Guides
How to Choose PACS Software: A 10-Point Checklist and On-Premise vs Cloud
Choosing PACS software is a long-term decision because imaging data accumulates for years. Use this checklist to evaluate vendors.
10 evaluation criteria
- DICOM compliance: request the DICOM Conformance Statement and test with your existing modalities.
- RIS workflow: worklist, registration and reporting, or image storage only. See RIS-PACS solutions.
- Viewer: 2D, measurements, MPR, 3D and multi-study comparison. See What is a DICOM viewer.
- HIS/LIS/EMR integration: HL7/FHIR, API and integration support.
- Security: role-based access, audit logs, encryption in transit and backup.
- Performance and capacity: open time for large CT studies, compression and long-term storage policy.
- Scalability: more modalities, more sites, teleradiology and AI.
- Technical support: response time, 24/7 coverage and upgrade plan.
- Certifications and quality management: for example ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 13485.
- Total cost of ownership: license, infrastructure, maintenance, training and data migration.
On-premise or cloud?
| On-premise | Cloud | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | High (servers, storage) | Low, pay as you use |
| Data control | Fully in-house | Depends on infrastructure provider |
| Scaling | Requires more hardware | Fast and flexible |
| Network dependence | Low | High, needs stable connectivity |
| Best for | Large hospitals, sensitive data | Clinics, networks, teleradiology |
Many facilities choose a hybrid model: keep recent images on-site and back up to the cloud.
Questions to ask vendors
- Can data be exported in standard DICOM if you switch vendors?
- What are the backup and recovery procedures, and how often are they tested?
- What is the product roadmap for AI and consultation?
saolaPACS supports on-premise, data center and cloud deployments. Contact us for a survey and quotation.