Business Editors/Health-Care-Industry Writers

IRVINE, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--May 17, 2000

Alteer Office Among the First Software Solutions for Physician

Offices to Incorporate Microsoft's Newest Healthcare Technologies

Alteer Corporation, an e-health company that deploys workflow management solutions via an application service provider (ASP) model, announced today that Alteer Office(R), the company's latest generation of software for physician offices, now supports Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows for Smart Card technologies.

Since its introduction to the marketplace in 1999, Microsoft platforms and products have been an integral component of Alteer's systems.

"Alteer has done a very good job of leveraging the Microsoft infrastructure to create a solid workflow management system for physician offices," said Paul Smolke, industry manager for e-health and physician market segments at Microsoft. "This system was built from the ground up with Microsoft technologies at their core and utilizes the advanced interoperability and performance of Windows DNA technology to deliver more options and additional convenience in the emerging physician ASP marketplace."

Microsoft Windows 2000 was specifically designed for Internet users. In conjunction with other key Microsoft technologies such as SQL Server 2000, Office 2000, Windows 2000 and eXtensible Markup Language (XML), Alteer is offering a system that will make e-commerce and the Internet a viable and working strategy for physician offices.

Another new feature for Alteer will be its ability to support Windows for Smart Cards. At the size of a credit card, the Smart Card has a crypto-capable microprocessor and can perform a number of practical applications, such as secure corporate log-ons for Windows 2000; Web and phone authentications for health plan member benefits; and medical data storage. Recognizing the value of a simple card that can help users securely access the Internet, a growing number of health plans and insurers are moving toward Microsoft's Windows for Smart Cards.

"The Smart Card will enable health plan members to have increased access to their health records without compromising security or convenience," said Smolke. "By supporting this technology, Alteer is poised to help physicians and their patients gain the benefits the Smart Card can offer."