Healthcare Technology Featured Article

May 07, 2009

Healthcare Technology and News: Degama Software to Acquire VoIP-based Healthcare Solutions Provider IgeaCare


Much of the focus of the technological advances being made in the telecom space focus on the general enterprise market — as it should, given the common needs for features and capabilities of the general business community.
 
But, some of the most important sectors have their own custom needs — notably the healthcare and education markets, which services that are crucial to the overall well-being and development of our society as a whole.
 
That’s why many communications industry vendors are also developing solutions that specifically address those vertical markets. Take, for instance, IgeaCare, which develops communications systems for the healthcare and education markets, as well as public safety and retail markets. It’s most significant impact to date has been with its healthcare products, including igeacom, which integrates the various features of traditional nurse call systems into a single converged telephony-based solution that has been available in North America since 2004.
 
The result is not only simplified deployment, use, and management, but to also a more efficient patient care system that leverages today’s IP PBX systems. IgeaCare has recently announced compatibility of its solution with Toshiba’s Strata CIX platform and Avaya’s IP Office and Communication Manager.
 
The attention the healthcare space is seeing, though, isn’t surprising. Healthcare facilities have been among the fastest adopters of the latest communications technology, since any increases in efficiency and reliability that can enhance patient care are likely to be well received (and hopefully well funded). 
 
That, combined with IgeaCare’s success in the space, is also why Degama Software Solutions has announced its intent to acquire IgeaCare. Degama has, until now, focused its efforts on navigation software solutions for the mobile phone market, but is now taking a leap into the healthcare space. Though details of the deal are as yet unclear, it’s likely the benefits of mobile technology in the healthcare market present a significant opportunity to combine its existing technology with healthcare specific solutions, like those from IgeaCare.
 
For instance, combining patient information with navigation information can help healthcare facilities more effectively address patient needs, especially in emergency situations.
 
According to early details, the one part of its business that IgeaCare will not sell is its telehealth division, Healthanywhere, which it plans to spin off into a standalone operation. Health anywhere is an eHealth solution that promotes self-care, regulatory compliance, privacy protection, and general quality of life enhancements, by allowing users to monitor their health in real time from smarthphones, PCs, or special Healthanywhere kiosks or desktop facilities. 
 
No further details are available but, on its surface, the deal seems a logical one, and one that provides an opportunity for Degama to enhance the value of its own solutions as well as the IgeaCare offerings.

Erik Linask is Group Managing Editor of HealthTechZone, which brings news and compelling feature articles, podcasts, and videos to nearly 3,000,000 visitors each month. To see more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Erik Linask
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