Ascom signs large service agreement

Sykehuspartner is one of Norway's largest public procurement and operating companies, managing hospital contracts for half of the country's hospitals, with a value of over NOK 7 billion (1.7 million €) annually.

In the ICT field, Sykehuspartner sees to the operation of services for 80,000 users, including the entire communication platform of 57 locations in southeastern Norway. It is with these hospitals that Ascom now has a total service agreement. When the regional super-hospital New Østfold Hospital comes into service in 2015, it will also come under the service agreement.

Ascom is a strong supplier to the Norwegian hospital sector. All 57 Sykehuspartner’s locations use Ascom’s communications platform for managing all critical communication including emergency alarms, personal alarms, patient calls and telephony. Up until now, 37 of the hospitals had individual service agreements with Ascom. With the Sykhuspartner agreement, all of the hospitals will have a uniform, formalized service agreement ensuring 24/7 service and support via a tightly meshed setup.

"Sykehuspartner takes care of all on-site first-line support via their helpdesk, but with a direct lifeline to our specialists in cases where their technicians cannot solve the problem. Our specialists are available 24/7 by phone and computer, and they will also go out to the location if needed. With this contract, the hospitals are guaranteed fast, professional support around the clock”, says Aage Rask Andersen, Managing Director of Ascom Nordic.

In addition to support and service, the agreement also includes software upgrades and training of Sykehuspartner’s system technicians.

"Ascom is very proud to have been selected by Sykehuspartner in Norway as their service partner. As a leading global supplier of mission critical communication solutions in health care, our local customer support and professional service offerings are crucial to make sure that the hospitals keep an uninterrupted communication for the safety of all patients and staff", says Dennis Andersson, Vice President Global Sales, Ascom.

Centralized procurement and operations

The comprehensive service agreement has been negotiated for quite some time and it is strategically important to Ascom. It is expected that the other Nordic countries also will combine their hospitals’ operations and procurement in units corresponding to Sykehuspartner.

"In both Denmark and Sweden they are beginning to centralize procurement and operations in order to strengthen competences and get better deals. It is a great and important advantage for Ascom, that we now have experience concluding an agreement on such a large scale as that of Sykehuspartner, and that we have the structure in place to handle it”, says Aage Rask Andersen.

The agreement also has great value for Sykehuspartner. Rather than having to manage many diverse agreements for the individual hospitals, the company now has a uniform contractual basis, which is considerably easier to administer and more cost efficient.

"When we took over operation of the hospitals, we inherited a variety of procurement and maintenance contracts. Aside from some of the contracts coming up for renewal, there was also a need to standardize the service levels. After a comprehensive process we chose Ascom, since they offer complete solutions. We've got an agreement with two levels of support at 57 locations. We are very satisfied with the agreement”, says Tommy Slaatsveen, Telecom Section Manager, Sykehuspartner.

ABOUT ASCOM WIRELESS SOLUTIONS

Ascom Wireless Solutions (www.ascom.com/ws) is a leading provider of on-site wireless communications for key segments such as hospitals, senior care, independent living, manufacturing industries, secure establishments, retail and hotels. More than 75,000 systems are installed at major companies all over the world. The company offers a broad range of voice and professional messaging solutions, creating value for customers by supporting and optimizing their Mission-Critical processes. The solutions are based on VoWiFi, IP-DECT, nurse call and paging technologies, smartly integrated via Ascom Unite into existing enterprise systems. The company has subsidiaries in 11 countries and 1,200 employees worldwide. Founded in 1955 and based in Göteborg, Sweden, Ascom Wireless Solutions is part of the Ascom Group, listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (ASCN:SIX).