Microsoft Canada Co. and the B.C. Provincial Health Services Authority Together Improve Access to Specialized Healthcare Services
Windows SharePoint technologies connect the B.C. Provincial Health Services Authority to help improve information flow across the organization
MISSISSAUGA, ON - August 16, 2005 - Microsoft Canada Co. today announced that the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) in British Columbia has selected the Microsoft® Office System to help the organization integrate information and knowledge sharing in a collaborative environment across its provincial agencies and specialized health services.
With over 20 agencies and services running different network infrastructures, communications vehicles, desktop systems and shared drive structures, the PHSA identified Windows SharePoint technologies as the best way to enable collaboration across the entire organization.
"When PHSA was formed, it consolidated services, such as human resources, payroll, finance, communications, and IT or information management allowing us to redirect resources into protecting patient care. One of our challenges was to enable each agency to access these PHSA corporate services," said Ellen Chesney, chief communication officer, PHSA. "As part of our web strategy, we wanted to create a single place for staff, partners and patients to interact with the PHSA and access services, information and people. SharePoint technologies are a solution that enables us to customize the way we support sharing information and knowledge amongst staff and partners."
Working with SoftLanding Network Solutions Inc., a business and systems integration services consulting company, PHSA upgraded its desktops to Office 2003 and Windows XP, and its servers to the Windows Server System. It then implemented Windows SharePoint technologies to provide an Intranet where staff can access relevant information, including human resources (HR), supply chain and finance data and to create collaborative work sites for small groups to share documents, hold online discussions and communicate as a team.
"Beyond sharing static information, we wanted to provide staff with the ability to collaborate with their peers and between agencies. The integration between Windows SharePoint technologies and the other Microsoft Office System applications was the reason we chose this Microsoft solution," said Don Henkelman, Chief Information Officer, PHSA. "It provides us with a flexible, adaptable and customizable way to access and present information and then share it in real-time with our stakeholders.
When the PHSA was created, there was duplication of administrative departments, such as HR and Finance, across the organization. With Windows SharePoint Portal Server, the policies, practices, standards and procedures of eight different agencies were streamlined into one, allowing all staff to use the same forms, adhere to the same policies and follow the same procedures.
"With the Microsoft Office System, Canadian organizations are able to consolidate information and streamline business process to help cut down on duplication of work, errors and barriers to collaboration," said Mike Bulmer, product manger, Microsoft Office System, Microsoft Canada. "The PHSA is an example of an organization that has taken advantage of the integrated innovation the Microsoft portfolio offers and has used it to significantly make an impact on the way its business functions and its employees communicate and collaborate."
About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Microsoft Canada is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario with MSN.CA offices located in Toronto, and eight regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Visit Microsoft Canada's Web site at www.microsoft.ca
About SoftLanding
SoftLanding is a premier business and systems integration service company specializing in the architecture, implementation and support of Microsoft based technology solutions. SoftLanding offers project management, network architecture, systems implementation, integration services, custom development, custom training as well as second and third level support services. SoftLanding aims to exceed expectations by truly understanding client needs and focusing on providing the best possible service delivery. SoftLanding works with clients to identify and recognize complete business solutions that allow them to effect positive change. SoftLanding is a Microsoft Certified Partner, Dell Professional Services Partner and a Softchoice service partner for Microsoft infrastructure service solutions.
About the Microsoft Office System
The Microsoft Office System is an easy way to help more people use information to positively impact their business. Through a system of familiar and easy-to-use programs, servers and services, users can connect people and organizations to information, business processes, and each other -- helping ensure they derive the most value out of information. The Microsoft Office System consists of Microsoft Office 2003 Editions, Microsoft Office FrontPage® 2003 Web site creation and management tool, Microsoft Office InfoPath 2003, Microsoft Office OneNote® 2003 note-taking program, Microsoft Project and Project Server, Microsoft Office Publisher 2003, Microsoft Office Real-Time Communications Server 2003, Microsoft Office SharePoint® Portal Server 2003 and Microsoft Office Visio® 2003 drawing and diagramming software. Enabling technologies, such as Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services, Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 operating system and Exchange Server 2003, enhance the features and functionality of products in the Microsoft Office System.
