Morning Morse.
What version of SEMS did you have and why did you ditch it?
How does EMAT differ from SEMS?

cheers

Mark.
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.
We were on the character based ver. 4.6.1.3.
Why did we ditch it?
Reasons are many and varied. Support costs were getting high. End users never warmed to it especially the MTO's. Setting up remote printers etc required major open heart surgery (unix networking ip addresses all that really interesting stuff). When we found that the GUI version wasn't much better we decided to look around as we do for all software over 5 years.
Sems had it's good points too. It's just that no-one every felt at ease using it and reporting was via a preset list of reports. IBS would of course set up new reports for you at a cost. No one here ever mastered the reporting skills necessary to generate our own. Lifes too short.
EMAT. Windows based, really easy to use. All reports can be dumped at the click of a button to excel. Capturing the costs of contractors and in-house PPM is excellent. PPM's job cards could do with a bit of expanding but I am discussing this at present with Barwick. Of course it's not the panacea for all our ill's(not yet anyway)but no piece of software is. Our managers use it. Need I say more.

Whatever happened to SEMS? Is it still in use anywhere?

We still use SEMS, but are about to replace / upgrade it.

Does anyone use OPTIM?

If so, what do you think of it?

WE have been using SEMS since 1993. Its not very user friendly I agree, it is useful for looking up equipment history tho.
A few people in our Dept are starting to use the GUI (Windows) version. The screen layout is identical, it just seem that you use a mouse to click on any number of buttons along the top toolbar, instead of using menus.

BSM

Have you spoken to Nigel Beaumont-Rydings at Oldham as he chairs the Optim Users Group or Jim McWilliams at Hinchingbrooke, Huntingdon as they are the Philips reference site. Other users include Hemel, Lincoln, City Hosp in Nottingham and a few more I can't quite remember. Addenbrookes and St George's are also in process of implementing

There is a user group meeting scheduled for this Thursday in Lincoln.

Good luck

Firstly - if this message is deemed inappropriate for this noticeboard (despite it's title) - my apologies.

SEMS v6.1 is on general release, and includes a lot of user interface enhancements and functional developments that make it very different to the 'character' version. The next generation of SEMS will be browser based, whilst co-existing with the current graphical version; asset maintenance functions will be the first to be implemented in 2005. All members of the SEMS User Group can have their say in the development - it will not simply be a 'copy' of the existing screens in a new format. Ease of use is a primary objective!

BSM

We have just been through a 3 month review of several systems, but the two that stood out were Optim (Philips) and E-MAT (Barwick Systems Ltd.).

After carefully weighing up the pros, cons and speaking to several existing users of both systems at numerous sites, including a visit or two and looking at the costs involved (short & mid-term) along with the on-going benefits we came to our carefully considered conclusion.

Out of the two systems we chose E-MAT and are currently working with the data and development to suit our site, here at Trafford, prior to launch.

If you're interested in reviewing our findings, I could probably make our report available to you.

Email me if it is of interest.

BSM

E-MAT is available for download from our website http://www.barwicksystems.co.uk
Under Products/E-MAT, you will be presented with a link to download the TRIAL version. This version comes with a trial database and context sensitive help.

I could provide an overview document which identifies functionality within the E-MAT (Medical Equipment Management And Traceability) system and its associated modules. These presently comprise the Training System (CNST), Equipment Library Module, Call Logger on the Web, Service History on the PDA, and PC System.
BSL believe by purchasing the core E-MAT system and integrating the Training System (recording those staff trained in the use of particular items of equipment) can assist the Trust to make net SAVINGS by reducing CNST payments.

With E-MAT you get ongoing development and you get a proven support capability with a UK based development team that have worked in the Health Service market for over 20 years.

Regards,

Paul.

Just a thought ;-

If you buy a software system from a medical company, does that give them a foot in the door if they want to take over the service ?