Microsoft launches EMEA Health User Group
- 7 November 2008
A year after Microsoft first announced plans to establish a health user group (HUG) for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), it this week announced the launch of the online forum.
Microsoft EMEA HUG will be managed and run by the US Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HMISS). The official launch was announced this week at HIMSS’ World of Health IT event in Copenhagen.
Taking its cue from the long-running Microsoft HUG in the US the new EMEA sibling is billed as a an online forum to “connect healthcare communities throughout the region”.
Microsoft says the HUG offers an innovative forum, designed as “a venue for partners and developers of healthcare technology solutions to collaborate on aspects of solutions built on Microsoft platforms”.
The current US HUG comprises more than 5,000 members and 31 corporate supporters, with a shared interest in “implementing vendor – and user- developed software based on Microsoft technology” to improve healthcare quality and efficiency, while reducing complexity and cost.
Tim Smokoff, general manager of worldwide health at Microsoft. "This collaboration enables the ecosystem to strengthen itself. Partners can further support their businesses, customers can improve their services, and both achieve a stronger return on their investments by learning from others facing similar challenges – all while working towards the goal of improving health costs, quality and access for citizens."
Stephen Lieber, CAE, president and CEO of HIMSS said: "Managing Microsoft HUG enables us to further promote our mission to lead change in the healthcare information and management systems field through knowledge sharing, advocacy, collaboration, innovation and community affiliation.”
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