Omnicell Begins Deployment of vCommander(TM) for Proactive Remote Monitoring to Protect Critical Hospital Information Systems


Pharmacy information protected through secure internet connections

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 5 / -- Omnicell, Inc. (NASDAQ:OMCL) today announced plans to roll out vCommander, which provides added protection for hospital computer systems, including pharmacy information systems. vCommander, a healthcare industry first, is a part of Omnicell's new vSuite(TM) of service programs which proactively monitor system status and alert service personnel to potential problems before they can lead to system failure. vCommander addresses mission-critical support needs by enhancing both disaster prevention and disaster recovery capabilities.

The announcement was made during a news conference held at the 2005 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting.

Over the past six months, Omnicell has completed installation of the foundational vSuite program, vDirector(TM), in more than 200 hospitals nationwide. vDirector alerts Omnicell technicians when computer system performance indicators are outside of normal ranges, allowing Omnicell to intervene, diagnose, and resolve problems before a customer is even aware of an issue.

vCommander provides a higher level of mission-critical support by monitoring Omnicell server platforms and system modules. It ensures systems are operating within tolerance and detects various precursors to failure, such as hard disk and interface errors. Should a failure occur, Omnicell employs an array of remote tools and support services to optimize data recovery for customers.

"Information technology professionals and pharmacy directors are demanding mission-critical support services that are more proactive, capable of maximizing uptime, and designed to prevent failures," explained Michael Cline, Omnicell's vice president of service. "Protecting the information flow in the medication-use process is a primary goal of our vSuite service program."

vManager(TM) is the third component of vSuite. vManager adds important software and platform lifecycle management functions, such as remote deployment and verification of Omnicell software upgrades, anti-virus updates, and operating system patches. Updated with the latest software, systems remain highly secure and performance is optimized.

About Omnicell

Established in 1992, Omnicell is a leading provider of patient safety solutions preferred by nurses. Improving patient care by enhancing operational efficiency, Omnicell solutions are used throughout the healthcare facility -- in the pharmacy, nursing units, surgical services, cath lab, and all the way to the patient's bedside. The company's MedGuard(TM) line of solutions for the medication-use process includes systems for physician order management, automated pharmacy retrieval, medication packaging, medication dispensing, and nursing workflow automation with bar code medication administration. For the medical-surgical supply chain, Omnicell provides open bar code systems, cabinet-based supply management, integrated open and cabinet-based systems, and Web-based procurement. More than 1,600 healthcare facilities use Omnicell solutions to help reduce medication errors, operate more efficiently, and decrease costs -- ultimately contributing to improved clinical and financial outcomes. For more information, visit www.omnicell.com.

Source: Omnicell, Inc.

CONTACT: Bruce Lewis of Lewis & Summers Public Relations, +1-707-964-3844, or bruce@prwebsite.com, for Omnicell, Inc.

Web site: www.omnicell.com/

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