Seeking Validation

Originally Published MX September/October 2004

SPECIAL REPORT: IT IN HEALTHCARE

The cost and time required to validate new or upgraded software can be a major hindrance to the adoption of IT-based systems for medtech manufacturers. But IT vendors are working hard to simplify the process.

According to Marcus Yoder, vice president of industry marketing at Agile Software Corp. (San Jose), many medtech companies are paying up to twice the price of their software packages for validation services alone. Agile's solution is to offer a set of validation templates that cover each of the company's out-of-the-box functions. And when a function can be configured to suit a company's individual needs, so can the validation template. According to Yoder, Agile's tool kit helps companies validate their systems 80% faster, and also saves companies a tremendous amount in consulting fees.