ANS: Philips HealthSuite Digital Platform (HSDP) is an open cloud-based data infrastructure platform that allows additional applications to be layered on top. Philips executives believed that a unified hardware and software offering from Philips would drive incremental sales.
Healthcare providers were straining to keep pace with increasing demand and constrained resources. Reaching the critical mass of users is an important part of gaining success. Philips philosophy of openness differed significantly from its competitors that mainly operated closed systems, which prevented data sharing between apps and limited the functionality. Knowledge of clinical landscape, credibility with doctors, a portfolio of devices and proven track record in obtaining FDA approval could give an advantage to any firm. GE was a competitor to Philips, but GE's lack of a strong portfolio of consumer-facing products was GE's disadvantage. Digital platforms were the next thing in healthcare, so speed to market was essential for thriving in the industry. .
3. As an infrastructural resource, does HSDP provide Philips a balance between efficiency and flexibility? What is the role of the strategic partnerships that Philips has formed, in terms of building on the HSDP infrastructure?.
ANS: HSDP does provide a balance between efficiency and flexibility to Philips. In the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) example stated, it can be seen that HSDP helped clinicians identify and prioritize care for patients. The sensors tracked the patient's physical activity, heart rate, heart rhythm, sleeping patterns and respiration. All this data was fed into two apps. The app on the tablet took feedback from the patient and shared it with the doctors through the second app along with the sensor data. Hence the doctors could get real-time data and respond to any emergencies predicted. Radboudumc academic hospital created its own app to offer its patients a single location to access all of their medical data.