Agfa strikes alliance with Network Appliance

The PACS industry has a new alliance. Agfa and Network Appliance, a provider of enterprise network storage solutions, have entered into a marketing, technology, and distribution partnership to offer NetApp network storage solutions to buyers of Agfa's IMPAX PACS. NetApp technologies are intended to ease the difficulties that may occur when sharing diagnostic images across hospital departments and sending to remote locations. NetApp FAS and NearStore address technical and economic limitations, as well as shortcomings associated with networking and management of storage resources. They promise to reduce expenses associated with accessing and managing isolated storage resources. They also enhance architecture flexibility for IT growth, while helping customers meet security requirements associated with standards and regulations, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.