Cloud PACS Migration:
What to Know Before You Move
Moving from an existing PACS to a Cloud PACS involves more than transferring images.
Historical studies, priors, integrations, modalities and clinical workflows all need to move or reconnect properly as part of the transition.
A well-planned Cloud PACS migration can be completed progressively, while keeping imaging operations running throughout the move.
Moving to AdvaPACS?
AdvaHealth has developed its own migration technology to make the transition faster and more efficient, including data compression to reduce transfer requirements and migration cost.
What Is a Cloud PACS Migration?
A Cloud PACS migration is the process of moving imaging data and PACS operations from an existing environment into a cloud-based PACS platform.
Depending on the organization, this can include:
The migration can be completed as a full replacement or in stages, depending on the current environment and operational requirements.
What Needs to Move?
The imaging archive is only one part of a PACS migration.
A complete migration plan should also consider how radiologists and clinical teams continue to access the information they need during and after the transition.
Imaging Data
Historical studies and priors need to remain available to radiologists after the move.
Metadata
Patient, study and series information must remain accurate and correctly associated with the imaging data.
Modalities
Existing modalities need to connect correctly to the new PACS environment.
Clinical Integrations
RIS, EHR, reporting, AI and other systems may need to be connected or reconfigured.
User and Workflow Configuration
Worklists, access permissions and other workflow settings may need to be recreated or improved as part of the migration.
How Is PACS Data Moved to the Cloud?
The exact process depends on the size of the archive, the existing PACS and the available network infrastructure.
For large imaging environments, efficient data transfer becomes especially important.
How AdvaPACS Approaches Migration
AdvaHealth has developed purpose-built migration technology specifically for organizations moving into AdvaPACS.
The tools are designed to improve transfer efficiency and use data compression to reduce the amount of data that needs to be moved.
This can help reduce:
The migration technology is used as part of moving to AdvaPACS and is not offered as a standalone migration service.
Plan the Right Storage Tier for Your Imaging Archive
Not every study needs the same level of storage performance.
During a Cloud PACS migration, recent studies and frequently accessed priors may need faster access, while older imaging can often be placed in lower-cost storage tiers.
A tiered storage approach can help balance:
- Fast access to recent and frequently used studies
- Nearline access for older imaging
- Long-term archive requirements
- Storage cost
- Retrieval performance
With AdvaPACS, storage can be structured around how imaging data is actually used rather than treating every study the same.
Combined with AdvaHealth's migration compression technology, this can help reduce both transfer and long-term storage costs while keeping prior studies available when needed.
Do You Need to Migrate Everything at Once?
Not necessarily.
A Cloud PACS migration can be approached in different ways depending on how quickly the organization wants to modernize.
Full Migration
Move the imaging archive, workflows and integrations into the new Cloud PACS as part of a complete PACS replacement.
Phased Migration
Move imaging data and workflows progressively while parts of the existing environment remain operational.
Hybrid Transition
Keep the existing PACS in place while moving imaging data into the cloud and gradually introducing new capabilities.
AdvaPACS supports full, phased and hybrid deployment approaches, allowing organizations to choose a migration path that fits their current environment.
Explore AdvaPACS Hybrid Archive →What Happens to Existing Integrations?
A PACS does not operate in isolation.
Before migration, organizations should identify the systems that need to continue communicating with the new PACS environment.
These may include:
AdvaPACS supports standards-based interoperability including DICOM, DICOMweb, HL7, FHIR and open APIs.
This allows existing and future systems to connect into the new imaging environment without unnecessarily limiting the organization to one technology ecosystem.
How Long Does a Cloud PACS Migration Take?
There is no single migration timeline that applies to every imaging organization.
The time required depends on factors such as:
- Size of the imaging archive
- Network bandwidth
- Existing PACS export capabilities
- Data quality
- Number of integrations
- Number of modalities
- Migration approach
- Validation requirements
AdvaHealth's migration technology is designed to accelerate the data-transfer portion of the project through efficient transfer and compression.
The right migration plan should prioritize both speed and accuracy rather than simply moving the archive as quickly as possible.
What Should You Look for in a Cloud PACS Migration?
Before choosing a migration approach, consider whether the plan addresses:
The goal should be more than moving data from one location to another. A Cloud PACS migration is also an opportunity to create a more flexible imaging environment for what comes next.
Where AdvaPACS Fits
AdvaPACS combines the Cloud PACS platform and the migration technology needed to move into it.
Organizations migrating to AdvaPACS can use AdvaHealth's purpose-built migration tools alongside a cloud-native PACS and Enterprise Imaging platform that includes:
AdvaPACS also supports unlimited users and modalities, usage-based pricing and no long-term lock-in.
Migration can be completed as a full replacement or through a phased or hybrid approach depending on the organization's needs.
Planning a Move to Cloud PACS?
If you are considering a move from an existing PACS to the cloud, we can review your current imaging environment and help determine the most efficient path into AdvaPACS.
