?
Potentially, standard
email can be intercepted by someone, maybe an unscrupulous email service
provider. Argus however, makes this
impossible by encrypting all sent data (including the details of the sending
and receiving doctor) using the ‘defence-strength’ PKI encryption provided by
HeSA. Using PKI, only the intended recipient can de-crypt the data and read the
email.
I hear Argus is decommissioning Argus Version 4 – why?
In 2010 (since
starting its work more than 3 years ago) NeHTA outlined the long awaited
messaging standards for interconnectivity between secure messaging networks. As
anticipated the technology behind Argus 4 (which is email-based) does not meet
NeHTA standards and must be upgraded to the newer technology of web-services.
Thus, Argus must move from email-based message transmission to the
NeHTA-specified Web Services process and Version 4 must be phased out.
I have a Mac, and cannot see an update on your website – where is the upgrade at?
Mac users can be
assured; version 5 for Mac is now in development. Argus will not begin
dismantling operability of version 4 until version 5 for Mac has been deployed
to all subscribing Mac users.
Does Argus meet NeHTA messaging standards?
Argus is well on the
way to finishing the implementation of the SMD specification for web service
messaging and we will be ready for the first practical implementation of this
under contract with NeHTA in the Wave 1 Vendor Panel. This will be ready
around early July even though NeHTA only require this by Oct 30.
When Argus was first released Argus was free. Doesn’t free mean ‘low quality’?
Not at all. Argus has
been developed over 5 years with over $700,000 investment, first within a
university-based research environment and later by the ArgusConnect development
team. This team maintains its dedication to superior architectural standards,
international messaging Standards, and commitment to quality. Argus boasts a
first class Software Testing Laboratory for Quality Assurance of every software
release. With our commitment to transparency, Argus will provide software
source code for review by any party that wishes to assess the integrity or
quality of the programming.
Is Argus free now?
No, the core
ArgusFreeware and the Open Source version 4 were free, however Argus is no
longer project funded and must charge a subscription fee to continue in
business. Argus takes pride in providing excellent Help Desk support staff to
take your call and resolve any technical problems on demand and employ world
class Developers to grow Argus in user friendly technology whilst adhering to
messaging standards. Argus products are competitive and considered more
economical than other commercial alternatives offered to the medical sector.
Didn’t Argus get sold?
Yes, Argus was
purchased by a robust company, Database Consultants Australia (DCA) in 2010.
The opportunities of being part of a larger and better resourced company are
now emerging. The Argus team, supported by DCA staff and endorsed by DCA
management are forging ahead with new developments such as:
- Interconnectivity with other messaging
providers;
- Capacity to handle reports with
graphical information;
- interfacing with a National provider
directory; and
- a simpler and more responsive Argus
using web services
Can I use Argus and also continue to use the messaging facility that is installed by my diagnostic provider?
Yes. Argus will
cohabitate with most other messaging facilities on your computer, however
set-up may be slightly more complex to avoid conflicts. Clearly however, it
would be desirable that your diagnostic providers moved over to using Argus,
and in doing so they would certainly benefit from considerable cost savings.
Who else can use Argus and if I install Argus who can I send messages to?
Argus is for use by
GPs, specialists, hospitals, pathology, radiology, State Health Departments,
Health Connect projects, community and allied health, and after hour’s clinics.
The only thing these
providers need in common in order to exchange documents and clinical
information using Argus is to have Argus installed on their own systems. If you
would like some advice on how to encourage other practitioners to start using
Argus, we can provide you with a communications kit with ideas on how to go
about this.
Where communities of
healthcare providers are keen to start using Argus (eg, a Division of GPs or
doctors in a country town), Argus has business Analysts willing to help with
the process of discussing Argus with other healthcare providers in that region.
On most occasions, this assistance will be free of charge.
What are the prerequisites for using Argus?
- Clinical software (specialists can use
Argus with just MSWord for report typing)
- Internet connectivity: dial-up or
permanent connection with a speed of 28K up to broadband
- Dedicated email address just for use
with Argus
- PKI location encryption key-pair for the
practice
How do I get started and subscribe with Argus?
There are just three
simple steps:
Email address
Arrange for a
dedicated email address just for use with Argus. This cannot be a free email
address like gmail, hotmail or yahoo.
Request to install
Argus
Go to the Argus website
www.argusconnect.com.au and click
on the ‘New customers apply here’ link. You will be asked to complete a few
check boxes, and to provide the following information:
- your dedicated email address (and user
name and password)
- your Error Notification email address
(normally the Practice Manager’s email address)
- if you don’t already have a HeSA PKI
location certificate, you can request a special encryption key-pair from
us
- the number of computers that will be used
to send with Argus,
- the names of your practitioners and
provider numbers where appropriate as well as the sessions worked per
week. Full Time = 6 sessions or more. Part Time = 5 sessions or less.
- Submit your request to install
Once you submit your request,
we will issue an invoice for subscription and an installation charge should you
require Argus to complete the installation.
Who can install Argus? Can I?
Most IT Technicians would
be able to install Argus and an installation guide is available on our website
for download. However, if you are not of a technical nature we recommend Argus
completes the installation for you. We can install Argus on your machine
remotely with your assistance through ‘Team Viewer’
Another option is
that you consider asking a Certified Argus Installer to undertake your
installation.
What is a CAI?
CAI stands for
Certified Argus Installer. A technician trained and certified in the
installation of Argus. Each CAI will have a certificate to confirm they are
Argus trained in our software.
Some of these
Installers are available at no cost and others will charge for their services.
How do I know if there is a CAI near me?
Contact Argus to find
out how you might seek this assistance.
How do I notify other Argus users that I am on Argus?
Argus users can
search the Argus Users Database (AUD) for other healthcare providers within the
Argus network. A search can be done by practice or practitioner name, town,
suburb, state, postcode or division. Depending on a sites day to day time
restraints Argus recommends adding a note at the bottom of referrals or letters
that your site prefers secure electronic correspondence via Argus including
your dedicated Argus address. We also recommend discussing with your local
Division of General Practice or Medicare Local advertising in their
newsletters.
What is the AUD? or LDAP?
AUD stands for Argus
Users Database or Argus Users Directory.
LDAP stands for Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
How do I search for other Argus users?
Argus users can
search the Argus Users Database (AUD) for other healthcare providers within the
Argus network. A search can be done by practice or practitioner name, town,
suburb, state, postcode or division.
What is my Argus identifier or customer number?
Your Argus customer
number is supplied on all invoices and case related correspondence. It is a 6
digit number beginning with 5. If you cannot locate your customer number, you
can phone the support team on 03 5335 2221.
What does Argus costs?
Please click here for pricing information.
What is an Affinity Division?
An Affinity Division
is one that has ‘adopted’ Argus as their preferred messaging vendor for
collaborating in secure messaging projects. 65 Divisions of General Practice
have adopted Argus and together we have networked over 13,000 Argus users.
Healthcare workers who fall within a Division’s boundaries are automatically
entitled to a discount in subscription fees.
How does my division
become an Affinity Division?
Divisions of General
Practice can contact Tania Oldaker at Argus to learn more about the program and
obtain documentation relating to the adoption process.
How do I check that
Argus is sending and receiving correctly?
What is a ‘session’?
A session is equivalent
to a half day, in a weekly interval. For example 5 sessions is equal to 2.5
days worked per week.
How do I update the practitioners at my practice?
Advise the support
team as changes to the AUD, must be completed by Argus. Phone: 03 5335 2221,
email: argus@argusconnect.com.au
or fax: 03 5335 2211.
Subscribing; I am an existing customer how do I re-subscribe?
Existing subscribers
will receive email notification that an Argus subscription is due to expire
within 4 weeks of expiry. Additional notifications will be issued with 2 weeks,
1 week and 2 days before a subscription is due. To re-subscribe and generate an
invoice go to: https://www.argusconnect.com.au/subscription/existing/
or from the home page of our web site ‘Existing Customers Re-Subscribe’. Enter
your Argus customer number and confirm the number of practitioners at your
location. This will generate an invoice which you can pay online with a credit
card or opt to pay later via credit card over the phone, direct deposit or
cheque.
Where is Argus installed?
Onto the site server,
or in smaller practices on the main computer. An Argus client is then set up on
all PC’s using Argus from a server log in.
What is Argus Agent?
Argus Agent creates
‘events’ allowing Argus to pick up messages from a sending site and delivering
messages to a receiving site. During the Argus Agent set up a site can specify
the clinical software used, the directory location to pick up messages being
sent, where to collect messages received and how often to try to collect and
send messages.
What is the Argus Address manager?
Allows a user to set
up their own local address book from the web based Argus Users Directory.
What is the Argus Message Viewer?
Details messages sent
and received, including the acknowledgement
What is Argus messenger?
ArgusMessenger is the
emailing component which forms the core of all Argus solutions, providing
downloading and uploading of the Argus email messages, PKI encryption and
decryption, plus message delivery assurance by an intelligent peer-to-peer
acknowledgement process.
How to check for messages?
Using your clinical package or ArgusWord: Click here to view quick guides.
Error notifications
Refer to the Argus Administration and Maintenance Guide
Why did Argus move from Firebird to Postgress database?
A small number of
sites reported a conflict between some clinical software applications and
firebird. Firebird also experienced unidentifiable instability.