Pulse Systems to remain in Wichita after being bought by Paris-based Cegedim

Cegedim, a global technology and services company based in Paris and specializing in the health care field, announced today that it has acquired Pulse Systems, a Wichita-based health care software and services supplier.

Pulse Systems will continue to operate independently, with no change in management, and plans to create more than 350 jobs by the end of 2012, a spokesman said. Its headquarters will remain in Wichita.

"We think this is a phenomenal opportunity for Wichita," said Bruce Rowley, Pulse System's senior vice president for sales and marketing.

"This is an industry that is already expanding rapidly and is really poised to just explode over the next five years. And we have this global company that has said, 'OK, we're picking Pulse as our conduit into the U.S. market."

Cegedim was willing to leave Pulse's name, branding and management in place, so "We get to basically build a national, world-class business in a super-energized, high-growth industry, right here in Wichita," Rowley said.

Cegedim Healthcare Software, a division of Cegedim, already is one of the leading publishers of medical, paramedical and pharmacy management software in Europe. The acquisition gives it access to the U.S. market as the use of electronic health records become more widespread. Physicians and hospitals are eligible for incentives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to implement electronic health records.

"Pulse provides Cegedim an optimal entry and platform into the rapidly growing U.S. health care computerization market," Cegedim Healthcare Software chairman Alain Missoffe said in a statement. "We expect to capitalize on their superior health care software, vast market knowledge, excellent customer service and technological prowess."

Pulse Systems also has offices in Dallas, Kansas City, Mo., and Boston and has more than 100 employees.

Cegedim said the total amount of the acquisition will not exceed $58 million. The deal was finalized on Tuesday.

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