Just as your pulse is checked during a routine physical, free cash flow is used as an indicator of a company's health. It equals the cash brought in from operations minus the money needed to pay the bills. Think about leftover money in your checking account after you pay this month's bills.

Investors and analysts see this leftover money as a gauge of a company's ability to perform. It is available for transactions such as handing out dividends and working on new products.

Some argue free cash flow is wrongly overshadowed by the emphasis often placed on earnings. Earnings numbers can be manipulated and don't always tell the whole story -- and earnings don't mean much if there's nothing left over after a company pays its expenses. Even if you bring in a six-figure salary, but no money left after paying the bills, are you in great financial shape?

You don't have to be Einstein to figure out free cash flow. To calculate the number, subtract the company's expenditures and dividends from its operating cash flow.

If the free cash flow is written in red ink, it doesn't necessarily signal curtains. This is common for young companies looking to grow. It also could be a result of heavy investments, which in the long run could be worth a standing ovation.

Home / Markets / Industries / Technology

Friday, July 11, 2008

Emageon Selected by HealthNet L.L.C.

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Comtex

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., July 11, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ ----Emageon Inc. (Nasdaq: EMAG), a leading provider of technology solutions for hospitals and healthcare networks announced today that the company's RadSuite product has been chosen by HealthNet L.L.C., a Montana technology joint venture, to include installs at Glendive Medical Center and Sidney Health Center. The agreement covers installation of enterprise PACS, workflow management and advanced visualization at both medical centers. It also includes software services for specialties in addition to radiology.

"This technology will bring major care enhancements to our patients and productivity to our physicians," said Dale Schwan, HealthNet's Information Systems Director. "Advancing our imaging and medical content management from paper and film will place HealthNet and its member facilities at the forefront of health care delivery in Montana."

"I am excited for our team," said Chuck Jett, the company's CEO and President, "and look forward to working with HealthNet. We have a proven team of individuals at Emageon that have remained focused despite industry-wide tough times. We have great customers, employees and products that will enable us to continue to meet the needs of the industry."

About Emageon Inc.

Emageon provides information technology systems for hospitals, healthcare networks and imaging facilities. Its enterprise family of solutions includes RadSuite(TM), HeartSuite(TM) and other specialty suites. All Emageon solutions are built on a unified Enterprise Content Management system offering advanced visualization and infrastructure tools for the clinical analysis and management of digital medical images, reports and associated clinical content. Emageon's standards-based solutions are designed to help customers enhance patient care, automate workflow, lower costs, improve productivity and provide better service to physicians. For more information, please visit www.emageon.com.

SOURCE Emageon Inc.

http://www.emageon.com/

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