F1 IT & Oryx—Enabling Smart, Scalable Dental IT

Twenty-Two Years in Dental IT, Starting with a Broken X-Ray

William Kohl, Founder and CEO of F1 iT, first stepped into the world of dental IT by accident. At a routine orthodontist appointment, he helped fix a stubborn panoramic X-ray machine that had stumped the practice’s IT team. Twenty-two years later, F1 iT has become a trusted partner for dental practices nationwide.

Today, F1 iT serves practices of all sizes, from solo practitioners to large dental service organizations. With decades of combined experience, the team knows the ins and outs of software, servers, security, and everything in between.

Kohl was first introduced to Oryx through his clients. What began as an exploratory effort quickly turned into a relationship. As more clients mentioned their interest in Oryx, F1 iT began recommending it as a software option.

F1 iT works with a wide variety of organizations, each with different budgets, needs, and goals. Different practices prefer different digital imaging hardware from various brands, and Oryx integrates with a wide range of existing systems to support customer success. The reasons are clear: seamless integration, ease of use, and the flexibility to manage different imaging hardware and software setups. The F1 iT team rarely has to call Oryx’s support team for assistance.

The Case for Cloud-Based Platforms

With the rise of cloud-based technology, dental practices are moving away from in-house server systems, and Oryx is leading that shift.

“The world of technology is trending towards the cloud.”

William KohlFounder and CEO, F1 iT

Kohl points to several reasons why:

• Predictable Costs: Unlike in-house server systems, which carry unpredictable maintenance and replacement costs, cloud-based platforms run on predictable subscription fees. Data housing, security, and other expenses stay roughly the same month over month.
• All-in-One Platform: Rather than seeking out, installing, and maintaining multiple third-party apps that don’t necessarily integrate well, cloud-based software packages multiple features into one. Maintaining one application is easier than keeping up with a dozen.
• Automatic Updates: There is no need to schedule downtime for updates, since the cloud handles it automatically. F1 iT clients avoid turning a server off to update it, replace a drive, or run routine maintenance.
• Liability Shift: A software partner assumes a considerable amount of liability, taking responsibility for backups, updates, and data security while guaranteeing uptime. In a cloud environment, everything is tested and checked before release, which lifts an enormous amount of responsibility off the individual practice.
• Scalability: When expanding to new locations, cloud-based software lets practices add logins and licenses while maintaining a centralized database. That matters for multi-location groups, but startups shouldn’t overlook it either. A startup on cloud software from day one never has to migrate data to new locations later.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: The business world is almost entirely PC-based, but cloud-based software lets practices run entirely on Macs, or on a mix of PCs and Macs. Depending on staff preference, data can be reached from computers, tablets, or phones.
• Accessibility: Dentists can access patient records and build treatment plans from anywhere, including home. If an emergency comes up while a dentist is out of town, they can log in from an authorized IP address.

Addressing the Cons of Cloud-Based Systems

Kohl and F1 iT work with a wide variety of clients, many of whom are apprehensive about parts of switching to cloud-based software.

“I think it’s fair to address the cons of cloud-based software. But each con has caveats.”

William KohlFounder and CEO, F1 iT

Internet outages. Technology has improved significantly over the last decade and connections are more stable, but they occasionally go down. Kohl recommends proper network infrastructure with redundancy to mitigate the risk, and his team often sets up a secondary internet source or the ability to use a 5G connection, just in case.

Security and privacy anxiety. Patient privacy is a massive priority for practices. Kohl often meets dental professionals who worry that storing data in the cloud makes it more vulnerable and leaves them less control over security. He says that couldn’t be further from the truth, and points to the security layers his team sets up for clients: two-factor authentication, time-based one-time passwords, single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, and IP address filtering.

Learning curve. Change isn’t easy, especially in established practices. Switching platforms means learning a new one, which can disrupt operations or frustrate staff. Browser-based practice management systems are designed with highly intuitive interfaces to lower that barrier, and most support teams are on call to help with the transition.

“Ultimately, I think there are more pros than cons in the switch to cloud-based.”

William KohlFounder and CEO, F1 iT

Dental IT FAQs

Does cloud-based software save money?

Setting up a server requires licensing, hardware, and maintenance costs for local databases, security, backups, and updates. “If you stop there,” says Kohl, “sure, it can be cheaper in the short-term.”

On-premise servers come with hidden long-term costs. Downtime is unpredictable and extremely expensive. There’s also the refresh cycle, where equipment should be replaced every three to five years as part of regular maintenance, and those one-time costs add up.

Practices that offer features found in cloud-based software, like seamless online booking and streamlined patient communication, also gain a competitive edge. Building that same experience on an in-house server means integrating multiple third-party tools, all of which cost extra. If they aren’t integrated properly, practices risk a frustrating patient experience that costs money as patients move to competitors with better tech. In the long term, going cloud-based saves money.

Can I store 3D imaging in the cloud?

While cloud-based systems handle most dental data easily, 3D imaging remains challenging because of its large file sizes. Some vendors offer cloud storage for 3D images, but those images are not integrated with regular practice management systems. Kohl expects that to change: “It’s an engineering problem, and I think we’re getting close to solving it.”

Do you still need an IT team with cloud-based software?

“There’s this misconception that if you’re cloud-based, you don’t need IT management,” Kohl says. Critical components still fall to IT, such as making sure the network has redundancies and devices are protected against ransomware and cyberattacks.

“It doesn’t matter how small you are. For some people, their whole ‘career’ is finding vulnerabilities,” says Kohl. Cloud-based software protects data in the cloud, but it cannot secure office devices, backups, or compliance setup. That’s where IT teams stay essential.

Final Thoughts: Technology and Growth

For F1 iT, success isn’t only about fixing technical problems. It’s about helping clients grow.

“As an IT company, we care about the growth of our customers. If they’re successful, that’s ultimately a success story for us.”

William KohlFounder and CEO, F1 iT

By recommending Oryx, F1 iT gives its clients tools to streamline operations, reduce costs, and scale effectively.

“Investments in technology ultimately lead to a better patient experience.”

William KohlFounder and CEO, F1 iT

Take the Next Step Toward a Smarter Practice

Discover how Oryx can elevate your practice in a personalized demo. We’ll take the time to understand your needs, showcase the features and benefits most relevant to you, and answer any questions. You’ll leave with all the information you need to decide if Oryx is right for you. Schedule a demo now.