MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merge Healthcare (NASDAQ: MRGE), a leading medical imaging solutions provider, has announced the launch of the eFilm™ Software Exchange. This online community empowers organizations to develop, distribute and sell applications related to eFilm Workstation™; the world's most widely deployed diagnostic imaging software. Merge Healthcare's eStore will host the Exchange on its new Web site, www.eFilmApps.com. The site will showcase new applications created by Merge Healthcare and third-party developers in the areas of advanced visualization, improved workflow and integration with the industry's most widely accepted tools.

The eFilm Software Exchange is a new model for the medical imaging industry, because it truly enables a free flow of ideas, information and products among eFilm users, developers and Merge Healthcare. The Exchange gives a vibrant developer community a way to unleash their creativity and expertise in developing new applications and in showcasing existing eFilm-oriented applications. Participants in the eFilm Software Exchange have options to share a solution as freeware, or position the solutions as commercial applications and benefit financially from their efforts.

The key component of this program for developers is our powerful HIS/RIS software development kit, which integrates eFilm into an organization's existing clinical workflow and allows for new features within eFilm. To ensure the continued presence of high-quality applications through its eCommerce web site, Merge will also work with software developers, certifying each application and integration prior to distribution and sale. This ensures that strict FDA, CE and other applicable industry guidelines are met. Developers who are interested in learning more about this program should visit www.eFilmApps.com for more information.

Justin Dearborn, CEO of Merge Healthcare, states, "We are pleased to offer this development and sales channel to our many partners who have worked on novel and valuable integrations and plug-ins for eFilm Workstation. This model has proven successful in terms of enhancing the functionality of core applications for other organizations outside of the medical imaging industry, and we expect our program to have similar success. eFilm Workstation's global installation base will also allow developers to reach a very large and diverse market."

The eFilm Software Exchange is the latest effort by the company to enhance the value of eFilm Workstation for its users. Earlier this year Merge announced the eFilm Amnesty program; a goodwill effort to authenticate eFilm user licenses and insure the ongoing integrity and value of eFilm. With a longstanding place in medical imaging that started with the first downloadable diagnostic review software, eFilm's ongoing product enhancements and expanded service offerings will continue eFilm's position as one of the most economical and powerful ways clinicians acquire new medical imaging capabilities and tools required for core medical imaging review.

Merge Healthcare's solutions solve mission-critical issues for radiology practices, outpatient imaging centers, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers worldwide. For additional information, visit www.merge.com.

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