PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release.
 
SPIRIT Open Source Health Care Initiative Receives European Commission Support 
 
PARIS, FRANCE, JANUARY 5, 2001--Minoru Development SARL, CONECTA srl,
and Sistema announced today that they have signed a contract with the
European Commission's Fifth Framework Programme to implement an open
source approach to accelerate the uptake and improvement of software
for regional health care networks.

The 450,000 euro 15-month SPIRIT project will create an index of open
source health care resources and a web portal to help health care
organizations in Europe and around the world to find relevant open
source partners, projects, and software.

Brian Bray, president of Minoru and project coordinator says, "We are
pleased to see that the exciting possibilities of open source software
are being recognised and fostered by programmes such as the EC Fifth
Framework. This is a wonderful opportunity to accelerate health care
informatics research, and at the same time, create new business
opportunities in health care deployment."

Joseph Dal Molin, a principal of Minoru added, "This project will
create the foundation necessary to accelerate the realization of the
strategic benefits of open source in health care. The open source
business model will foster an 'evidence-based' software industry in
health care, one which strongly resonates with the traditional values
and processes of health care innovation."

SPIRIT will harness the power of the open source model and the Internet
to provide a platform for the global promotion, dissemination, and
uptake of best practices and interoperable solutions in health care
informatics.

"We look forward to making the internet an exciting and engaging
focal point for health care informatics and open source supporters",
commented Carlo Daffara, head of research and development and
co-founder of CONECTA srl. 

Bud Brueggar, president of Sistema notes that, "SPIRIT showcases
European open source technologies. It will also create awareness and
opportunites for the use of human and animal open source products in
developing countries."
 
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For project information contact: 
Minoru Development SARL (Project Coordinator)
6, rue du Colonel Moll
75017 Paris FRANCE
Tel: +33 (6) 8750 2465
Fax: +33 (1) 3061 1843
Web: http://www.openhealth.com
Email: info@openhealth.com


CONECTA srl
viale Tricesimo 101/13
33100 Udine ITALY
Tel: +39 0432 548825
Tax +39 0432 299141
Web: http://www.conecta.it
Email: info@conecta.it


Sistema
Via U. Bassi, 54
58100 Grosseto ITALY
Tel: +39 0564 411682
Fax: +39 0564 426104
Web: http://www.sistema.it
Email: info@sistema.it