NextGen began as Quality Systems Inc. (QSI), founded in 1973 developing dental software. QSI acquired several companies over time to expand into medical records and practice management systems, including Clinitec in 1996 and MicroMed Healthcare in 1997. This formed the basis for their "NextGen" solution. NextGen further grew their hospital information systems business by acquiring Sphere in 1984, Opus in 1987, and IntraNexus in 1992. Next week's episode will provide more details on these acquisitions and how they made NextGen a major player in both physician practice and hospital information systems markets.