Nov 04

CA Suite Solution:
Ampronix Mixes Sales & Service Experience with
Unmatched Value on a Wide Array of Products & Services

For more information about Ampronix, Inc. call 800-400-7972, or visit www.ampronix.com.

There’s more to building a successful third party medical equipment business than simply offering products at a reasonable price. Irvine, CA-based Ampronix Inc. knows firsthand that building a business that supports the evolving needs of the healthcare community has to be based on service. The value of reliable support, and accurate solutions provided at a consistent value is key to fostering relationships that last far beyond that initial transaction.

Getting there takes experience, and after 23 years, Ampronix has it. The company, who’s foundation was established as a high-end service organization, learned through hands-on experience which products were of high quality and value, and which were a bad investment. The knowledge and experience that came from repairing so many products from different original equipment manufacturers ultimately led Ampronix customers to push for the addition of a sales department. When the company became involved in equipment sales, it became clear that its high service volume and longstanding relationships with original equipment manufacturers would allow for substantial price discounts on the sales side.

Because Ampronix was already established, they were able to supply the medical community with high value products, rather than having customers go through two to three layers of sales channels to get the product they need, gaining the associated savings with eliminating so many middlemen. Ampronix, through their service expertise, has become very selective in the brands it represents—if it isn’t a good value, Ampronix won’t sell it.

Beyond that, customers also find that partnering with a company that has a longstanding presence in the industry translates into greater warranty satisfaction. After all, a warranty from a start-up company won’t mean a thing if that company
closes its doors a year or two later. Ampronix customers will also find warranties that often exceed those offered by the OEM—a benefit attributed to experience.

As a factory authorized service center, Ampronix is able to take displays, recorders and printers and remanufacture them at significant savings to the customer. Additionally remanufactured equipment comes with a one-year warranty, which in some cases, is more than what was originally offered by the OEM. Ampronix can offer these warranties because the company knows what works and what fails, and they go in and repair manufacturer weaknesses during the remanufacturing process. The result is a product that not only meets manufacturer specifications, but also sometimes even exceeds them.

Speedy recovery
Ampronix prides itself on offering a broad range of value-added customer service solutions, including the ability to bring modalities back online quickly—a key advantage given that healthcare organizations make large investments in the equipment, both in terms of dollars and patient care, and are relying heavily on that equipment’s ongoing operation.

To meet those needs, Ampronix stocks many hard-to-find displays and plug-and-play replacements that can be shipped to the customer for next morning delivery. When the customer receives the replacement, they then place their broken component in the box and send it back to Ampronix for repair. This “HOT-SWAP” can be a permanent exchange or a loaner while the customers unit is being remanufactured. The goal is to provide customers with an immediate solution.

Ampronix can service the product, replace it with a plug-and-play upgrade, or the customer can get a remanufactured product from stock on exchange for the down equipment. Ampronix maintains programs like this as they are committed to finding the right solution for each customer. They have learned that to the medical community need quick and accurate solutions.

Ampronix can quickly identify the right monitors, displays and printers that will work with each different manufacturer and modality. And because Ampronix is a full-service company, its customers can be confident that they will receive support long after the initial purchase.

Ampronix is also committed to helping customers calculate the true cost of ownership and make purchasing decisions that will continue to meet their needs well into the future. Ampronix knows that people are very cost-sensitive and are looking for a good value. It is their privilege to provide the information needed to make an informed decision based on short and long term needs. Because there is a great deal more that should go into the purchasing decision than just the cost of the product, considerations have to be made to include a transitions into emerging technology, warranties, repair, down time, component life, calibration and print media—just a few factors that can significantly impact the bottom line. And of course as many of these components are involved in life critical decisions, quality is key.

A ‘Suite’ Solution
Healthcare facilities are looking to update their imaging technology, yet are concerned about bottoming out their budgets, do have cost-effective options. Unlike many companies that are brand-specific and have a vested interest in pushing an entire product line, Ampronix offers multi-brand solutions that enable customers to receive a more customized set of products that best meet their own unique needs and budgetary requirements.

A customer may not need just one brand of products in their configuration as an OEM might suggest. They may actually receive more value for the investment by creating a balance between high end and acceptable. Since Ampronix is a master distributor for many manufacturers, they discuss with the customer the products that will work best for a given need.

Perhaps the greatest savings stem from Ampronix’s ability to bridge customers’ existing technology with digital technology—a skill that enables facilities to update their suites and move to a digital PACS solution, while still retaining much of their legacy equipment. Ampronix offers flat-screen LCD displays that can work with analog input, and can be retained and used after a digital conversion is made in the future.

There is a financial incentive for companies to sell all new, but Ampronix believes that it’s just not necessary. Many facilities have good equipment that is already paid for, so Ampronix helps their clients to use bridging technology to tie analog and digital technology together. Ampronix recognizes that with the cost of healthcare, it’s important to be sensible and not try to further drive up costs. Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware that they have these options.

An Eye on Innovation
While Ampronix is committed to helping customers make the most of their current technology, that doesn’t mean the company doesn’t have a finger on the pulse of the very latest technology. In fact, Ampronix has been staying abreast of industry advancements since its inception—a focus that has helped position the company as a leader in the medical imaging sales and service arena.

Stereoscopic displays are one technological facet that has piqued Ampronix’s interest. As the industry continues to buzz about 3D imaging — which is, incidentally, not actually 3D because it is still viewed on a flat 2D display—Ampronix has embraced an even more forward-thinking approach. The company’s newest product is a desktop “Stereoscopic” 3D LCD display that produces high-resolution, crisp, clean images without the use of glasses of any kind.

A significant advancement for visualization of complex structures, with the ability to work simultaneously in both the True Stereoscopic 3D environment and in the real world. You just sit in front of the display and watch as images step off the screen and hang in space. And as the technology works with your eyes the fatigue factor is all but eliminated.

Ampronix considers the new Stereoscopic display a natural progression of its product line, representing another high-end solution Ampronix has identified to help meet the technologically evolving needs of the medical professional. Ampronix is meeting its “Goal of Service,” through value, information and technology, offering a suite of solutions that is truly a sweet solution.