Networks First wins management and support contract for McKesson UK networking customers
Specialist providers to support healthcare IT specialist customers
08 January 2007: Networks First, an independent provider of support services for network infrastructures, and its healthcare partner Bates IT have announced they will be assuming the management and support of the networking division of McKesson UK, the UK subsidiary of the world’s largest healthcare services and healthcare IT company.
Effective from the 1st January 2007, the move means McKesson UK’s networking staff, products and services will be transferred to Networks First and its partner Bates IT, both of whom have established working relationships within the Healthcare arena.
As an international provider of IT products, software and services exclusively to the healthcare industry, in the UK McKesson supports virtually every aspect of healthcare, providing over 350 NHS organisations with a range of services that include patient administration and clinical services delivered at the point-of-care as well as business, HR and financial applications. All of this is underpinned by a full suite of outsourcing and managed services. McKesson UK has worked as the prime contractor on the NHS Wide Clearing Service and for the NHS Electronic Staff Record, implementing an integrated payroll and HR system for 1.2 million NHS staff.
The decision to move its network services to Networks First and Bates IT is part of a wider business strategy that will see McKesson UK focus on future opportunities based around expanding and delivering this range of software delivery services across the NHS.
Charmaine McDonald at McKesson, explains: “Networks First and Bates IT have been specifically chosen to ensure that our customers receive the best networking services available. From an everyday perspective, the delivery of the network services will be unaffected. Customers will continue to be served by their existing contacts, and the terms and conditions of networking contracts will be unchanged after the transfer.”
Networks First, a specialist provider of support services for network infrastructures with multi-vendor, mixed technology capabilities, currently maintains the networks of a number of McKesson’s customers and has a PASA framework agreement. It will deliver full network support to the existing McKesson customers through its partner, Bates IT and as a focused services company, can also provide experience and expertise across a broader range of network infrastructure issues such as IP Telephony, convergence and security.
Bates IT is a specialist channel company with a wealth of Healthcare experience. It has worked in conjunction with a number of Primary Contractors, including McKesson, in numerous NHS Trust Hospitals as well as Primary Care Trusts.
Peter Titmus, Managing Director, Networks First, said: “This is a significant event in the development of Networks First. It further cements our position in the market and is an excellent opportunity to showcase the calibre of our network services.
He continued: ‘We are committed to providing a service that helps our partners and customers achieve excellence. McKesson, Networks First and Bates IT are working together to ensure that this change is carried out efficiently and that any concerns that the customers may have are addressed. With this in mind, we are working closely to discuss and agree the details of the transition arrangements with every customer.”
Steve Whitrod, Executive Director of Bates IT added “Our intention is to offer a ‘one stop shop’ of technology products and services to our Healthcare customers. Bates IT and Networks First both have an excellent record of service delivery, customer loyalty and specialist knowledge which will provide an excellent starting point to our new Healthcare customer relationships”
Notes to Editors
About Networks First
Networks First is an independent provider of support services for network infrastructures. Established in 1990, it is a partner focused support services organisation with multi-vendor and mixed technology capabilities. Going beyond the traditional ‘break fix’ approach, Networks First’s commitment is to the restoration and ongoing sustainability of networks. The technical knowledge of Networks First engineers is of the highest level with 300 man hours spent on training activities in the last 12 months. Each engineer has on average 14 years experience and specialist skills in LAN and WAN, security, wireless, IP Telephony, Microsoft and VPNs. Partners include Computerlinks, EDS Global Field Services, Sun Microsystems, Dell and Crane Telecommunications.
For more information please contact Rebecca Dunstan/ Emily Droogleever at Portfolio Communications on 020 7240 6959 or rebecca.dunstan@portfoliocomms.com/ emily.droogleever@portfoliocomms.com
About BatesIT
Bates Infotech is a well established ISO 9001 accredited supplier of hardware and solutions providing round the clock cover for mission critical systems and services. BatesIT specialise in the delivery of outsourcing solutions to the healthcare market and has long standing business relationships with several large University Hospital Trusts and Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). BatesIT’s understanding of the specific I.T. and business needs of Healthcare organisations in the NHS is a key success factor for building and maintaining lasting and successful partnerships. Partners include LogicaCMG, HP, Fujitsu Siemens, and Brother.
For more information please contact Steve Whitrod at Bates Infotech on 020 7 476 6444 or 07885 765066. Email steve.whitrod@batesit.com
About McKesson
McKesson Corporation is the world's largest healthcare services and technology company. McKesson has been in existence since 1833 and has a turnover in excess of USD $80 billion, ranking it 16th on the FORTUNE 500.
As a global healthcare company, McKesson is dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes and improving the quality and safety of patient care. Over the course of its 173-year history in the U.S., McKesson has grown to provide pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients.
In the UK, McKesson is exclusively dedicated to the provision of IT services to the healthcare industry, empowering professionals in this field to deliver, maintain and track high levels of care. McKesson is the Prime Contractor for the NHS Wide Clearing Service and for the NHS Electronic Staff Record, implementing an integrated pay and HR system for 1.2 million NHS staff.
McKesson's IT services support virtually every aspect of healthcare, including patient administration and clinical services delivered at the point-of-care be it in the hospital, community clinic or patient's home as well as business, HR and financial applications. All of this is underpinned by a full suite of outsourcing and managed services, ranging from full on-site service delivery to remote facilities management of hardware from one of its data centres. The company employs over 500 staff at Warwick, Romford, London, Sheffield and Newcastle-Upon-Tyne delivering services to more than 350 NHS organisations.
For more information, visit www.mckesson.co.uk or www.mckesson.com
