Forum Archive Index - May 2000

["Osbert Sun" <osbert.sun@xtra.co.nz>]

26-May-2000 - CHROME GLOBAL SIGNS $2.1M eHEALTH DEAL

Internet and e-commerce provider CHROME Global today announced the signing of a $2.1 million contract with New South Wales medical group, Pacific Medical Imaging (PMI).

The deal is the first major project signed by CHROME Global's eHEALTH business unit and is an important signal to the company's shareholders and to the market that CHROME Global is working towards fulfilling its long-term business strategy.

CHROME Global Managing Director Kevin Baum said "CHROME eHEALTH currently has about $51 million worth of potential work in its sales pipeline, which will have a significant impact on CHROME's earnings."

"The current projects in the pipeline are located in Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and New Zealand" Mr Baum said.

"In addition to this regional demand, CHROME Global has received strong demand for its eHEALTH solutions from parties in South East Asia and India, which complements CHROME's strategic growth into these regions."

Under the deal announced today, CHROME eHEALTH will implement a complete patient scheduling and result reporting system, in the first instance, to 25 of PMI's radiology practices throughout New South Wales. The implementation will cover the provision of all software, hardware, maintenance, training and technical support.

PMI's Chief Executive Peter Schultz said, "we believe this is a strategic decision to enable PMI to utilize the converging technology that will enable radiology to move into the multimedia and eHEALTH space. The selection was based on finding a partner that can supply an open systems environment giving the organisation access to leading edge technology and business solutions in the diagnostic imaging sector."

The PMI deal comes just 2 1/2 months after CHROME Global announced the formation of its dedicated eHEALTH unit, a business vertical aimed at delivering e-commerce solutions to the health sector.

CHROME eHEALTH incorporates a strategic partnership with the world's largest information technology company IBM, and distributorship rights in Australia and New Zealand for three world-class, health related e-commerce solutions.

About the Distributorship Applications:

Quadrat is a Belgium company that has developed the Radiology Information System (RIS), which provides a complete booking and scheduling system for radiologists.

Markcare Medical Systems has developed the Picture, Archival and Communications Systems (PACS) which captures and electronically stores images of x-rays, ultrasounds etc. Markcare has also developed Teleradiology, which allows doctors and specialists in remote locations to view electronic images via computer and assist in the diagnosis/treatment process.

Worldcare Technologies has developed a Telemedicine platform for regional, national and international clinical information exchange, and leading solutions for clinical image management and distribution.

Mr Baum said the health sector was an exciting arena and CHROME Global had employed people who understood the relevant business drivers and could actually deliver real business benefits to its customers.

"A great deal of time and resources have been invested in establishing CHROME's health vertical and through our staff's hard work and dedication we are now well placed to establish a strong foothold in the lucrative health market" Mr Baum said.

Mr Baum said David Genner, Business Development Manager for CHROME Global's Sydney office had worked with PMI for several months to refine the business solution which now streamlined PMI's interaction with doctors in respect to patient scheduling, report and image distribution. PMI was now positioned as a leader in the use of eHEALTH solutions delivering major efficiencies in the provision of health care.

Issued on behalf of CHROME Global Ltd by Professional Public Relations.

Media contacts:

Kevin Baum, Managing Director, CHROME Global Limited, (08) 9325 3000
Peter Harris, Professional Public Relations (08) 9322 4355

Web sites:
www.chromeglobal.com