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ibml Scanners Selected to Support Prescription Processing

ibml, a leading provider of scanning and document capture solutions and services, today announced that Prescribing Services, part of the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (NWSSP), has deployed two ImageTrac high-speed document scanners. Part of Prescribing Services’ technology refresh, the ImageTrac scanners already have helped the organization improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of capturing data from prescription forms.

The prescription data captured on the ibml scanners is integral to the healthcare system in Wales. The data is used to calculate the reimbursement due to community pharmacies, appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and general practitioners that dispense medication for National Health Service (NHS) prescriptions. The data is also used to manage, and budget for, the use of medicines in Wales.

Since 2004, Prescribing Services has operated a scanning center to process prescription data. In addition to capturing prescription data, the center uses sophisticated workflows to facilitate a range of processes, and makes prescription images available to external medicine management services.

Last year, Prescribing Services began an extensive evaluation of available scanning solutions. Beyond replacing its aging hardware, the processor wanted to increase the amount of data captured in-line during the scanning process, including support for 2D barcodes. After completing its pre-qualification process, Prescribing Services invited three suppliers of high-speed scanning solutions to submit bids in November 2010. Each of the vendors also participated in benchmarking tests.

After combining the results of the benchmarking tests with scores for criteria, such as the bidder’s financial stability and its track record in high-volume scanning environments, Prescribing Services awarded the contract for its technology refresh to Kodak, which sells and maintains ibml’s high-volume, intelligent scanning solutions throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

“In our benchmarking tests, the ibml ImageTrac was more accurate in providing key recognition results than the solutions proposed by other short-listed candidates,” said Neil Jenkins, business services lead, Prescribing Services. “We were also happy with the price-performance quoted by Kodak/ibml, and their solution provided an easy transition that was more rapid and safe than any option presented by alternative suppliers. We have found Kodak and ibml to be responsive and easy to deal with every step of the way, although we have had little need to call upon their support.”

“Installation couldn’t have been simpler. We deployed the new ibml units one at a time over a two week period to ensure a smooth transition. The units were up and running immediately, requiring only a few small configuration tweaks to meet our specific requirements. The interface and operating procedures were very familiar to our operators, so no re-training was required,” he added.

NWSSP has now set its sights on using its ImageTrac scanners to automate other mission-critical functions. “We are piloting a number of projects, which would suit the ImageTrac’s broad capability, including invoice processing and staff records handling,” said David Hopkins, head of Prescribing Services at NWSSP. “We believe we can leverage our investment in the ImageTrac to bring wide-ranging benefits to NHS Wales as a whole, at minimal additional expense,” Hopkins said, adding that Prescribing Services’ ImageTrac scanners have spare capacity to handle other applications.

“Both Kodak and ibml pulled out all the stops to ensure our units were delivered on time and within budget, in accordance with our very aggressive schedule,” said Jenkins. “We have no regrets about switching suppliers, and we look forward to working with Kodak and ibml long into the future.”

About ibml

ibml provides intelligent scanning and document capture solutions that drive business process improvements from the point of capture—whether it’s a high-volume centralized operation or a remote office. Combining hardware, software and services, ibml’s comprehensive solutions automate the most demanding document applications in banking, financial services, healthcare, government services, outsourcing and more. Every day, hundreds of ibml customers across 41 countries use our technology to capture millions of document images.