First Insight to Acquire Toronto-Based Vision Alliance Network
(PRWEB) February 27, 2000
For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Krista Smith
New Venture Communications
503-944-5507
kristas@newventurecom.com
Sonia Rai
First Insight
503-533-4555 x229
srai@first-insight.com
David Pietrobon
VAN Vision Alliance Network, Inc.
905-690-1435
van@optometry.net
First Insight to Acquire Toronto-Based Vision Alliance Network
Web-based service strengthens online optometry community, helps
practitioners reach new audiences
PORTLAND, Ore./TORONTO, Canada, February 24, 2000 First Insight ® Corporation,
the leading provider of technology-based solutions for eye-care practitioners, today
announced that it will acquire the Toronto-based VAN Vision Alliance Network, Inc.,
(VAN) a provider of web-based services for optometric practices and associations.
The acquisition provides First Insight with access to VAN s Optometry.net, a web-based
service that allows eye-care practitioners to easily create and manage their own
professional web sites. VAN partners with the Canadian Association of Optometrists and
numerous Canadian provincial optometric associations, and is endorsed by the New
York State Optometric Association.
Eye-care practitioners are looking for ways to promote their presence to new audiences and to build stronger relationships with existing patients,said Nitin Rai, president and
CEO of First Insight. Our customers have come to rely on our business-to-business
solutions, and now, with the addition of VAN s services, we will be able to help them connect with the consumer market as well. VAN s proven technology and strong existing customer base will help solidify First Insight s leading position in the online eye-care services market.
By joining forces with an organization of First Insight s caliber, we will be able to reach a wider audience and provide our clients with a broader range of technology services,said David Pietrobon, president of VAN. We are confident that together we will provide eye-care practices the most complete solution, enabling them to compete at a higherlevel.
According to the terms of the acquisition, VAN will be renamed First Insight Canada and
Optometry.net will become part of the First Insight network. The acquisition will
encourage the growth and development of online optometric communities through
shared services and communication.
About Vision Alliance Network Inc. (VAN)
VAN s mission is to optimize patient care through information integration among primary eye-care professionals, the eye-care industry and the public. VAN creates value by providing strategically integrated Internet solutions for eye-care professionals and theircommunities.
VAN s Optometry.net offering enables optometric practices to easily create and manage professional web sites. Optometry.net helps eye-care practitioners build stronger relationships with patients by facilitating easier communication and providing valuable eye health information.
VAN is the developer and joint operator of CAO.Optometry.NET, a unique extranet for
members of the Canadian Association of Optometrists, which integrates content and
functionality for eye doctors and vision industry suppliers.
About First Insight
First Insight Corporation is the leading provider of technology-based solutions for the $ 20B eye-care industry. First Insight s comprehensive practice management software
and electronic medical records enable optometrists, ophthalmologists and opticians to be more competitive.
Since its introduction in 1994, First Insight’s Practice Management solution, Maximeyes, has been installed in more than 550 eye care practices throughout the U.S. and Canada. MaximEyes was the first practice management solution for eye care on the Microsoft Windows platform, and was also the first to successfully integrate with Vision Serives Plan’s Internet Doctor Communication System (IDC), enabling verification of patient eligibility, claims submission and prescription orders via the web.
Based in Hillsboro, Ore., First Insight is a pre-public company backed by an investment team that includes Richland Ventures, HLM Partners, Validus (the investment arm of United Healthcare), and Moss Forest Ventures. For more information call 1-800-920-1940 or visit the First Insight web site at http://www.first-insight.com.
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