MALVERN, Pa., & CUPERTINO, Calif., Feb 14, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Siemens Medical Solutions, a world leader in medical equipment and information technology (IT) solutions, and Vocera Communications, developer of the breakthrough wireless voice communication system that enables instant voice communication throughout organizations, have announced a partnership enabling Siemens to offer the full range of Vocera technology and solutions to the healthcare market. The partnership demonstrates Siemens' commitment to delivering trendsetting applications and services that enhance clinical workflow and its industry leadership in bringing healthcare into the 21st century.

As an authorized North American Value-Added Reseller of Vocera, Siemens will deliver the Vocera Communications System(R), which is comprised of the Vocera System Software and the Vocera Communications Badge. A wearable device that weighs less than two ounces, the Vocera Communications Badge can easily be clipped to a shirt pocket or worn on a lanyard. It enables instant two-way conversation using natural spoken commands, without the need for remembering phone numbers or manipulating handsets.

When live conversation is not necessary, text messages and alerts can be sent to the LCD screen on the back of the Vocera Communications Badge. The system can also connect to the PBX in order to place and receive calls through the public telephone network.

Siemens next generation Soarian(R) health information solution (HIS) orchestrates all aspects of healthcare workflow - administrative, diagnostic, clinical and financial via an integrated, holistic workflow-enabled toolset. Through this partnership, Siemens will integrate Vocera into Soarian's powerful workflow capabilities to enable not only voice communications, but to enhance workflow by sharing results and orders using the Vocera Communications Badge.

"This partnership offers a unique opportunity for our customers to integrate Vocera technology into their clinical workflow," said Gail E. Latimer, MSN, RN, vice president and chief nursing officer, Siemens Medical Solutions. "Vocera enables Siemens' customers to increase safety and voice communication efficiencies, allowing them to further redesign their clinical workflow, improve the productivity of their resources, increase throughput across the organization and optimize processes to enhance the patient experience - thus, improving quality."

By providing real-time communication between clinicians and other healthcare workers, Vocera technology provides notification when a task needs to be performed. As a result, healthcare providers can expect improved communication and decision-making and measurable reductions in cycle time associated with key healthcare workflow. These capabilities provide both cost savings and simplification of communications throughout the enterprise. Additionally, a significantly reduced need for pagers and phones results in less "noise" on a unit or floor, enhancing patient satisfaction.

"Siemens has the deep healthcare technology and operational expertise needed to understand and deliver an effective Vocera solution," said Paul Scott, vice president, sales, Vocera. "Their innovative delivery approach positions Vocera as a core component of an overall healthcare workflow improvement solution and helps customers move beyond mobile voice communication and derive maximum value from their Siemens and Vocera investments. With its comprehensive set of value-added technical and clinical services, Siemens will be an extremely effective sales and support partner for Vocera and its customers."

Vocera Communications, Inc. provides wireless communications systems enabling instant voice communication among mobile workers to leading institutions and companies requiring enhanced customer service, productivity, and teamwork. The company, with sales offices in the United Kingdom and Australia, serves its global customer base from its headquarters in Cupertino, Calif. For more information, please contact the company at 408-790-4100, or visit the Web site at www.vocera.com.

Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG [SI] with headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers to the healthcare industry in the world. The company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. Employing approximately 31,000 people worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 7.6 billion EUR, orders of 8.6 billion EUR and group profit of 976 million EUR for fiscal 2005. More information can be obtained by visiting www.usa.siemens.com/medical-pressroom.

* The information about the integration of Soarian workflow with Vocera is preliminary. The combined product is not yet commercially available.