Microsoft To Acquire Healthcare Specialist

Microsoft said Thursday that it has reached an agreement to buy out Sentillion Inc., a privately held developer of software tools for the healthcare industry.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.Sentillion offers identity and access management systems for healthcare environments. Its products include the Vergence single sign-on tool, proVision automatic provisioning system, and Tap & Go authentication system.

Sentillion's customers include University of Pennsylvania Health System, the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs, Kettering Health Network, and Texas Children's Hospital.

Microsoft officials said the acquisition will deepen the company's presence in the growing market for healthcare IT systems.

"Microsoft and Sentillion share a vision of a connected health system in which the free and rapid flow of information, coupled with streamlined access to a hospital's myriad healthcare applications, empowers doctors and nurses to perform their roles with greater insight, speed, and effectiveness," said Peter Neupert, VP for Microsoft's Health Solutions Group.

Microsoft said it plans to integrate Sentillion's context and single sign-on technologies into its Amalga UIS real-time data integration solution. The aim is to give physicians real-time access to patient information and other key, clinical data.

"With its commitment to improving health and the global resources it brings to bear, Microsoft is the perfect partner to expand our efforts worldwide," said Sentillion CEO Robert Seliger, in a statement.

Microsoft is stepping up its investments in the healthcare IT market, which is expected to experience solid growth in light of President Obama's mandate that all citizens' healthcare records must be digitized by 2014.

Microsoft shares were up .67%, to $29.91, in late afternoon trading Thursday.

Blue Cross of Northeast Pennsylvania, the University of Louisville School of Medicine, and a range of large and small healthcare providers are using mobile apps to improve care and help patients manage their health. Find out how. Download the report here (registration required).