Yesterday, I learned that Alliance Radiology and Sodexo have agreed to work together to develop an asset management solution for Alliance's 1,000 hospital clients.

I could not help but smile because I met with Dale Hockel, Chief Operations Officer with Alliance Radiology, at RSNA and he did not let anything slip.

All this does not come as a surprise to me because this was always a priority to Dale when he was at TriMedx. It is also a very amazing and unexpected partnership.

This partnership sends all sorts of messages.

It reinforces the importance of asset management. It reinforces the idea that when the asset manager also employs engineering staff, they are able to do a better job. It suggests that you do not have to be the original equipment manufacturer to provide service on the equipment and most of all, in my mind, proves that health care costs can be lowered by benefiting from economies of scale.

I am sure I will not be the only person watching this partnership evolve.

Our Senior Reporter, Lauren Dubinsky, wrote about this in detail and you can read her story by clicking here.