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Improving Patient Care to Lead Hospital IT Spending in 2008

Survey conducted by Socket Mobile at HIMSS 08 reveals insight about the needs, fears and goals of Hospital IT departments

Newark, Calif. ?nbsp;4/2/2008  

Socket Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCKT), dba Socket Mobile, Inc., an innovative provider of mobile productivity solutions, today announced results from an informal survey it conducted at the recent Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Conference in Orlando, FL. The survey, completed by healthcare professionals serving a variety of functions, revealed several insights about potential IT spending, concerns related to implementation and IT goals for 2008 and beyond.

Echoing the overarching theme of HIMSS 08, improving patient care, particularly Bedside Point of Care (BPOC) is the predominant goal of healthcare professionals in 2008. 62% of respondents said that improving patient care is their primary concern and 1/3 of respondents mentioned BPOC as the primary IT initiative.

While the role of new technologies in addressing these challenges and goals is well documented, several concerns are impeding implementation. Of these concerns, the level of computer-related skills and IT proficiency among staff was one of the most significant; with 42% of the IT professionals surveyed describing the aptitude of their staff as excellent and 21% as average or below. Cost was also cited as a chief concern with almost 25% of respondents listing financial limitations as their primary deterrent. Added together, these results suggest that cost, ease of use, and reliability are the key drivers and components for purchase and successful implementation of data collection technology in a healthcare environment.

The survey also provided insight into the types of devices that healthcare IT professionals are testing and considering buying for their organizations. With 65%, Laptops and Computers on Wheels (COWs) make up the majority of planned IT spending in 2008. Handheld computers, such as the Socket Mobile SoMo™ 650, represent more than 1/5 of respondents at 21%. These devices are viewed as integral components in the IT infrastructure due to their flexibility and portability as well as their ability to serve as an intermediary between disparate machines and systems via the wireless network. Adding handheld computers to an existing IT ecosystem helps optimize earlier investments by maximizing the effectiveness and functionalities of COWs and other devices, the benefits of which can be passed on directly to employees and patients.

“Healthcare facilities are not homogenous environments; they typically have several different technologies from several different vendors operating simultaneously. Handheld computers, such as the Socket Mobile SoMo 650, can be the link that ties everything together and ensures maximum efficiency for the infrastructure,” said Bob Zink, senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing at Socket Mobile. “The results of this informal survey reinforce our belief that there is a significant opportunity to educate the market about the benefits of handheld computers and the role these devices can play in streamlining and improving the healthcare IT ecosystem. The durability, flexibility and affordability of the SoMo 650 enable it to seamlessly complement existing technologies and make an immediate impact on Bedside Point of Care and other IT initiatives.”

The survey was administered using the Socket SoMo 650 handheld computer and a software application from VarIT, a Socket Mobile technology partner, which is designed to capture trade show leads and conduct associated exhibit related surveys.

About Socket Mobile
Socket Mobile makes mobility computing and productivity work. The company is a one-stop supplier of mobile computing hardware systems, offering a handheld mobile computer specifically designed for business mobility use and an extensive portfolio of essential mobile data collection and networking peripherals that enable mobile automation and productivity increases. The company also offers OEM solutions. Socket Mobile is headquartered in Newark, Calif. and can be reached at 510-933-3000 or www.socketmobile.com.

Socket, SoMo, Wi-Fi Companion and Go Wi-Fi! are trademarks or registered trademarks of Socket Communications, Inc., dba Socket Mobile, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names contained herein may be those of their respective owners. © 2008, Socket Communications, Inc., dba Socket Mobile, Inc. All rights reserved.