CompuGroup Medical Polska: 30 Years in Lublin

Three decades of CGM is a remarkable success story. What did the journey from the company’s beginnings to its current position as a leader in healthcare digitalisation look like? What were the key milestones along the way?

It has been a journey full of passion, courage, and an unwavering belief in technology as the foundation of better medicine. We started as a small team in Lublin – at a time when computers in medical facilities were still a rarity. Our beginnings date back to 1995 and had a truly start-up spirit. The company was founded through a combination of innovative scientific thought from the Medical Academy in Lublin and the vision of John Foote Briggs, owner of the American company Care LLC. Together with Dr Marek Wesołowski – a physician and healthcare technology expert – we built a team of digital enthusiasts who began their work in the basement of University Clinical Hospital No. 4 in Lublin. This is how UHC – University Healthcare – was born.

We were among the very first in Poland (and possibly worldwide) to see the potential of the World Wide Web for enterprise-class applications. As early as 1997, we created what was probably the first system for distributing diagnostic images via the web (CGM NETRAAD). Shortly afterwards, in 1998, we developed what was likely the world’s first HIS system built entirely on web technology (CGM CLININET). At that time, web browsers were mainly used for reading news and simple information pages – no one was yet thinking of hospital systems. Our competitors took a long time to catch up with our solution.

Since 2006, we have been part of the global CompuGroup Medical holding – one of the leaders in the eHealth market, supporting 500,000 clients in 60 countries. Despite this global scale, Lublin remains our centre of innovation – the place where, for many years, we have been developing solutions tailored to the real needs of medical staff. Today, after 30 years of activity, we can confidently say that we have built something lasting – both technologically and organisationally.

From your perspective, what has changed the most in the way digital solutions in healthcare are perceived, from the 1990s to today?

In the past, IT systems were treated as an “add-on” -a tool for billing or simple patient registration. Today they are at the very heart of modern healthcare facilities. Staff now expect systems not only to avoid adding extra work, but to actively assist -to reduce documentation time, suggest diagnoses, and help prevent errors. Digitalisation is no longer optional -it has become essential.

What is the significance of the Lublin office within the CGM global structure? Are there functions unique to Lublin? Why is this city the right place to invest in medical technology?

We are a fully independent operational unit. In Lublin, all key departments are represented: sales, marketing, software development, implementation, service, customer support, finance, and IT. This allows us to function as an integrated team, enabling a comprehensive approach -from creating systems, through development and implementation, to ongoing support for medical facilities.

Our main product is the CGM CLININET system -a comprehensive HIS solution for Polish hospitals -along with the radiology system CGM NETRAAD and an ERP-class system for managing healthcare resources. We are also actively involved in international projects. In Lublin, a team of more than 90 specialists develops modern HIS modules for global markets. Solutions created here have already been implemented in hospitals in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Lublin is an excellent place to build healthcare technologies -we have access to skilled specialists, academic resources, and a scale that allows us to operate efficiently. Importantly, we are not just an execution centre -ideas, decisions, and strategic directions are shaped here. This is where we create technologies that truly matter -both locally and globally.

CompuGroup Medical Polska was one of the first companies in Europe to invest in AI for healthcare. What triggered this direction? What practical applications of AI do you plan to develop in the coming years?

The main driver was the needs of doctors and the growing burden of documentation. Research shows that up to one third of a doctor’s working time is spent on administrative tasks -including medical records. During a 20-minute GP consultation, as many as 16 minutes can be taken up by organisation and paperwork, leaving only 4 minutes for direct patient care.

In response, we began developing solutions that use artificial intelligence to genuinely support everyday medical work. This led to the creation of the Medical Documentation Assistant -a system based on speech recognition technology that helps doctors with record-keeping. It automatically converts spoken notes into properly structured medical documentation. This significantly reduces the time required to create records, relieves doctors of bureaucracy, and allows them to focus on patients.

In the coming years, we will continue to develop AI wherever it can effectively improve the daily work of medical staff and enhance patient care. We are exploring different directions -from further documentation support to tools that assist in clinical decision-making. What matters most to us is that every solution has a practical use and delivers tangible benefits to its users.

You employ highly skilled specialists in Lublin. How do you manage to compete for talent with the biggest players on the market?

We have a clear mission, good working conditions, opportunities for development, and stability -all within an international context, but with a local spirit. Lublin is becoming a place where one can work on global solutions without needing to move to a major metropolis or go abroad.

We now employ more than 300 people, yet despite this scale we have managed to maintain a relaxed, non-corporate atmosphere valued by our staff. The long service of many employees is the best proof that it is worth building long-term relationships. Nearly one third of our team has been with CGM Polska for over 10 years, and almost two thirds for more than five years. This is the result of stable conditions, opportunities for growth, and a workplace culture built on mutual respect.

Our employment offer is attractive -we provide private medical care, sports packages, hybrid work, flexible hours, and, from the very beginning, we have organised trips and team-building events that strengthen relationships outside the office. But what matters most is our daily collaboration, based on respect, engagement, and freedom of action.

CGM Polska already works with more than one hundred hospitals across Poland. What challenges come with developing medical systems for such a large and diverse group of facilities?

The CGM CLININET hospital system is a single, unified solution whose greatest strength is its flexibility and adaptability to the specific needs of different institutions -from large teaching hospitals to smaller facilities. Our clients include the largest and most digitally advanced hospitals in Poland. While medical procedures are regulated by law, each facility’s organisation, staff expectations, and internal processes can vary significantly.

Our software is scalable -both in terms of functionality and organisation. This allows us to implement it effectively in facilities of different sizes, profiles, and levels of digital maturity. Moreover, we actively listen to our users. We run a special initiative called CGM CONNECT -“Your voice, your influence” -which allows users to suggest improvements and co-shape the system’s development. Thanks to this, CGM CLININET not only meets formal requirements but, above all, responds to the real needs of medical staff.

What direction is hospital digitalisation taking in Poland and Europe, and how does CGM Polska plan to respond to these trends?

The digitalisation of hospitals is increasingly moving towards system integration, full interoperability, process automation, and stronger data security. At the same time, decision-support tools are gaining importance -improving treatment quality, documentation, and communication within facilities.

Our mission at CGM Polska is to genuinely improve healthcare processes -by creating solutions that support patient care and increase hospital efficiency. We believe the future belongs to systems that are not only compliant with regulations, but also intuitive, open to integration, and ready for further development -including the use of artificial intelligence. Our goal is to remain the most trusted and innovative HIS provider in Poland and to actively shape the future of digital healthcare.

Finally: one sentence you would like current and future partners, investors, and employees to remember about CGM Polska?

CompuGroup Medical Polska is technology with a mission. We help people heal. Every day.