Survey: Way to Establish Proficient IT Infrastructure - The Implementation of GIP in Healthcare and Life Sciences Companies.

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Frost & Sullivan is pleased to announce its partnership with the Life Science Information Technology Global Institute (LSIT), in conducting an exciting new survey on IT practices within life sciences companies. This survey targets life science companies and their IT partners in order to gain a better insight of the challenges faced in managing risks associated with the use of information technology for the life science industry. Furthermore, this analysis seeks to understand the impact of developing Good Informatics Practices (GIP) while gauging the needed level of guidance for improving quality and trust within the IT life sciences sector.

Currently, IT engineering is not a core competency for most Healthcare and Life Sciences companies. In order to support the overwhelming demand for these companies to utilize intricate IT systems, various functions within these sectors require significant use of complex and multiple IT platforms. This is seen as a major challenge, primarily, because these tasks are extremely significant in exploring and treating diseases at a cellular level, along with developing and utilizing procedures that treat and cure diseases world wide. However, these companies do not have the resources to be taking on these systems and tasks solely by themselves.

To participate in this brief survey, please visit: http://www.lsit.org/newsite/survey.php.

In a 2005 survey conducted by LSIT, results demonstrated a critical need of trusted IT guidance in the life science and healthcare industries. Additionally, over 200 senior life sciences professionals worldwide identified the key areas where guidance is most needed: IT Security, Data Management, Testing and Validation, and IT Infrastructure Operations.

As a result, LSIT has developed Good Informatics Practices (GIP) -- trusted IT guidelines, which address these areas. Currently, the organization aims to communicate these to a broader community for valuable feedback. To verify our information we will test the following hypotheses:

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"This survey will provide a nice backdrop to our first public review of the emerging GIP for Life Science IT," stated LSIT Board Chairman, Elaine Wuertz. "It is important we listen to our peers in order to understand the issues and find the best practices to help IT and QA departments. This survey helps us do that."

"Analysis of the survey results will assist in understanding the level of guidance needed in establishing trusted IT systems; provide insight into the benefits that different stakeholders perceive, and how these benefits vary by company size," continued Frost & Sullivan's Healthcare Sr. Vice President & LSIT Board Member, Greg Caressi. "This survey is important in working towards industry accepted guidance, which will ultimately result in reduced costs and headaches for companies, as well as regulators in the future."

Life Science Information Technology Global Institute (LSIT) is a not-for-profit independent organization, focused on the importance of developing and providing trusted, reliable, and secure IT solutions to further the advancement of life sciences and public health worldwide. The member organizations that are part of LSIT believe it is critical to implement GIP, because Information Technology is a highly vital component that enables a company to be efficient, successful, and competitive.

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