Do you develop medical software that could be more flexible and helpful if it wasn’t trapped on a desktop computer down the hall? Port your software for a new Intel®-based device called the Mobile Clinical Assistant (MCA). It’s a lightweight, handheld computer that allows health care professionals and patients to benefit from your software at the point of care. Be one of the first ISVs to create software for the MCA by joining the Intel® Software Partner Program’s MCA Initiative. Get planning, development, and marketing assistance that will help move you to the front of the pack.

In busy hospitals and clinics, people and equipment are constantly in motion. Often, though, data is acquired on clipboards, locked in paper charts and legacy applications, and accessible only from departmental workstations. Healthcare professionals need technology that’s as mobile, responsive, and as hard-working as they are.

Since 2004, Intel has worked with healthcare leaders and clinicians around the world to explore how innovative, mobile solutions can deliver information and assistance at the point of care. One result—designed in collaboration with clinicians—is the mobile clinical assistant (MCA) reference architecture. When running the appropriate software, the MCA enables clinicians to access patient care records at the bedside and document a patient's condition in real time. This aids in reducing transcription errors, enhancing workflow, and delivering faster, safer care.

The lightweight, spill-resistant, drop-tolerant, and easily-disinfected MCA enhances clinical workflow while reducing the staff's administrative workload. Some key features include: wireless connectivity to access up-to-date secure patient information and physician's orders; radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for easy, rapid user logon; a digital camera to enhance patient charting and progress notes, to keep track of wounds as they heal; and Bluetooth technology to help capture patient vital signs.

Intel is working with ISVs to develop software for this new device, and now the Intel® Software Partner Program has created its first healthcare initiative to help you get started. As with other Intel Software Partner Program initiatives, the MCA Initiative offers abundant Intel assistance at every phase of your development cycle:

• Plan and Strategize. At the planning stage, your team will have access to podcasts, demos, and white papers to explore the opportunities in the mobile healthcare sector. Find out how you can make your mark in this quickly growing market segment.
• Develop and Solve. By joining the MCA Initiative, you get up to a 15 percent rebate on a Mobile Clinical Assistant for use in developing, optimizing, and tuning your application. You also have access to the MCA Software Development Kit (SDK), to integrate MCA device support – such as bar code reader, RFID reader and cameras – into your applications to streamline workflows for clinicians and enable them to gain maximum benefit from the hardware features. And, you have an entire planet of assistance at your fingertips by participating in the MCA Forum on the Intel® Software Network where you can connect and share ideas with fellow developers.
• Market and Sell. When your application is ready for market, the MCA Initiative continues to produce helping hands. First, you’ll be able to list your solution in the Intel® Developer Solutions Catalog, a "who’s who" of companies developing leading-edge software for Intel® platforms. Once you’re listed in the Intel Developer Solutions Catalog, you’re eligible to apply for participation in the Channel Marketplace*, Intel’s online storefront for resellers. Here, resellers can learn about your software and join forces with you to offer complete hardware-software solutions to their customers. Both of these resources are translated into multiple languages and give your company increased visibility in markets throughout the world. You can also participate in a sales campaign, which gives you access to top-flight creative work from Intel marketing agencies. Or create your own collateral using an innovative Collateral Builder. And take advantage of marketing demo systems to increase the visibility of your application at special events.

Get an early start and plenty of assistance in getting into the mobile healthcare market. Join the new MCA Initiative and port your applications to the newest Intel-based handheld device. Here’s what you need to do:

• If you’re not already a member, join the Intel Software Partner Program at www.intel.com/partner.
• If you’re a current program member, join the MCA Initiative.
• Start developing software for the new MCA reference architecture.

*Limited availability in some geographic regions.