About Us

Brief Description

HealthNet, at the University of Florida Health Science Center, is a service-oriented, customer-driven, fully funded central provider of network infrastructure, voice over IP telephony, and wireless networking.

History

HealthNet formally began in 1992 when the auxiliary was created. The purpose of HealthNet was to provide a centralized department with a stable funding source to install operate and maintain the network infrastructure of the Health Science Center.

The idea was to create a utility where colleges, departments and units could purchase network access without having to incur the cost of managing their own networks. Prior to the establishment of HealthNet, departments typically ran their own wires, and purchased and operated their own equipment. This created problems across the enterprise with respect to compatibility, quality, funding, and lack of installation and operating standards.

In 1998 HealthNet instituted the first operational lease on campus which allowed HealthNet to acquire network electronics on a four year cycle and easily respond to network needs without having to incur large capital costs, while complying with Federal Cost Accounting Standards.

In 2003 a voice over IP pilot was started with 50 phones. The system has since grown to over 3,350 billable phone lines.

HealthNet has also installed a HSC wide wireless network that is centrally managed.