EHI’s industry news roundup 20.03.08

E-Health Insider’s industry news round up for the week ending 20 March 2008 featuring supplier news, acquisitions and appointments.

Supplier news

Philips and Ascent Profit sign €25m deal for digital radiography systems in China

Royal Philips Electronics and Ascent Profit, a Chinese medical equipment wholesaler, have signed a €25m contract to bring digital radiography systems to hospitals in China. This is the continuation of an initial agreement made in 2007 and will enable hospitals across the country to benefit from advanced imaging capabilities and the efficiency of digital workflows.

IBM signs nine partners to its SOA strategy

IBM has announced, in collaboration with nine business partners, its strategy for bringing SOA Foundation to various healthcare applications. The nine business partners were chosen because they represented those applications which stand to make the biggest impact on the healthcare industry, and cater to more than 8,000 clients worldwide. Those business partners are BlueWare, Carefx, CGI Solutions and Technology, Ricoh, Convergence CT, HIPAAT, Lawson, Nortel and Siemens Medical Solutions. In adopting the SOA strategy, vendors can help healthcare providers increase the quality of their care and reduce costs, IBM says.

COA Solutions launches new website

COA Solutions (formerly CedarOpenAccounts), a UK-based supplier of integrated business management and information systems, has launched its redesigned website, www.coasolutions.com. The improved, new-look website is aimed at senior management from a range of UK service sectors and has been designed to provide easy-to-navigate, sector-specific information and resources to assist software buying decisions.

Acquisitions

IMS MAXIMS acquires preView Health

IMS MAXIMS has announced the acquisition of preView Health, the provider of sexual health solutions to the UK from CIS Healthcare. An important customer base in the sexual health (GUM and HIV) and family planning software systems market over recent years has been developed by preView Health in recent years.

Appointments

AXA Framlington appoints new healthcare funds manager

AXA Framlington has announced the appointment of Andy Smith as fund manager to its healthcare team. Smith will run the AXA Framlington Biotech Fund, working closely with Deane Donnigan, Gemma Game and Antony Milford. Andy will report directly to Robert Kyprianou, CEO, AXA Framlington when he joins on 3 April 2008.

OLM Group appoint new personalization programme manager

Sam Newman has been appointed as OLM Group’s new personalisation programme manager, and Jerry Hall has been promoted to senior business development consultant. Newman was formerly assistant director of adult social care at Devon County Council and will lead OLM’s personalisation propositions from 1 April.