EBME Forums Forums Maintenance Biomed Databases Philips Optim

Not in the great scheme of things :-) If you would like to know more give me a call.

Roger, Fixes are always a bone of contention (look at Microsoft) but you tend to find that fixes come with updates. An example of this is our latest release (which is not an upgrade) which has a few fixes but also a number of improvements which users will not get if they dont have subscription.

Does any one know of a web link so I can demo the optim database?

Geoff,

Optim system we was quoted over 40 grand for the complete set up!!!, thats big bucks

Thanks for that info, Skip.

That would keep me going nicely for a few years!

But you haven't finished the story ... did you buy it? What are you doing instead?

Didn’t spot your earlier comments on this one Geoff, thanks for the mention (as I read through the thread).

I tend to agree with you heavily in the respect that if you want a particular feature then you had best be prepared to add it yourself as it may never quite be done the way you want it.

What we have done is use EMAT as our very sturdy 'backbone' with its wealth of good features and add what I would call the icing on the cake stuff to it through MSaccess ODBC drivers.

The features that we have added make our life easier:-

1) PPM NOTIFICATION - Sends out an automated professional looking MSword letter (via e-mail) to the department manager & equipment controllers with a full inventory of equipment, broken down with missing equipment, contract equipment and items to be serviced. Indicating who will be arriving, which date and requests any feedback prior to the visit. It warns them of their responsibility to decontaminate the devices and their own liability as managers to ensure their equipment is safe (i.e. provide access to our team).

2) POST PPM REPORT - Sends out as above a fully comprehensive service report of what was done, not done, missing, repaired during inspection, etc.

3) KPI GENERATOR - Carries out a whole lot of KPI based calculations from the database (downtime, percentages, types of work, totals) and throws it into an ms excel spreadsheet.

4) ERROR CHECKER - Cross checks our data for missing attributes such as purchase price, date, wrong service category, etc.

5) DEVICE ADVISORY WARNING – If a newly delivered medical device is NOT currently maintainable by the in house team, then with a few clicks a notification is sent via e-mail to all the departments’ key contacts and managers explaining the process of ensuring its safety and setting up a service contract if necessary. A copy of the letter is attached automatically to the equipment inventory so that we can provide proof of notification. It is our responsibility to advise the user that these things need to be done. The warning system also monitors for devices which have already been notified without action, allowing further ‘reminders’ to be sent as necessary.

Yes, agreed some of these bolt-ons have taken time to develop however NONE of them have taken longer that it would take to do the process manually and they have all been designed for further modification and tweaking without using code i.e. anyone can modify an msword template after all

I have made it no secret to the Ascribe (EMAT) developers that there are features that I would rather have integrated into their product than have conquered myself (so that others can use them). They have always listened with an open ear and we have seen many of our ideas come to fruition for the benefit of all of its users.

I like your approach, Joe. Take something that is good, and then build upon that solid foundation.

Unfortunately, it would seem that many other biomed shops expect it all to be done for them, as it were. A "one size fits all" (off the shelf) approach, I suppose you could call it. But, to be fair, not every tech has your level of computer skills. Perhaps that will change as "new blood" comes into the departments with the passage of time.

I would add a word of caution about adding seemingly endless features to a commercial system, though ("feature-itis", leading to bloated software). In fact, I would advocate a solid "bare bones" database engine, lean and efficient, with all the basic stuff built in, but with "handles" (hooks) to enable tweaks and enhancements which may be regarded differently at different sites. Much as you have already done, by the sound of it. Configurable, in a word.

I notice, however, that no mention has been made about the price of your chosen system. Why are these things such a big secret?

After all, Ford and Vauxhall are in competition, but their prices are available to anyone who's interested. To my mind, a decent product doesn't sell on price, but on features, quality, reliability, usability, etc.

We have road tests of cars ... why not a head-to-head of all the the contemporary CMMS's? Now, there's a thought!

Stooping to conquer? Nice ... but if you're really into sharing, Joe ... why not open source?

We are still evaluating the three systems available
Will let you know which one they all plump for in due course.

And they say theres a credit crunch

Yes, that's yet another reason why you probably should be looking at alternative ways of getting what you need!