10Meters News Report

March 12, 2001 – Allscripts Healthcare Solutions and Microsoft are aligning to promote the Pocket PC and TouchWorks software as a solution for the healthcare industry.

As part of their agreement, Allscripts and Microsoft will work toward accelerating physician adoption of TouchWorks, Allscripts' suite of clinical solutions based on Microsoft enterprise technologies. The pact also calls for Microsoft to contribute funding, access to advanced technology, and marketing resources to Allscripts.

Specifically, the alliance is targeting larger medical groups; particularly the practices representing the 118,000 physicians that utilize practice management systems from IDX Systems Corporation. Allscripts recently acquired ChannelHealth from IDX and secured a 10-year strategic alliance in which Allscripts became the exclusive provider of integrated clinical systems for IDX practice management systems customers.

"Allscripts brings a deep understanding of physicians' needs, a proven suite of mobile applications in use by physicians today, as well as expertise with handheld PocketPC technology," said Davide Vigano, general manager of Microsoft's healthcare and public sector enterprise solutions group. Microsoft. "By combining these strengths with the flexibility and reliability of Microsoft .NET Enterprise Servers, including Windows 2000 Server and SQL Server 2000, we aim to accelerate the adoption of these solutions among physicians."

TouchWorks modules use handheld or desktop workstation devices to automate prescribing, charge capture, documentation, orders and results, patient education, and structured notes.