Product Updates

Argus version 4.3 was released today. Some of the improvements and changes made to Argus 4.3 include:

• Argus now has an Online Updater program which allows a user to look for and install upgrades to the Argus suite of programs
• Argus can now run on both Debian Linux and Intel Macintosh operating systems
• The ability for an LDAP server other than the Argus Users Directory LDAP to be configured and used within Argus has been removed
• The 'New Message' dialog in ArgusMail now indicates if a clinical message (HL7) can be created from any given attachments.
• Argus can now re-send acknowledged messages whereas before it was only able to resend messages which had not yet been acknowledged
• Argus now provides support for reserved HL7 characters to be present in data value fields in HL7 messages through the use of escape sequences (an omission that could have potentially produced errors).
• Argus now uses BouncyCastle, an open source PKI implememtation of cryptographic algorithms rather than the Medicare Australia-produced API. The package is organised so that it contains a light-weight API suitable for use in any environment (including J2ME) with the additional infrastructure to conform the algorithms to the JCE framework.

As the number of users of Argus continues to grow, there is a need for a centralised repository where the details of all Argus users can be added and maintained with the most up-to-date information for each site using Argus across Australia.

The Argus Users Directory is an LDAP Server hosted by ArgusConnect, whose purpose is to be a national repository of the details of all current Argus users. The Argus Users Directory is accessible by ArgusMessenger over the internet and also has a web interface (acessible only by Argus users who have an entry on the Directory). From version 4.1 of Argus onwards, all sites actively using Argus will be added to the Argus Users Directory with their clinical email address and public certificate. These new entries will be populated from the registration details provided by users when they register to use Argus.

All users of Argus can have their local address book kept up to date automatically with entries on the Argus Users Directory. In addition, users can search for new entries and download their details into their local address book.

Argus version 4.1 was released today. Argus 4.1 offers a variety of new features and improvements to existing features from the previous release of Argus, including improved address management, thanks to integration with the Argus Users Directory. Some of the improvements include:

• A powerful new installer that will set domain rights, and more
• Address book updates from the Argus Users Directory - an LDAP server for all Argus users
• Automatic digital signing with location keys
• Checking keys against HeSA certificate revocation list
• Enhanced MAPI interface with Blue Chip
• Efficient viewing of very large lists/tables in ArgusMail
• Extract files like PDFs embedded in HL7 messages
• Download mail from non-Inbox IMAP server folders
• Automatic submission of public keys to Argus Support upon installation at a location
• Improved logging, including for ArgusAgent and for monitoring LDAP address book downloads
• Export PIT component from HL7 Pathology Reports
• Automatic archiving
• Enhanced backup and restore of the database, text registry and keystore
• Report viewing in the ACK Manager
• Storage of Provider ID for each user account