How to set up EMIS Web on your own PC

Due to Covid19, a lot of GPs have had to do more home working / remote access. A few GPs got given laptops with all the software included, but in my experience, the laptops can be a bit hit-and-miss. I thought I'd do a guide on how to setup home working on either your PC or Mac. I'm assuming you have set up Windows Bootcamp on your Mac, but if you haven't I will post another guide on how to Bootcamp your Mac.

You will need:

-          Certain files contained in here.
-          Card reader or keyboard with card reader - the one below is very commonly used (affiliate link):

-          Smartphone (optional)
-          Windows 10 (may work on earlier windows though haven’t tried)
-          Ideally an antivirus software

Firstly email support@egton.net saying you would like access to the EMIS VPN. Below is an example email:

You have to give full name, Practice CDB code (e.g. 123), NHS email address and number. It takes roughly 24-48 hours for them to reply and they will give you a username which is usually CDB number, first initial, full surname @egton.

E.g. Joe Blogg’s username will be 123JBlogg@egton

They will also send an email from Safenet Authentication Server to register your soft token. 

Install VPN software

Download the files needed here. If you unpack/unzip the file onto your computer (e.g. Desktop), it’ll look like this: 

  

                                                                                                                       

Double click on the file highlighted yellow and install the VPN. Click through the various install prompts. Once done, the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client is now installed on your system. Then you need to wait for EMIS Support to get back to you.

Setting up your Password

You can set up your unique randomised 6 digit password for your VPN on your phone or on your PC/Mac. I found it easier on my phone.

There is a specific android and apple app for it, search for ‘SafeNet MobilePASS’ in the app store or follow the links below:

Click Below to download from Apple Store:

   

   

Click below to download on Google Play:

And if you really want you can download it on PC here. Article on how to install it can be found here.

Once you have the email from Safenet Authentication Server you can then activate your account and enrol your soft token/password. You can only do it on one device, either your phone or your PC/Mac – not both. It is best to open the email and link on the device you wish to use to generate the password to prevent any mistakes. I feel using it on your phone is better as it's more portable. Below is the email they send you:

You will need to create a PIN the first time you set it up:

Then you get to your 6 digit code which is used to log into the VPN:

How to connect to the VPN

Launch the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client from the desktop icon. It looks like this:

Select the EMIS Secure Remote Access profile and click Connect.

Enter your username.

>

Put your 6 digit code from your MobilePass app into password field and press OK. I have found that if you wait and generate a second code, you more consistently join the VPN.

It should confirm your connection.

Installing Card Reader

If you have Windows 8 or 10 – Install Gemalto Classic client 6.1 64-bit Windows.msi

If you have Windows 7 – Install Gemalto Classic client 6.1 32-bit Windows.msi

Most people with relatively modern computers should be using 64bit version if unsure.

Then install NHSDigitalIdentityagent.msi.

All these files can be found in the Google Drive's link at the top or here in the Smartcard Essentials folder.

I would suggest a restart of your computer after all that is installed.

If you have issues with installing it due to .Net framework (like from a fresh install of Windows on a Mac), then you will have wait for Windows to fully update to its newest version. If it still doesn’t work then try below:

·    Type "features" into the search box on the bottom left of the screen or after you’ve  pressed the start menu. Then Select "Turn Windows Features on or off".
·     Scroll to ".NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)" and tick the box. Then press OK.
·     Once the installation has completed try installing the smart card software again.

 For your card to be recognised, the identity agent should be running, the icon looks like this:

If it is not there, you can turn it on via the icon on the desktop or in the start menu.

Plug in your card reader and put in your card and see if it works. The login screen asking for your PIN should appear. It will not work if you are not connected to the VPN.

Installing EMIS

Go to the Google Drive and download the file called EMISHealthInstaller.exe. 

Open the file when you are connected to your VPN.

Put in your into the Organisation ID. 

Once this is done, select the option to launch EMIS and it should try to update. This won't work unless you are connected to the VPN.

This can take some time, around 10-15 minutes. Once this is done, EMIS icon should be on your desktop.

Summary

Once you have everything installed and updated, to get onto EMIS Web is as follows: 

1. Connect to VPN with username and 6-digit password
2. Once connected to VPN, connect card reader and insert your NHS smart card to login to your organisation
3. Open EMIS Web
4. Once finished, disconnect from VPN

I will be going over other clinical systems such as Accurx, DXS, Lexacom and Docman10 in a further post soon. 

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