Philips assumes control of former Marconi PACS operation

New parent assures customers of support

Philips Medical Systems has taken over service and support for the PACS division once run by Marconi Medical Systems. The decision, reached shortly before the RSNA meeting, has Philips taking over about 30 Marconi PLC employees who were supporting the PACS business out of Philips' Cleveland operation. The group includes both field and Cleveland-based service and technical support personnel, who have focused on supporting Marconi's 30 or so enterprise PACS sites.

Initially, Marconi's PACS division was not included in the purchase of the former Marconi Medical that included the company's CT, MR, and nuclear medicine business units. Marconi had shopped the PACS division to a number of vendors but found no takers, until now.

Marconi Medical's PACS division was primarily an integrator of third-party PACS software and hardware. Much of the hardware came from GE subsidiary Applicare, in particular its diagnostic workstations. The software, notably for archiving images, came primarily from German software vendor Image Devices.

Marconi's PACS customers were understandably worried about how their systems would be serviced. They expressed concern to Philips that that their substantial investments in PACS would not be supported, leaving them orphaned.

"We basically stepped up to the plate to take care of these customers, who felt as if they had been abandoned," said Eric Mahler, Philips Interis Radiology Marketing Manager. "These are extremely critical systems, and Philips is committed to making sure that these hospitals are able to continue to provide high-quality healthcare."

Marconi's former PACS customers will not have to make a commitment to Philips PACS, but the company will assist them in eventually migrating over to their Interis PACS, if they choose to do so. Marconi's PACS customers include VA Atlanta, University of Utah, and Bronx Lebanon Hospital.