News release

Sharp HealthCare Chooses Compaq Services, Equipment for Systemwide Upgrades

2-Year, Multi-Million Dollar Program Enables New Capabilities, Process Improvements, and Lower Costs

Sharp HealthCare—one of the "100 Most Wired" U.S. healthcare systems by Hospitals and Health Networks magazine for the third consecutive year in 2001 and the top ranked health system in California for the fourth consecutive year according to Modern Healthcare magazine—chose services and products from Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) to expand and update Sharp HealthCare's information technology (IT) infrastructure and user access devices.

Projects include adding server capacity for Sharp HealthCare's clinical information system, conversion of messaging and collaboration systems to Exchange 2000, data storage system enhancements (including both StorageWorks and SAN systems), desktop computers, and wireless communications supporting mobile applications for physicians and other patient care professionals.

"Sharp is San Diego's healthcare leader. Our fundamental goal is to exceed patient expectations and make the overall healthcare experience for patients, physicians, nurses and support staff nothing less than exceptional. And, we are only successful if this experience is provided in a convenient, cost-effective and accessible manner," said Sharp HealthCare senior vice president and CIO William A. Spooner. "Compaq is helping us make significant improvements to our data infrastructure—and improved access to our systems—which will pay off for our patients in smoother processes, improved efficiency, and a better ability to control our costs. What has truly impressed us is our Compaq team's dedication to finding and proving quality, effective technical solutions quickly and delivering on their promises."

Sharp HealthCare is an integrated healthcare delivery system operating four acute care hospitals, three specialty hospitals, three medical groups, nursing facilities and a variety of other community health education programs and related services throughout the San Diego region of Southern California.

"Compaq is grateful to have as highly recognized a customer as Sharp HealthCare bring our relationship to ever higher levels with this kind of end-to-end, enterprise partnership," said Jim Milton, Compaq's senior vice president and general manager, North America.

"Sharp HealthCare inspires us to do our best work, whether finding the best solution for their challenges or turning around a proof of concept unit—loaded with Sharp's software image, tagged, and custom labeled—within a single day," added Compaq's Milton.

Compaq NonStop Himalaya servers running the NonStop SQL database will be the foundation for Sharp's electronic medical record. Sharp is working with IDX Systems Corporation (Nasdaq: IDXC) to implement its Carecast™ clinical repository and physician order entry system on the fault-tolerant, massively scalable NonStop Himalaya platform. Also, Compaq AlphaServer systems are enhancing Sharp's core IT systems, running IDXtend®, an integrated, enterprisewide, Web-based business performance solution. This effort also includes installation of StorageWorks consolidated disk systems and Storage Area Network (SAN) technology. Compaq also provided services, a network of industry standard Compaq ProLiant servers, and StorageWorks equipment to migrate Sharp HealthCare's messaging system to Exchange 2000.

Capping several major initiatives, Sharp HealthCare opted for Compaq standards on desktop computers and monitors throughout their facilities. Each of these platforms is configured, custom labeled, and asset tagged prior to delivery for tracking in the healthcare provider's inventory management system. This enables fast, low-cost wireless-based inventory management the moment Compaq systems arrive at Sharp HealthCare facilities. All of Sharp HealthCare's Intel-based computers and servers are configured, tagged, and delivered from the Compaq Direct facility in Ontario, CA.

In addition to implementation of Compaq Storage Area Network (SAN) solutions, Sharp HealthCare also relies on Compaq Global Services for support of all servers—Himalaya, AlphaServer, and ProLiant industry standard servers—as well as StorageWorks and other IT equipment in the healthcare provider's facilities. The total value of projects described above is estimated at more than $10 million over two years.

Company Background

Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation is a leading global provider of information technology products, services and solutions for enterprise customers. Compaq designs, develops, manufactures and markets information technology equipment, software, services and solutions, including industry-leading enterprise storage and computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, communication products, personal desktop and notebook computers, and personal entertainment and Internet access devices that are sold in more than 200 countries directly and through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Information on Compaq and its products and services is available at http://www.compaq.com.