Merge eFilm announces rapid growth in first quarter

MILWAUKEE -- Merge Technologies Inc. announced Wednesday that its net sales are up 41 percent in first-quarter 2004, compared to first-quarter 2003. The Milwaukee-based company, which does business as Merge eFilm, said its success came in part through the acquisition of RIS Logic, a radiology information systems provider.

RIS Logic's products were integrated with Merge eFilm's picture archiving and communication system, or PACS, used in radiology to eliminate film and display images from X-ray, MRI and other scans digitally.

"The rapid and successful integration of RIS Logic, the market adoption of our Fusion RIS/PACS solutions and corresponding emphasis on North American direct sales, the design and development of our next generation RIS/PACS in close collaboration with our customers, and the strengthening of our professional services organization all contributed to delivering a strong first quarter," said Richard A. Linden, president of Merge eFilm.

Merge eFilm provides hospitals and clinics with RIS/PACS software and services. During the last quarter, it released a new version of its diagnostic imaging software and brought together a group of radiologists to guide the company's development. It claims 143 customers, representing 290 health-care facilities, of its Fusion product line, which includes RIS, PACS, and the combined product.

"We have remained consistent in our focus on imaging centers, small to medium size hospitals, and specialty clinics ... . Our product innovation efforts continue to focus on our healthcare target market's need for a filmless and paperless environment delivered by an integrated RIS, PACS, billing, dictation, voice recognition and document management software solution," Linden said.