MINNEAPOLIS, March 31, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vital Images, Inc. (Nasdaq:VTAL), a leading provider of advanced visualization and analysis software, has become the first and only advanced medical visualization provider to achieve certification for Excellence in Service Operations by the Service & Support Professionals Association (SSPA). To attain this prestigious certification the company was benchmarked against industry best practices in a number of areas including support operations, customer satisfaction, service sales and marketing, product serviceability, technology infrastructure and human resource systems.
The SSPA, together with J.D. Power and Associates, conducted a rigorous in-depth audit of all aspects of Vital Images' customer support organization and operations, evaluating the company against more than 290 best practice criteria. SSPA noted strengths in the company's practices including executive support for service excellence, appropriate metrics, support call responsiveness and follow up, among many others.
"An unwavering commitment to service excellence and customer satisfaction is at the very core of our obligation to our customers and our values as an organization," said Jim Litterer, vice president of global services for Vital Images. "SSPA certification represents independent validation that we are executing on our values at the highest levels. In gaining this seal of approval, we are proud to join HP, Cisco, Xerox and other elite companies who share this recognized accomplishment."
"Vital Images is the first medical software organization to achieve this certification," said Joanne Weigel, Director, Operational Certification Programs for SSPA. "The certification demonstrates that Vital Images has service excellence as a top priority and their commitment was evident in the onsite audits of their organization."
About SSPA
As the support industry's premier management community, the Service & Support Professionals Association (SSPA) is a key resource for the information and best practices needed to make better business decisions. It brings together the best minds from across the industry spectrum -- from established companies with successful track records to pioneering newcomers with out-of-the-box ideas. The SSPA also partners with thought leaders, such as J.D. Power and Associates to create programs that benefit the industry. SSPA is a member of a global network of associations that includes the Technology Professional Services Association (TPSA) and the Association for Services Management International (AFSMI). For more information, visit www.thesspa.com.
About Vital Images, Inc.
Vital Images, Inc., established in 1988 and headquartered in Minneapolis, is a leading provider of advanced visualization software solutions. The company's technology gives radiologists, cardiologists, oncologists and other medical specialists, time-saving productivity and communications tools that can be accessed throughout the enterprise and via the Web for easy use in the day-to-day practice of medicine. Vital Images also has offices in Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.vitalimages.com.
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Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are intended to enjoy the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by that Act. These statements involve risks and uncertainties which could cause results to differ materially from those projected, including but not limited to dependence on market growth, challenges associated with international expansion, the ability to predict product, customer and geographic sales mix, regulatory approvals, the timely introduction, availability and acceptance of new products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, dependence on major customers, the ability to successfully manage operating costs, fluctuations in quarterly results, approval of products for reimbursement and the level of reimbursement, general economic conditions and other factors detailed from time to time in Vital Images' SEC reports, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. Vital Images encourages you to consider all of these risks, uncertainties and other factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this release. As a result of these matters, changes in facts, assumptions not being realized or other circumstances, the company's actual results may differ materially from the expected results discussed in the forward-looking statements contained in this release. The forward-looking statements made in this release are made only as of the date of this release, and the company undertakes no obligation to update them to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.