It was a unique opportunity to define the rules within which private companies can promote the diffusion of clinical engineering services at the national level and to redefine the role of CE services in the field of information technology. To ensure cost-effectiveness, safe and appropriate technology management of all the equipment involved in hospital administration, during 1995 the CNR-IFC enlisted ITAL TBS to established CE services. Working out of 8 laboratories, it covers 11 hospitals located in Northern Tuscany for a total amount of nearly 2000 beds and 8000 devices with a capital value of about $60 million.