Mehiläinen, a provider of private medical services, is one of the first private health care companies in Finland that has networked with the public health care system. Referrals and case records travel electronically between Mehiläinen and Finland's largest public hospitals. Electronic connections are also being set up with regional hospitals.

Mehiläinen uses the Doctorex medical centre software, which has been designed for the specific needs of private health care.

- The software was developed by our former subsidiary, which we sold to TietoEnator a couple of years ago, Chief Information Officer Kari Antila remarks. According to Antila, a nationwide version of the software was developed one year ago, which turned out to require quite an effort.

- Mehiläinen has expanded rapidly over the past few years through acquisitions as well, and when we started out, we had 13 separate server centres around the country.

A supplier that is familiar with requirements is highly valued. Businessforum's cooperation with Mehiläinen dates back to 1999.

- We have purchased primarily work stations and supplies through Businessforum. They have quick and flexible deliveries. Due to our cooperation over the years, they are familiar with our equipment environment and are well aware of our demands. There are around 1,500 work stations at Mehiläinen. Slightly less than one in five are replaced each year.

- We work in the Citrix environment, so the life cycle of an individual work station is relatively long, Antila explains.

Antila's job description includes preparing the strategies relating to data administration, as well as heading the IT unit of fifteen people. One of his most recent internal challenges has been the company's helpdesk, which is currently in an implementation phase.