ATLANTA – MedAssets, Inc. (NASDAQ: MDAS) today announced that it has renewed a long-term spend management agreement with UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), an $8 billion integrated global health enterprise. MedAssets will continue to provide its spend management solutions, including group purchasing services, supply chain data and analytical tools and custom interfaces to continuously improve UPMC's supply chain processes.

Since 2005, MedAssets has provided UPMC with technology and analytical solutions to identify and implement process improvements to lower supply costs and increase the operational efficiency of its supply chain. Ensuring that data is current and supply pricing is correct has been a main focus for UPMC. UPMC updates its item master continuously using MedAssets' solutions to ensure accurate pricing. Working with MedAssets, UPMC reduced its item master transactions by 55% in one year using a custom Price Discrepancy Database that has greatly increased the stability of the health system's pricing systems and improved payment accuracy. UPMC has also integrated its MedAssets tools with existing systems for added transparency and better workflow and automation.

"UPMC and MedAssets have built a strong working relationship. MedAssets' technology has been a key enabler in support of our ongoing efforts to optimize our supply chain processes to drive maximum efficiency and sustained savings," said Jim Szilagy, chief supply chain officer for UPMC. "Beyond the tools that MedAssets provides, their consultative approach to serving their customers has allowed us to work together as a team to customize solutions and processes so that UPMC realizes the greatest benefit. We have come to see MedAssets as an integral part of our continuous improvement efforts."

"MedAssets is proud to be a key part of UPMC's improvement process as the health system continues to be on the leading edge of supply chain optimization," said Rand Ballard, chief customer officer and chief operating officer, MedAssets. "Our solutions and guidance have helped UPMC to meet its goal of optimum performance in its supply chain, leading to better efficiency and increased savings that the health system has sustained over time. We look forward to helping UPMC continue to innovate its spend management practices."