Canopy Systems and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young Form Alliance Partnership to Provide Web-based...

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 29, 2002

Pair will work together to help healthcare organizations improve

the quality and cost-effectiveness of patient care

Canopy Systems, Inc.(TM), a leading provider

of secure, Web-based solutions for care coordination, today announced that it has formed an alliance partnership with Cap Gemini Ernst & Young U.S. LLC (CGE&Y), a leading consulting practice serving the healthcare industry, to provide Web-based care coordination applications to hospitals and allied healthcare organizations.

The alliance will leverage CGE&Y's consulting, clinical and technical integration expertise in serving hospitals and health systems with Canopy's product line, which uses the application service provider (ASP) model to provide utilization, case and disease management software across the continuum of care via the Internet. Canopy connects the entire care team improving coordination and communication of care.

Under the agreement, CGE&Y will train its employees on the benefits, features, and workflow of Canopy's products. CGE&Y will also assist Canopy in implementation and product support for joint clients. Canopy will work with CGE&Y staff to streamline CGE&Y's care management model in Canopy to increase the value to its customers.

"CGE&Y is pleased to join Canopy Systems in its mission to help healthcare organizations improve the health of their patient communities and impact the bottom line through care coordination programs," said Carol Belmont, Vice President, CGE&Y. "Canopy's solutions are designed for rapid deployment and offer quantifiable results within a distinct time frame. The incorporation of our care management model with Canopy will help hospitals realize a clear return on investment."

The alliance allows CGE&Y to provide its customers with Web-based care coordination systems that facilitate concurrent, evidence-based medical management, and supply the communications network needed to link all the care managers of an integrated delivery system.

"CGE&Y is the clear leader in providing clinical integration and care management consulting services to the healthcare market. The alliance capitalizes on the strengths, skills and relationships of CGE&Y and Canopy Systems," said Alan Winchester, President and CEO of Canopy Systems. "CGE&Y shares our commitment to improving the quality and cost-effectiveness of patient care. The company's clientele includes many of the largest and most sophisticated health systems in the country and we look forward to providing practical care coordination solutions for them."

About Cap Gemini Ernst & Young

Cap Gemini Ernst & Young (CGE&Y) is one of the largest management and IT consulting firms in the world. The company offers management and IT consulting services, systems integration, and technology development, design and outsourcing on a global scale. Cap Gemini Ernst & Young U.S. LLC (www.us.cgey.com/health) is the leading consulting practice serving the health industry, delivering broad-based, results-driven solutions for today's business challenges.

About Canopy Systems

Canopy Systems, Inc.(TM), Chapel Hill, N.C., (www.canopysystems.com) is the leader in providing secure, Web-based solutions for care coordination. The Canopy(R) product line utilizes the ASP model to provide case, disease, and utilization management applications across the continuum of care. Canopy Systems, Inc. is a subsidiary of The Medical Mutual Group of North Carolina.