Siemens Medical Solutions have acquired the German health information systems developers Gesellschaft für Systemforschung und Dienstleistungen im Gesundheitswesen mbH (GSD).
GSD currently provide their i.s.h.med system to 260 hospitals worldwide, which they describe as “the only integrated clinical work station system for SAP for Healthcare” and have had a long-standing partnership with Siemens in ensuring the system’s SAP compatibility.
Siemens say the takeover will strengthen their position in the healthcare technology sector, helping them achieve their global growth strategy in the market.
In total, the acquisition of GSD will see Siemens assume responsibility for over 300 additional customers in 14 countries. GSD reported revenues of around €26m (£17m) for the fiscal year 2005.
After the deal GSD will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens Medical Solutions as part of the Health Services division, they will provide additional industry expertise helping to grow Siemens’ current installed base of health information systems.
Siemens’ president and CEO, Erich Reinhardt, said: “GSD’s enormous expertise in the development and implementation of health information systems presented us with a convincing case. Accordingly, the future will see us achieve even greater joint success in this area – with innovative products, outstanding service and tailored solutions for our customers.”
GSD will also help Siemens continue to develop its own health information service, Soarian, which it describes as a unique healthcare workflow engine that facilitates and tracks technology-driven workflows, designed to help users increase quality and efficiency, improve patient safety, and achieve desired clinical and financial outcomes.
Reinhardt commented: “To improve quality and efficiency in healthcare, we are putting our faith in optimised IT solutions such as our unique workflow management system, Soarian. The combined strengths of out Health Services division and the GSD team will help assure that our healthcare IT product and service innovation continues, as we work to reduce total cost of ownership for healthcare organisations worldwide.”
GSD’s managing director, Stefan Herm, said: “In examining our long-term strategic position and the intensive resources required to ensure a viable future in the global marketplace, we determined that pairing with a strong industry leader like Siemens would be the right approach to help protect our customers’ current investments and best position them for the future.”
Siemens had recently been mentioned as a possible purchaser of English health software developer iSoft. Other potential bidders linked to the company have include McKesson.
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