Sage moves into healthcare IT market

The UK’s largest technology company and supplier of accounting software, Sage, has announced the purchase of Florida-based Emdeon Practice Services for £297m with a view to setting up a new division for healthcare software.

Kevin Cameron, chief executive officer of Emdeon, said: "We are very please to announce today’s transaction with Sage… We are also pleased that as the owner of Practice Services and a growing playier in the US healthcare market, Sage will work closely with Emdeon Business Services and our 85.8% owned subsidiary WebMD Health Corp. in the years ahead."

The company supplies practice management and electronic health record solutions, such as Intergy Practice and The Medical Manager and has 20,000 customers.

Reports say that Sage is not intending to supply the software in the UK, but rather grow a healthcare IT business in the US through further acquisitions. It will be based at Sage’s North American headquarters. Sage will also take the opportunity to market its accounting software to Emdeon product users.

The takeover is expected to be completed in September.