Toshiba strikes PACS deal with Agfa

Toshiba America Medical Systems and Agfa have signed a value-addedreseller agreement in which Toshiba will be able to sell Agfa'sImpax PACS line in situations where it is also selling multimodalityequipment. The nonexclusive deal finally gives Tustin, CA-basedToshiba a PACS line to compete with those of its multimodalitycompetitors.

Toshiba plans to use the deal to leverage sales of imagingequipment, rather than become a PACS vendor, according to LeslieFerrini, manager of Toshiba's connectivity systems group, whichwas formed earlier this year. The agreement is restricted to theU.S. at present.

For Agfa, the relationship gives it another distribution channelfor the Impax line, according to John Glass, Agfa's senior vicepresident of technical imaging. Toshiba becomes the RidgefieldPark, NJ, company's second multimodality OEM, following a dealwith Elscint signed last year (SCAN 11/22/95). Agfa will probablypursue more OEM deals, Glass said.

Toshiba and Agfa are collaborating on a PACS installation commissionedby Genesys Hospital System. Genesys is building a new facilityin Grand Blanc, MI, called Health Park, which will be filmlesswhen it opens in February. Last month's agreement formalizes therelationship that began at Genesys, according to Ferrini.