TriZetto hosts and maintains Talbert's physician-management system, Internet portal and SAP AG applications. TriZetto supports Talbert's network and about 150 desktops. Some ASPs are touting their vertical market expertise, targeting industries such as health care or retail.
Observers say it depends on the industry and on users' requirements.
Al Herak, vice president of practice management at Talbert, said a vendor that specializes in health care would understand how health care claims are processed and be familiar with the various layers of the health care system, which includes third parties, payers and providers. On the other hand, if a health care provider needs someone to host an enterprise resource planning application or something similar that isn't industry-specific, then it may consider a broader range of ASPs, he said. But such vertical-market expertise, which is essential in health care, may not be as necessary in other industries, such as retail, according to analysts. The Biometric Age Corporate IT Will Feel More Heat in Terror Battle . . . Click here to learn more.