Network Computingwww.networkcomputing.com

AHA places a lot of emphasis on its site because through it the association can reach and educate those wanting to learn about heart-related problems and diseases. "Few Web sites make an intersocietal impact like ours," Stokes says. "People are looking to make lives better for themselves and others." The site (www.americanheart.org) receives more than 150,000 hits daily from consumers and medical professionals.

The association not only designed its Web site, but built a corporate intranet as well. Silicon Graphics' SGI Challenge S and Indy Web servers operate both the Internet and intranet portions of the network. By July, Stokes plans to provide an online system that will let consumers order publications, medical supplies, software and instructional tapes. Lucent Technologies' Conversant voice-response unit will improve communic ations and let AHA draw information from databases.

Stokes forecasts that, within the next four years, all brochures and informational materials will be consistent no matter where the patient may receive them. "People can grab current information live off the Internet [a nd intranet] without going through an old brochure rack at a doctor's office," he explains. Consumers can get AHA brochures by calling, using a faxback service or by downloading them off the Web site.

With so many people having access to the intranet as well as the Web site, how does AHA stop intruders from plugging up its valves and arteries? Stokes reports that Cisco's PIX firewall provides the protection the association needs from hackers or pesky viruses.

Employees use Microsoft Corp.'s Office Suite for e-mail, word processing, and, along with Solomon Accounting Software, for financials. Microsoft PowerPoint helps staffers create graphics for presentations and brochures. Information courses through all computers' veins from th e Internet access provided by Netscape Navigator. The accounting, time-management and general office personnel use NetWare for daily tasks, but plans to move to Windows NT within the next 18 months, according to Stokes. "We're trying to evolve to a bigger client/server world and NT is the best choice," Stokes says.

Toll-free operators use customized software for their daily operations, according to Stokes. The association designed its customer information system for fundraisers to keep track of donations and other details when they work in the field.

"Our main challenge is rising above those who have doubts about our decision with equipment," Stokes says. " 'Did you do the right thing with the donor dollar?,' people ask. We always have to prove that we did."