Pictures of the Future    Fall 2006

Universal Language for Medical Systems

Manfred Wangler, 59, has always been interested in computer science. He played a key role in the development of syngo, a software system from Siemens Medical Solutions (Med) that enables hospital staff to operate equipment, such as computer and magnetic resonance tomographs and ultrasound scanners, via a standardized interface. This "Windows for Medical Systems" can also be used to process patient data and images and to draw up medical reports. A click of a mouse is all it takes to switch between different functions without having to shut down the previously used program. Wangler, who has a PhD in physics, doesn’t see himself as the actual inventor of the system. "A lot of people played a big role in developing syngo," he says. "I was more like a facilitator who helped make everything come together."

Wangler’s career began in 1978 in the Private Branch Exchange Technology Group at Siemens in Munich. In 1983, he transferred to Medical Solutions in Erlangen, where he worked in the Magnetic Resonance Tomography division as a software developer for data acquisition and image calculations. Soon after his arrival, the division came under pressure to lower software development costs by generating synergies. The developers responded by creating a common middleware system—a type of software underbelly—for computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance tomography (MR), thereby halving development costs. They also standardized the user interface for MR and CT devices and developed a graphic user interface with a mouse cursor. Prior to that, users had to enter parameters via keyboards and use a very long menu. After receiving inquiries from customers, Wangler came up with the idea of applying the user interface to other imaging procedures such as ultrasound. He felt that using standard applications for all systems would further reduce development costs. "That was the breakthrough that started us on the path to syngo," he recalls.

Wangler had to overcome several obstacles before getting there, however. For example, at the beginning of the 1990s Windows PCs appeared to have a bright future, and computer prices were expected to fall dramatically. Management, however, insisted on using the Unix operating system. Wangler was able to convince executives in 1995 to go with Windows-based PCs, citing costs and the flexibility of Windows NT, which can be used with many different processors. The development of a PC-based syngo was thus able to continue.

Wangler was never discouraged by setbacks. For example, in 1997 many of his R&D colleagues in India were being lured away by other companies and Wangler’s team fell behind schedule. However, Wangler responded by bringing the Indian developers to Erlangen, arranging extra pay for service abroad, and organizing weekend excursions for them. Six months later everything was back on schedule. Wangler, who has four children, loves transparency, especially when dealing with problems. "The first thing we do is talk openly," he says. "Then we find the guilty party—not to punish him or her, but instead to determine the cause of the problem so as to be able to solve it."

His efforts have certainly paid off: syngo was commercially introduced in 1999, giving all the devices it was installed in a new user-friendly look and feel. This not only made a name for Med as an innovation driver; the utilization of a standardized software platform also saved Med a net total of around #150 million euros in development expenditures. Today, Wangler is the head of a worldwide development group of 650 men and women. When asked what he believes to be his most distinguishing trait, he replies: "My tenacity—it’s pretty much impossible to stop me from pursuing an idea once I’ve started."
                                                                                                                 Tim Schröder