Mediware Information Systems ( ) has strengthened its position in the blood management solutions industry with the acquisition of Indianapolis based Strategic Healthcare Group, a leading provider of blood management consulting, education and informatics solutions. The company had announced its decision to acquire Strategic Healthcare on August 6, 2012.

Strategic Healthcare’s portfolio includes the Strategic blood management system and a robust informatics suite catering to learning management, knowledge management and data management. These include the BloodStat Multidimensional Analytics database, the Blood Management University, and Blood Management Exchange products.

Low global penetration and demand outstripping supply provide a positive long-term thesis for investing in the blood processing and supply chain management industry. Viewing the huge potential in the blood management business, several players have chosen the acquisition route to diversify their offerings.

Haemonetics ( HAE - Analyst Report ) last month acquired Pall Corporation’s ( PLL - Analyst Report ) blood collection, filtration and processing product lines for $551 million. The company also announced the acquisition of Hemerus Medical, a Minnesota-based company that develops technologies for the collection of whole blood, and processing and storage of blood components.

This is not the first deal of Mediware in the field of performance management and analytics. The company acquired Insight technology in 2009 and has integrated the Insight performance management technology with its core software products – HCLL Transfusion for hospital blood banks and the LifeTrak software for blood centers.

The InSight software has been licensed by major blood centers including the BloodCenter of Wisconsin and Kansas City Community Blood Center. In addition, several hospitals have also licensed the software, the latest being Plymouth based Jordan Hospital.

Mediware’s acquisition strategy targets businesses which are a strategic fit to expand its product offerings. These areas are leveraging expertise in alternate care settings, building on performance management, focus on software and advanced technologies.

In January 2012, the company acquired St. Louis-based Transtem, a provider of software that manages the collection and transplantation of adult stem cells in cellular-based therapies and medical research. This was followed by the acquisition of Cyto Management System in April that strengthened Mediware’s portfolio with a chemotherapy management solution.

Mediware retains a Zacks #3 Rank (Hold) in the short term.