Version 1

Connectivity available for pharmacy sites

February 1, 2023

Table of contents

Aims

  • To provide cost-effective HSCN connectivity

  • To highlight areas of weakness

  • To offer options for contingency planning

Approach

Titan requires a HSCN (previously N3) connection at each client site to enable secure access to the Titan platform, along with NHS Smartcard access for English sites.

Solution

There are two core options for Titan connectivity:

  1. On Premise HSCN connection

    If you select this option, a new BT telephone line (PSTN) is installed with HSCN connectivity activated on this new line. It is a dedicated internet line that primarily delivers HSCN connectivity with internet access available.

    The best available connection (bandwidth) is selected for the client pharmacy site. This will be based on the OpenReach service to the address; either ADSL2 or FTTC.


  2. Titan VPN

    If you choose the VPN option, then you can bring your own internet connection that you may already have in place. The Titan VPN will use your existing line and securely connect using VPN software on each PC and device being used.


In terms of bandwidth requirements, Titan is a cloud based solution so a reliable connection is important.

You will need to sign an HSCN Connection Agreement to access Titan and this forms part of your contract with us (alternatively you can sign directly via the HSCN connection agreement NHS website)

Titan is a 3-tier solution that combines cloud infrastructure with a rich client experience. There is very little in terms of information going up and down the connection. All the presentation information is generated locally; the back end will just exchange a minimal data set in order to fulfill the needs of the client; neither does it attempt to send or retrieve more information than is required.

Options

Using the VPN solution it is advisable that you make arrangements to have a secondary & different connection in place should your primary solution suffer an outage. Some customers successfully use 4G solutions (coverage permitting) combined with the VPN.