Quality, Options Abound at Ampronix
by Julie E. Williamson

It’s been said that the strongest principle of success lies in human choice. In matters of business, particularly those pertaining to healthcare, that certainly seems to be the case.

For Ampronix Inc., Irvine, CA, the element of choice – coupled with exceptional value, expertise and the highest level of quality products and services – has always been at the heart of its business structure. In fact, this leading medical imaging equipment and service provider has built its success around helping customers make the most of their current technologies, while also making it possible for many to attain the latest, most innovative solutions on the market.

Ampronix customers find that choice comes in many forms, beginning with the wide array of manufacturers represented. “This company has always been a strong multi-vendor representative, which means we don’t push one solution or manufacturer onto a customer,” noted Chris Bowman, director of communications for Ampronix. He explained that in many cases a mix of solutions is the best approach for serving customers’ unique needs and budgetary requirements.

Customers can also rely on Ampronix to help choose the best equipment models – whether it’s repairing or maintaining the legacy equipment they currently have in place, upgrading to a factory refurbished model, or moving up to a newer, more robust digital model. Whichever option is chosen, the customer will find even more choices in terms of brand and equipment capabilities, assured Bowman, adding that customers can choose from LCDs and CRTs, surgical displays and modality replacements (both grayscale and color), printers, and recorders.

“Customers still have the option to have us (Ampronix) repair their existing video recorders or they can upgrade to a DVD recorder, for example. We can bridge this technology to their legacy equipment and we can also help them make the choice of which legacy equipment they want to put on their DICOM network and which them want to leave off and use as standalone equipment.”

Because Ampronix focuses on the best solutions as opposed to the most expensive ones, customers quickly discover that choice also extends to pricing. While the company can indeed offer top-of-the-line products – the Rolls Royce of imaging equipment – it is also able to solve many of the same imaging requirements at a much smaller price point, and without sacrificing quality.

“Today’s medical technology is in constant evolution. Budgets and patient care need to be balanced, but they can’t be compromised,” stressed Ampronix president Nausser Fathollahi. He explained that now more than ever, balance is needed between legacy equipment that’s already in place and the new technology that’s emerging enterprise-wide. “Finding the right balance and knowing when to service, replace or upgrade solutions is very important. Those decisions are guided by many factors – from the residual cost of ownership to display quality and compatibility, and even how easy it is for the biomed to install. Helping customers navigate these choices by providing the necessary information that will allow them to make informed decisions is a big part of what we do.”

Further maximizing value, Ampronix works with all of the major organizations and Hospitals and sets up direct contract pricing for both service and new product acquisition so a healthcare organization doesn’t have to constantly shop around for the best price (a significant plus for multiple site hospitals). “Because of the size of our facility and warehouse we have probably the most robust offering of products in the business. We also have one of the best overnight shipping capabilities,” said Bowman, adding that all those capabilities further boost customers’ options. “If they want to go through a buying group, they can. If they prefer to buy directly from us, they can do that, too. It’s all about giving them different options, as opposed to a one-size-fits-all approach.”

Building Better Solutions
Staying abreast of evolving technology and overcoming related obstacles is yet another core Ampronix strength. The company’s research and development team and engineering group is able to directly respond to customer challenges by creating innovative solutions that aren’t otherwise available through the standard sales channel.

Take, for instance, Ampronix’s plug-and-play solution that allows C-arms to be easily upgraded to the digital recording standard, and its development of a unique solution that allows hospitals to replace the large, heavy CRTs on boom arms with lightweight LCDs – without having to worry about counterbalance of weight, varying cord lengths and different mounting planes. Through its experienced R&D and engineering teams, and a partnership with Siemens, Ampronix is able to offer customers an entire LCD package – from the display itself to the mounting arm and a Siemens-provided footing that slides directly into the shoe where the CRT slides off.

“To make it even easier on the biomed, we can provide counterweights so the Siemens LCD solution they install on their boom weighs exactly the same as the CRT they just removed,” said Bowman. “The hospital gains the advantage of digital technology and having the 12-way adjustable arm on the back of the LCD that allows them to get the exact angles needed, but they also get that counterbalance of weight.”

Not surprisingly, the response from biomeds, many of whom had been forced to engineer their own LCD mounting and counterbalance solutions has been overwhelmingly positive.

Of course, customers also appreciate that Ampronix’s quality and service commitment hasn’t wavered since its inception 25 years ago. Although the size of the company has grown and technology has evolved, Fathollahi stressed that the core philosophy of the business remains the same.

“We’ve always been in the business of solving problems, adding value, providing fast and reliable service, and keeping hospitals’ imaging equipment up and running. We pride ourselves on providing the highest quality technology available, while also offering the most choice.  One of our primary goals has always been to introduce the most innovative products and solutions to our customers.   It’s about creating the best balance of solutions for our customers, and that’s something we do very well.”

For more information on Ampronix and the products and services they offer, please call 800-400-7972 or visit www.ampronix.com.