MSA Signs as a Tandem Healthcare Alliance Partner; MSA's imaging solution ported to Tandem's Integrity NR servers

Business Wire, March 4, 1996

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 4, 1996--Tandem Computers Incorporated announced today an alliance partnership with Raleigh, N.C.-based Management Systems Associates, Inc. (MSA).

This partnership brings together nearly 50 years of expertise in US healthcare markets. MSA's optical-imaging document management system is currently being ported to Tandem's Integrity NR platform to provide instant access to online patient information. Healthcare providers will take advantage of Tandem's scalability, reliability, and availability through the most sophisticated healthcare document-management solutions available.

MSA's document management system, part of its new enVista4 the Continuum solutions, consolidates both electronically generated patient records and scanned paper-based forms and documents. EnVista4 addresses not only the basic needs of a hospital information system but also the advanced requirements of clinical databases, computerized patient records, multimedia object repositories, and financial data warehousing for managed care. EnVista4 is a set of applications and foundations that provide access to information -- access to anything, by anyone, from anywhere, at anytime.

"Imaging technologies are becoming widely accepted in the hospital industry as a proven method of reducing costs and increasing services offered to medical staff, patients, and healthcare providers," said Christa Ritchie, director of Marketing Services at MSA. "Together with Tandem, we will combine data from both the clinical and financial operations with workflow intelligence, enabling healthcare administrators to successfully manage their information."

Lutheran Medical Center, based in Brooklyn, N.Y., will be the first Tandem and MSA implementation of the enVista4 document imaging solution. This solution will rely on a Tandem Integrity NR 4412 server based on the UNIX(R) operating system. Features of this solution include multiuser access to documents; ability to expand system and built-in security; and immediate access to images, text, voice, or full-motion video. An integrated master person index allows users to search and index by patient number, medical record number, patient name, or other custom database criteria.

"Data, including training videos, voice files, caregiver notes, vital signs, and images from previous admissions or outpatient visits will be instantly available throughout the network, resulting in efficient and economical patient care and services," said Bruce Dougherty, Tandem's vice president of Solutions Marketing. "As multimedia object repositories become more prevalent in the healthcare market, bandwidth issues will be answered by Tandem's ServerNet technology."

With more than 25 years of experience, MSA offers the most advanced solutions for imaging, clinical data repository, and healthcare consulting as well as a full-feature healthcare information system.

Founded in 1974, Tandem Computers Incorporated (NYSE:TDM) designs technology solutions that companies rely on to compete in a business world that runs 24 hours a day. Tandem's ServerNet architecture is a revolutionary technology providing virtually unlimited bandwidth for media-rich, data-driven business applications. Tandem, a US$2.3 billion company headquartered in Cupertino, California, has offices, strategic partners, and providers in more than 50 countries around the world. -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Tandem, Integrity, and the Tandem logo are trademarks of Tandem Computers Incorporated. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company Ltd. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

CONTACT: Tandem Computers

Michael Hakkert, 408/285-6933

World Wide Web Home Page Address: http://www.tandem.com