There is a considerable expertise and talent within Europe in the area of computing and technology in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine, but for a long time there was no focal point to permit the interchange of ideas and innovations or to provide advice and assistance for those who wished to develop new applications.

A clear need existed for a democratic society which would facilitate the exchange of these ideas and provide a forum, where members could present their developments and take part in discussions with others involved in similar fields and with similar interests.

The same was true for manufacturers who wished to explore the new developments and innovations and who required the best possible advice and feed back on medical technology.