Merge Healthcare announces new distribution agreement with Microdata Tecnologia

Merge Healthcare (NASDAQ: MRGE), a leading health IT solutions provider , today announced a new distribution agreement with Microdata Tecnologia LTDA, a PACS and Medical Imaging Technology manufacturer in Brazil. Under the agreement, Microdata Tecnologia LTDA will have exclusive access to a Portuguese language version of eFilm Workstation, the world's most downloaded software for viewing medical images. Microdata Tecnologia LTDA will replace the viewing component of their current PACS solution with eFilm Workstation and distribute the solution through their existing sales force, as well as through a customized eCommerce engine based upon Merge's existing eStore.

“We are happy to partner with Merge Healthcare to bring eFilm Workstation, a highly-regarded and well-known diagnostic workstation within Brazil, to our large customer base”

"We are happy to partner with Merge Healthcare to bring eFilm Workstation, a highly-regarded and well-known diagnostic workstation within Brazil, to our large customer base," explains Franco Motta, CEO of Microdata Tecnologia LTDA. "Our ability to leverage eFilm as a solution for institutions of all sizes will also help us to grow our PACS business and expand our product line into other solutions and services. Longer term, we are interested in working together to expand into additional Merge Healthcare solutions, which we believe would be well-received within Brazil."

Brazil is one of the fastest growing emerging markets in the world, according to global research and growth consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, and currently spends 8% of its GDP on healthcare. The PACS market in Brazil is estimated to grow at a 32.4% CAGR from 2005-2015, driven by overall healthcare technology adoption, and the efficiency and workflow improvements providers gain by using PACS solutions. Frost & Sullivan places Microdata as a top-tier competitor in the Brazilian market, with well over 20% market share.

"Microdata Tecnologia LTDA is an ideal partner for Merge Healthcare in Brazil, as they are an established PACS provider who can integrate with eFilm Workstation," says Justin Dearborn, Merge CEO. "Microdata realized that a Portuguese-language version of eFilm Workstation can help expand its reach in Brazil at a time when many imaging practices are making the transition to digital imaging. We look forward to expanding the reach and value of eFilm Workstation through this partnership and to exploring similar opportunities across our extensive portfolio of medical imaging and interoperability solutions."

The new Portuguese-language version of eFilm Workstation that Merge will release to Microdata Tecnologia joins a growing list of translated versions, including Spanish, Japanese, Russian and Polish language versions. In addition, Merge will create a customized eCommerce engine based on Merge's current eCommerce system, which has generated tens of thousands of downloads and licensed users worldwide.

SOURCE Merge Healthcare