Emergency Tracking

New business develops information-management systems for emergency medical service centers.

Tweet

Richard Virnig has spotted opportunity in information-management systems for emergency medical service (EMS) centers like ambulance dispatchers and firehouses. Six months of market research revealed that of the 17,000 EMS centers in the United States, 70% are automated, but fewer than 10% of the automated centers use computers to handle critical tasks like inventory management, vehicle maintenance, scheduling, and trip statistics. Last February Virnig launched Data Tracker, in Springfield, Mo., with $54,000 of personal and angel funds. He predicts that his first product -- a $300 inventory-tracking software package -- will be used by 30% of the EMS market within two years, generating 1993 revenues of $247,000 and 1994 revenues of $1.4 million. Upgrade products include a wedge keyboard device that enables bar-code data entry. In addition to EMS centers, Virnig is targeting municipalities, hospitals, and doctors' clinics.