Global Care Solutions (GCS), specializes in creating software modules for hospitals' clinical and administrative operations, allowing them to run more smoothly. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The Bangkok-based company, whose core product was first marketed in 2000, has implemented its systems in seven client hospitals in the Asia-Pacific region.

They are based on already existing Microsoft software products.

'We are really amazed at the quality of care that can be delivered with Global Care Solutions' health information system,' said Peter Neupert, corporate vice president for the Health Solutions Group at Microsoft, into which GCS employees will be incorporated.

Mr Neupert said that the deal, under which Microsoft will acquire software, intellectual property and other assets of GCS, would allow the tech nology to be marketed worldwide.

In Thailand, GCS has worked closely in developing its products with Bumrungrad International Hospital, which says that the company's system has helped it bring the average waiting time to see a doctor down to 17mins.

The development of Global Care technology will remain in Bangkok, and Microsoft said that it would continue to work closely with Bumrungrad hospital.

Microsoft signaled its interest in the health care sector last year when it bought Azyxxi, a software system to collect and display real-time patient data.

This year, in addition to the GCS acquisition, Microsoft has also bought a startup company that develops Web search technology for medical information and launched a Web site to store medical information online. -- AP