HP, Mi-Co Implement Forms Automation Solution for Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority; Hospital Anticipates Forms-Processing Savings of Up to 60 Percent.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers/High-Tech Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 26, 2004

HP (NYSE:HPQ) (Nasdaq:HPQ) and Mi-Co today announced that they are supplying the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) with a forms automation solution to increase workflow efficiencies and decrease costs at its main campus in Cherokee, N.C. The CIHA plans to make the solution available nationwide in late 2004 to approximately 300 satellite facilities.

Using data-capture technologies from HP and Mi-Co, CIHA can create custom patient documents and convert them into electronic data in a matter of seconds. This is a significant improvement, given the more than 100,000 outpatient visits each year at the hospital. With this new technology, CIHA projects a savings of up to 60 percent in forms-processing costs and a 15 percent increase in third-party insurance reimbursements.

The HP Forms Automation System, a data-capture solution featuring the HP Digital Pen 200, will be used in conjunction with HP Tablet PCs to run the Mi-Forms Software System. To augment this solution, CIHA is using the Mi-Forms software for data verification and handwriting recognition.

"CIHA is a leading example of a company that recognizes effective solutions that can help ease tremendous pressure the healthcare industry is under to contain escalating costs while continually improving patient safety and the quality of patient care," said Chuck Kinzel, director, Americas Healthcare Industry Vertical, HP. "HP's industry-changing technology, delivered in partnership with software innovators like Mi-Co, enables healthcare organizations to balance these often conflicting objectives."

The data-capture, workflow solutions will allow CIHA healthcare providers to efficiently and confidentially send patient data into the Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS). This Indian Health Service information database is used at approximately 300 hospitals and clinics throughout the United States.

"For more than 15 years, the CIHA system has been plagued with the problem of how to get data into the RPMS effectively and efficiently," said Jim Eller, program analyst and developer, CIHA. "If data does not flow into the system in a timely manner, it can adversely affect our ability to deliver quality healthcare. The technology solutions from Mi-Co and HP will really improve our organization's ability to successfully manage our business and provide a caring, patient-centered environment for our community."

Mi-Co chief technology officer Greg Clary added, "By bringing the existing capabilities of Mi-Forms to HP's Forms Automation System, we provide customers the ability to shorten deployment time and reduce costs."

HP Forms Automation System and Tablet PCs

Using digital pen and paper technology, the HP Forms Automation System simplifies and speeds the process of gathering and entering information from paper forms. The forms automation process begins with a pre-designed form, which the user can print on standard office paper using newer HP LaserJet printers. During the printing process, a subtle dot pattern is added to the form's background, which identifies the form and its content fields and acts as a positioning grid recognized by the HP Digital Pen 200.

The HP Digital Pen 200 contains ink and writes like a regular pen, but also has a small built-in camera that captures the user's pen strokes, saving them in the pen's memory. HP Workflow Connect 200, a collection of software components, manages the forms workflow -- interfacing with the HP LaserJet printers, HP Digital Pens and enterprise back-end systems.

"The HP Forms Automation System merges the modern digital world together with traditional tools of written communication -- the pen and paper," said Don Palmer, director of business development, Digital Pen and Paper unit, HP. "Customers don't need to learn something new. Instead, they use basic writing skills to write on paper. The HP technology takes care of the rest."

The new HP Forms Automation System 1.1, also announced today, offers all of the benefits of the original system, plus enables an application service provider (ASP) model to allow customers of all sizes to quickly incorporate HP Forms Automation System technology without having to invest in the entire infrastructure. Responding to customer feedback on HP Forms Automation System 1.0, the new system offers easier forms design and simpler integration. In addition, there are new pricing models that provide volume discounts and pay-per-use options.

By adding the convenience of paper to the power of a PC, HP Tablet PCs are ideal for completing electronic forms in real time, making an administrator's job more efficient. The HP Tablet PC is a full-function PC that enables users to write directly on the unit's screen and to shift from desktop to notebook to tablet mode, offering unprecedented flexibility, performance and compatibility to users in fast-paced, ever-changing business environments.

More information about the HP Forms Automation System is available in an online press kit at www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press_kits/2004/fas/. More information about HP Tablet PCs is available at www.hp.com/go/tabletpc.

Mi-Forms Solution from Mi-Co

Mi-Co's Mi-Forms Solution offers a unique way for mobile users to capture, store, recognize and communicate handwritten information entered on paper forms. The Mi-Forms Software Solution provides the tools to build or adapt existing paper forms, capture form sessions, store, review and convert the data captured into electronic format. The Mi-Forms Software allows enterprises to quickly design, implement and integrate digital writing solutions across multiple platforms and processes. Mi-Forms can add value by reducing the costs of mobile data capture without altering the user experience, wherever enterprises collect forms-based data.

Besides CIHA, a growing number of healthcare organizations have implemented the Mi-Forms solution, including hospitals, healthcare agencies and military healthcare facilities.

About Mi-Co

Mi-Co, the mobile data capture company, provides digital writing software to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the entire process of capturing and using data. Mi-Co's end-to-end enterprise Mi-Forms Software System enables flexible forms design and the capture, handwriting verification and communication of forms based and free-form pen-on-paper data for enterprise users. Mi-Forms supports enterprise data capture using the Tablet PC, the Digital Pen, Pocket PC and signature capture devices. Mi-Co is headquartered in Research Triangle Park, N.C. For more information on Mi-Co, visit www.mi-corporation.com.

About HP

HP is a technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses and institutions globally. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing. For the four fiscal quarters ended April 30, 2004, HP revenue totaled $76.8 billion. More information about HP is available at www.hp.com.

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