SATO Vicinity
How SATO ensured a smooth transition and stronger security features when upgrading a logistics management app
SATO Vicinity develops and sells products that use its global-standard
PJM RFID (Phase Jitter Modulation Radio Frequency
Identification) technology to track and identify tagged items.
Uniquely, PJM RFID can quickly identify large amounts of tagged
items with 100% accuracy, even when randomly or tightly packed.
A subsidiary of electronics manufacturer SATO Global, SATO
Vicinity builds high-end, customized applications for customers
worldwide from industries including healthcare, blood and
pathology, and wholesale diamonds.
The challenge
Migrating an existing product to new technology with advanced security requirements.
SATO Vicinity developed its Assure application to help hospitals
manage the process of receiving and tracking orthopedic implants
used in surgery. Assure was originally built using Adobe Flash,
and when Adobe announced it was discontinuing support for Flash,
SATO Vicinity decided to rebuild Assure using new technology.
SATO Vicinity needed to ensure a seamless and timely transition
between technologies from the users' perspective. Any disruption
to Assure's availability or efficiency could impact hospitals' ability
to perform planned surgeries, reducing operational efficiencies
and affecting patient care.
SATO Vicinity also wanted to use the opportunity to further strengthen
Assure's security features. Cybersecurity is extremely important for
hospitals because of their commitment to safeguarding patient data.
Rather than communicating directly with hospital IT systems, Assure
uses email to send information and status updates to staff about
orthopedic implant orders they have placed.
The solution
Using Zato sped up development time and helped meet critical security requirements.
SATO Vicinity decided to rebuild Assure using the Zato platform
for its backend and JavaScript for the user interface. The company
was already using Zato for several other applications requiring
secure and often highly complex integrations. And they had built
a strong working relationship with the Zato Source team.
The design and implementation process was straightforward,
apart from SATO Vicinity hitting a stumbling block in upgrading
Assure's single sign-on (SSO) module.
To overcome this, Zato Source developed a new custom feature
in Zato to enable user credential authorization using hospital staff's
email addresses - a crucial requirement.
Thanks to Zato Source's support and Zato's flexible configuration
options, SATO Vicinity delivered the new version of the app,
Assure 2, on time. Meeting the deadline was especially important
as SATO's customers include government agencies responsible
for large networks of public hospitals.
The outcome
The updated app works seamlessly and increases peace of mind about security.
SATO Vicinity rolled out Assure 2 with minimal disruption for its
customers. While the underlying technology has changed com-
pletely, everything in Assure 2 works the same as before from
the users' perspective.
Behind the scenes, Assure 2's strengthened security features
are helping hospitals uphold their commitments to safeguarding
patient data and keeping their systems secure.
"We've made it so our customers have more assurances on the
security side of things. We've implemented extra security maintenance
measures like regular penetration testing. So they have peace
of mind about Assure 2's security."
— Yan Naing, Senior Software Engineer at SATO Vicinity
Throughout the development and implementation process, Senior
Software Engineer Yan Naing has been impressed with Zato Source's
personalized, responsive service and deep expertise.
"I'm really happy with Zato Source's service. They are really
responsive, fast, and always willing to help."
— Yan Naing, Senior Software Engineer at SATO Vicinity
Business Challenge
Upgrading an existing product to replace
legacy technology, while ensuring smooth,
ultra-secure integrations to meet stringent
hospital IT policies
Solution
Zato's flexible, powerful integrations and
expert support shortened development time
and helped meet critical security requirements
Benefits
The upgraded app gives customers peace
of mind on data security and the transition
caused no disruption to business operations
"Without Zato, we would have to write all
the integrations and implement everything
on our own. With Zato, all we need to do
is make use of its features to connect to various systems. So development is optimized,
and our time to market is much faster."
— Yan Naing, Senior Software Engineer at SATO Vicinity
