Why
do you require a consultant?
Telemedicine is at the cutting edge of technology where the frontiers are
confusing, blurred or unknown. There are many companies in the fray and most
concentrate on only niche applications. Each one can provide to you only what
they have and mostly as a pre packaged bundle. They generally assess
your requirements by what they feel they can sell to you rather than
what you actually require. Their sales rep spouts a lot of technical
jargon, confusing you completely, ending with the standard one-liner "We
know what is best for you". Many of these companies have IT techs with low
or negligible medical background. World over there have been and will continue
to be, reports of purchase of Hi tech equipment which have rusted away in a
cellar because of lack of technical manpower, spares, or just incorrect
selection. Bottom line - The company with its negotiating skills would have
made its sale, but the confused buyer is left holding the baby. Not to be
forgotten is the exorbitant price he paid for it ! Remember, a successful
telemedicine is not just hardware... It is a intelligent synergy of hardware,
software, middleware, manware and lessonware.
Telemedicine
applications can be very powerful tools of social emancipation as well as profit
generators; they are, however, generally, expensive to setup. Therefore, one
should never make the error of falling for sales talk, because of inadequate
inputs, in this highly technical field (to be frank , how do you expect a doctor
to be a whiz at IT?).
This is where a consultant comes in. He is well versed with the technology
available in the market and he (not being affiliated to any single company),
will be able to give to you an honest report using a combination of the best and
most practical technologies relevant to YOU or your company. He will be YOUR man
negotiating with THEM for the best that YOU need.
BPO the money saving mantra: Today most businesses are striving hard to lower their input costs. The latest tool is BPO or Business Process Outsourcing. In simple words it is cheaper and easier to hire outside experts to carry out your vital (but non-core) business requirements rather than be saddled with a department (and the consequent problems) for the same. An example would be a medium level business house, hiring staff cars on requirement rather than maintaining its own fleet. Look at the flexibility, freedom and savings (in cash and kind) it offers. Hiring a Consultant who offers "turnkey" services offers the same advantages. For telemedicine, Telemedconsultant is THE answer.