• buy 
• sell $
• about
• My DOTmed 

TUSTIN, Calif. - Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. has been named a winner in the fifth annual Progressive Manufacturing 100 Awards (PM100), sponsored by Managing Automation Media, a Thomas Publishing Company, LLC publication. Toshiba won in the category of operational excellence for its successful implementation of a mobile communications system and field service software. These innovative changes have reduced costs and increased efficiency.

The PM100 recognizes 100 projects from companies around the world which are using advanced technologies to improve their business. Each winner must have achieved distinction in at least one of eight core disciplines - business model, customer relationship management, supply network, data and integration, innovation, training and education, leadership and operational excellence.

Toshiba's winning project came about in an effort to improve the response times of Toshiba's customer engineers (CEs). Toshiba streamlined its service response process by giving each CE a BlackBerry® device with software specifically designed to give them access to detailed customer information without having to connect their laptops to a network or contact the call center. The software also allows CEs to check inventory of needed parts and report completed work.

"In an industry where equipment down time can dramatically impact the care given to healthcare patients, Toshiba constantly strives to implement systems that allow us to respond as quickly as possible to any customer need," said Glenn Servis, senior director, Information Technology, Toshiba. "Receiving the PM100 award is evidence of Toshiba's dedication to putting our customers and their patients first."

An independent judging panel chaired by David R. Brousell, Editor-in-Chief, Managing Automation Media, and Jeff Moad, Executive Editor, Managing Automation, reviewed project nominations.

The PM100 Winners were honored and presented with their awards at the Progressive Manufacturing Awards Gala held during the Progressive Manufacturing Summit 2009: Redefining the Business of Manufacturing in Turbulent Economic Times, earlier this month.

"In the face of one of the worst economic downturns in history, these winning companies dramatically underscore how the manufacturing industry will not only get through this period but emerge in an even stronger position once a recovery takes hold," said David R. Brousell, Editor-in-Chief of Managing Automation Media. "The projects that enabled these companies to become PM100 winners reflect great creativity and inventiveness, a determined willingness to take risk, and an enduring resilience to continually improve every aspect of their business. These companies are leading the way to a better future for all industry."

About Managing Automation Media

Managing Automation Media, a division of Thomas Publishing Company, LLC, provides a complete set of decision-support informational tools for executives and technology decision-makers at progressive manufacturers - companies that are using information and automation technologies to transform their businesses and create a sustainable competitive advantage. In North America with Managing Automation, and now also in EMEA with Manufacturing Executive, they deliver access to the most influential decision-makers in manufacturing. Additional information can be found at managingautomationmedia.com.

About Toshiba
With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems markets, sells, distributes and services diagnostic imaging systems, and coordinates clinical diagnostic imaging research for all modalities in the United States. Toshiba Medical Systems Corp., an independent group company of Toshiba Corp., is a global leading provider of diagnostic medical imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions, such as CT, Cath & EP Labs, X-ray, Ultrasound, MRI and information systems. Toshiba Corp. is a leader in information and communications systems, electronic components, consumer products, and power systems. Toshiba has approximately 198,000 employees worldwide and annual sales of $77 billion. For more information, visit www.medical.toshiba.com.