why doesn't MDR take over COO?, page-3

An accretive merger would seem more sensible! MDR would get access/integration with Corum's software platform which serves approximately 2000 pharmacies. Even though some would already be using MedAdvisor many would not. Corum's cash holdings of about $10m would be very handy extra funds for the merged entity to drive additional expansion.

It is certainly has been tough going for Corum (and all the other providers). The competitive environment brings out the best and their most recent efforts by improving service level coupled with IT innovations have stabilised their customer base. The time is certainly right for some sensible business decisions in the "health software as a service" arena where there are too many small insignificant players seeking a piece of a market that potentially has the scope to grow exponentially with the advances healthcare technology and connectivity between patients and health service providers.

The key opportunities lie in the area of diminishing administrative burdens for the healthcare professionals who want to focus on patient care and the organisations who bare the high cost of administration. This all relates to improving the efficiency of the administrative pathways/interactions of doctor/hospital/paramedical/patient/pharmacy/medicare/private insurer/ bean counters etc etc. The explosion of administrative staffing and associated costs in the health services area in the last 30 years belies the fact that IT technology advances in that time should have assisted restraining administrative cost blowouts. Exactly the opposite has happened, not surprisingly because of the diverse free enterprise environment that healthcare and information technology operate in. Confidentially, intellectual property, political, castle building, and many other issues have hindered sensible integration. The Governments E-Health initiative struggle to gain ground in this self centred healthcare environment where the best interests of the patient come a poor second.

So MDR is in a great position to grow in this fractured health care environment of ours. A merger with Corum could be another small step in the healing process helping to integrate two providers of complimentary services.