Introduction
 
In this brief, Datamonitor examines highlights of IT vendor consolidation during the past 18 months as illustrative of the ways in which vendors need to position themselves to compete in the changing healthcare industry.
 

 
Scope
 
Datamonitor analysis based on ongoing healthcare technology market research.
 
Geographic coverage includes primarily the US.
 
Highlights
 
Consolidation among healthcare IT vendors during the past 12-18 months has not occurred at the bold pace of years past.
 

 
Nevertheless, the reasons driving vendors to merge and acquire illustrate a deeper shift in the industry, a shift toward greater integration across various entities in the healthcare ecosystem.
 

 
For long-term success in healthcare, IT vendors increasingly will need to offer integrated solutions that help healthcare organizations achieve the multiple levels of integration toward which the industry is pushing.
 

 
Reasons to Purchase
 
Analyze recent vendor consolidation in the context of the broader healthcare industry.
 
Understand what will be required of vendors to succeed in the healthcare IT market.
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
ABOUT DATAMONITOR 2
 
INTRODUCTION 4
 
MARKET CONTEXT 5
 
Healthcare software vendors target high-growth markets and fill portfolio gaps 5
 
Cross-industry vendors expand healthcare presence 7
 
THE FUTURE DECODED 9
 
Convergence and integration of IT within healthcare 9
 
Integration of data across the healthcare ecosystem 10
 
Tightening ties with various stakeholders in healthcare 12
 
CONCLUSIONS 15
 
APPENDIX 16
 
Further readings 16
 
SPP writing team 16
 
How to contact experts in your industry 17