Hi-Tech Management Systems and Hitachi Ltd. Announce the Electronic Clipboard
PASADENA, Calif. — August 17, 1992 — Hi-Tech Management Systems and Hitachi Ltd. (NYSE: HIT) announce the Electronic Clipboard(TM), a new hand-held, pen-based computer, based on the Intel386 SL (16 MHz) microprocessor. Weighing little more than a conventional pen and full clipboard (about 2.7 lbs. including battery), it's as convenient and easy to use as a pencil and paper. But with 4 MB of RAM and 40 MB of storage, it is infinitely more powerful. An additional 4 MB of extended RAM is optional.
Pound for pound this could be the most powerful PC available.
The Electronic Clipboard operates on Microsoft Pen Windows and DOS. Intel flash memory cards provide the storage (currently a maximum of 40 MB). An on-screen keyboard can be called up at any point during programs running on windows.
This ultra-light-weight unit was designed for optimum mobility — the high-tech replacement for the clipboard common to many businesses and industrial settings. Back in the office it can be connected to a desk-top unit or other computer by LAN card or Modem Card. Data can also be transferred by removing a flash memory card and placing it in a memory card juke box. External options include a keyboard, 40 MB hard disk drive and a 3.5-inch 1.4 MB floppy disk drive.
Hitachi originally created the Electronic Clipboard(TM) in accordance with market research data supplied by Hi-Tech Management Systems, for the healthcare industry — which has high demands for sturdiness, portability and reliability. This is a computer the doctor or dentist can easily carry from room to room. The Electronic Clipboard was originally conceived as a means of automating patient billing and insurance claim submission for healthcare providers. Using Electronic SuperBill(TM), a software application in development by Hi-Tech for the Electronic Clipboard(TM), billing data for each patient can be entered by just touching the screen. At the end of the day, this data is transferred directly, or via modem, to a desktop computer for billing and insurance claim submission — all electronically.
In most offices, a doctor fills out a paper superbill; the data is transferred onto an insurance claim and into the patients' account records; billing is then done. The process is time-intensive and error-prone. Error in insurance billing, as any doctor can attest, severely inhibits a practice's cash flow.
"There is no system on the market today which allows the private practitioner to collect data from the patient, send insurance claims and receive the benefits totally electronically — no paper," stated Greg Duvall, founder of Hi-Tech Management Systems. "This is a medical industry first."
In a joint venture with Hitachi, Hi-Tech has in development several other applications specifically for the healthcare industry and is also working on market research applications. Hi-Tech Management Systems is the exclusive North American distributor and service and support organization for Doctor's Electronic Clipboard(TM) and Electronic SuperBill(TM). Potential customers can call Hi-Tech Management Systems at 800-832-4008.
Based on prototype demonstrations to major distributors, doctors and hospital chains, initial orders of several thousand units are expected. The U.S. market for this product is estimated at several hundred million dollars annually by 1993.
Hi-Tech has been quietly developing and supplying cutting-edge electronic productivity aids to the health care industry since 1988. For further information, media should contact Bradlee Sweigart, director of public relations for Hi-Tech Management Systems, at 818-449-2554.
ELECTRONIC CLIPBOARD PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
MANUFACTURED BY:
Hitachi, Ltd. Japan
DISTRIBUTOR:
HI-TECH Management Systems
131 W. Green St.
Pasadena, CA 91105
818-449-2554
FAX: 818-449-3008
AVAILABILITY: November 1992
MAIN PROCESSOR: Intel386 SL (16 MHz)
RAM: 4 MB (Expandable to 8 MB)
ROM: 256 KB
MEMORY I/O: 2 Flash memory slots (40 MB total memory) conforming to PCMCIA 2.0 and JEIDA 4.1 standards
DISPLAY: 8 inch Sidelit LCD 640 x 480 — 16 grey scales VGA (Color LCD in development)
TABLET: Analog touch screen
OTHER I/O: RS232C Serial Port External Floppy Connector, External Keyboard Connector, 1 ISA Expansion Slot
POWER SUPPLY: Rechargeable NICAD cells or A/C adaptor
SIZE: 11 1/2 inches x 8 1/4 inches x 1 inch
WEIGHT: 2 3/4 pounds with battery
OPERATING SYSTEM: Pen Windows & DOS, PenPoint in development
OPTIONS: 40 MB HDD, 3 1/2 inch 1.4 MB FDD, LAN Card, Modem Card
SOFTWARE: Any commercially available DOS or Windows applications; Many industry-specific applications available November 1992
CONTACT:
Greg Duvall, founder, or Bradlee Sweigart of Hi-Tech Management Systems, 818-449-2554