EBME Forums Forums Maintenance Biomed Databases Looking beyond Medical Equipment Databases

We're currently in the process of looking for a replacement for our database. As part of this we're looking at suppliers of systems "outside" of the traditional Medical Equipment Database suppliers. The companies supply "service management" software, the kind of software the medical equipment manufacturers will use to manage work.

From what we've seen so far, many of these packages are very feature rich and we've found no reason not to pick a specifically medical package.

I was just wondering if anybody else had gone down this route?

Andrea

There have been many threads on topics similar to this new one, Andrea. Have you tried the Search tool?

Otherwise, if you'd care to be a bit more specific with your question ... ?

What kind of environment are you working in (you give no clues at all in your Profile)? What sort of database are you looking for? What are you using at the moment? Looking beyond ... towards what, I wonder?

If can't make up your mind which one to go for, then why not look more closely at the price?

Working in a large accute NHS trust with a large medical equipment management department (about 40 engineers). We work as a business so have SLA's with the divisions and with private customers.

We currently use SEMS for our system.

In a nutshell, we need something that will do at least what SEMS already does. Has strong contract management facilities, preferably offers a mobile solution for offsite work and will hopefully allow us to work paperless.

I've had a look through the forums before and the only things I've seen discussed are the systems written specifically for medical equipment management. I was just wonering if we're the first NHS department to look outside of these systems at more generic service management software?

Andrea

No, you are not the first. Many others already use systems that turned out to be unsuitable (not to mention an extreme waste of taxpayers' money)!

I believe that Optim (distributed in the UK by Philips Medical Systems) makes an attempt at the sort of things (I think) you're talking about.

Meanwhile, have you taken a look at F2? I only mention this, as I'm told that it has an "easy" migration path from SEMS.

Failing that, as you have a large department (with, hopefully, a budget to match), why not "think outside the box" and consider a bespoke solution?

Mariner will be mobile! already runs on a PDA!

Ed

We're considering all of the one's you've mentioned. Plus quite a few others.



Why re-invent the wheel? Why try and do work in a business we're not skilled in (IT systems development). Ending up with a bespoke system, with very little chance of future development. Although the initial outlay will be more, it's better to purchase a system that has a large user base (we're taking several hundred clients in some cases) and has a team of skilled developers working on upgrades.

There is a chance we might have to compromise slightly on some things, but the benefits far outweigh having to employ someone to knock up a bespoke system.

We have just had BacktraqFM intalled. Very early days yet, but may be worth a look at.

http://www.inths.com/web.html

Andrea,
We have used a facilities management system for 14 years and has served us well. It's called Concept and is supported by Facilities Software International (FSI). It's a lot cheaper than the purpose written medical devices systems and covers all our equipment management requirements.

I'm afraid you've lost me on this one, Andrea (is it just me, or are you arguing with yourself?). It sounds like you've already got a certain system in mind. So why not tell us which one you're thinking of? Perhaps then someone might be able to advise.

What type of system is it you're looking for, then? A service tracker (eg, a call logging and service response tracking system), an asset management system, business management ... or what?

You've already got SEMS (so you know what to avoid next time), and you're saying that (having already seen all those on offer) you want to "look beyond" standard (?) medical equipment management systems. And yet you don't want to consider a custom solution.



... benefits of what?

Why not sit down and decide what it is you actually need?

Andrea.
What are your reasons for dropping SEMS? The reason I ask is that we used SEMS for 5 years but moved to a new package (in our case the new package was EMATS) as soon as we possibility could.
Worth while down loading the demo from their site and have a look see.
Again I would be interested to know why you are moving from SEMS.

Morse