Here is the message from Lawrence. Looks good.
Note from SURG: This month we speak with Don Lawrence, VP of Sales and Marketing for SSP. Topics range from AORN, to hyper-deployment, to a shareholder's meeting. Next month we will feature questions submitted by any interested parties. Please participate by e-mail to donl@ssp-inc.com.
June 11, 1999
Things have been relatively quiet since the AORN nursing show, what is going on?
AORN held the expectations for being a “coming out party” of sorts for OASiS… and our expectations were significantly exceeded. We had a major presence there with our own booth, as well as a couple of OASiS TouchPorts in United States Surgical's booth. The traffic was very heavy in both locations and it was very evident that we turned a lot of heads.
You mean you attracted a lot of nurse's interest?
Well we certainly did that, but I was referring to major industry manufacturers. As a result, once they came by and touched the OASiS unit, we have found ourselves in serious talks with 4 very large suppliers of medical devices. It's really very exciting, and is just the response we had hoped for from the show.
Does this mean new business from them?
It means so much more than that… hopefully. You see, what we really learned was that, with an idea this profound (On-demand information in the clinical workplace), we attracted so much attention that it may have reduced our window of opportunity. With that in mind, we developed a hyper-deployment plan which creates unique partnerships with key manufacturers. These partnerships will utilize existing sales forces to place TouchPorts in hospitals at a rapid rate.
Hyper-deployment will put OASiS in hospitals all across the US?
Yes… and if executed properly, worldwide.
And this plan is working?
It's too early to tell for sure… but all indications are that it is very appealing to the strategic objectives of the potential partners. It allows them to have input on the hospitals that are to receive the TouchPorts, and it guarantees that they contribute valuable content to the OASiS network. No one has turned us down, and two of the potential partners have given us verbal commitments. We are simply working through some negotiating points.
Is there any forthcoming SURG news?
That is a common question… and one that deserves an answer. I know that all of our shareholders anxiously wait for any news from the company. But let me first assure you that just because an official news release isn't released , it doesn't mean that things aren't moving forward. What you have is a classic case of too few people trying to do too much at once. We are becoming a reporting company, and the tasks associated with that process alone are enough to keep a small staff busy. We don't have any one individual dedicated to that duty alone. Then, you have the creation of a network that will have a profound impact on the way healthcare communicates worldwide, and that alone is enough to keep a large staff very busy. Again, there are 8 of us... but I assure you as news events occur, we will release the
information immediately.
So, why not add the necessary people to launch this thing.
We have a very detailed plan for growth. It involves the recruitment of very high profile silicon valley-types that will be needed as OASiS enters hyper-deployment. We will be attracting marquee names in both healthcare and technology. We just can't do it until we begin the steps to hyper-deployment.
And hyper-deployment will attract these individuals?
I can't emphasize enough the impact that OASiS will have on healthcare, and the attention it will attract if properly deployed. Just look at the WebMD/Healtheon deal. There you have a web site deal attracting over 360 million in investment. Now that is exciting.
Are you suggesting OASiS will attract that type of investment?
No. My point is that industry recognizes the need for this content being delivered to healthcare workers. OASiS has the added advantage of delivering that content directly into the clinical environment, right where the healthcare worker needs the info. One could draw any number of conclusions based on that information.
Do you think OASiS could benefit from the technology/internet frenzy that seems to be occurring on Wall Street?
The fact is, we are a unique blend of information technology, healthcare, and the Internet. Our product is “on-demand information” and we have determined that the Internet is the best way to deliver our product. Most importantly, we have identified a real need in healthcare, and we have taken significant steps towards filling that need. We are ahead of the curve.
And what about the response from the initial customers?
They love it! Jeannie Nevins, RN at Partners AtlantiCare in Lynn MA said just today “OASiS is a hospital's best friend. It manages continual inservicing 24 hours and provides instant access to information for even computer novices”. And in New York's Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, Bernice Gordon, Director of Quality Assurance says “OASiS exceeds all of our quality indicators for the hospital. We are excited to be an early member of OASiS and the solutions they are providing healthcare.”
What about a shareholder's meeting?
A question probably best answered by our SEC attorney, but I'll take a shot at it. We have been in the comment period for our SEC 10SB filing. After we finish this exercise, we will then schedule the meeting. And I might add it would be one worth attending because I am anticipating some significant issues for shareholders to discuss.
Next month we will feature questions submitted by any interested parties. Please participate by e-mail to donl@ssp-inc.com. |
