The Big Picture: Web technology proliferates in PACS

The Big Picture:Web technology proliferates in PACSBy Erik L. Ridley, EditorThe use of the World Wide Web in the PACS realm continues to expand, and many vendors are devoting increasing resources to bringing these capabilities to their product

The Big Picture:
Web technology proliferates in PACS

By Erik L. Ridley, Editor

The use of the World Wide Web in the PACS realm continues to expand, and many vendors are devoting increasing resources to bringing these capabilities to their product lines. One company, eMed Technologies (formerly Access Radiology) even changed its name in recognition of the increasing role the Internet plays in its future.

Other firms are also moving aggressively to add Web and complementary technologies. They include Merge Technologies, which has signed a letter of intent to acquire Interpra Medical Imaging. Merge believes that Interpra’s products will find a solid niche in the dawning era of integrated image and information management systems.

Additionally, MR imaging center chain Medical Device Technologies has signed a letter of intent to acquire a stake in Total Information Management Systems. MDT hopes to take advantage of the firm’s Web-based software to improve efficiency among its imaging centers.

With vendors adopting this technology at a rapid pace, the Web continues to solidify its role in the digital image management sector.

In other news, I’ll be moving on to a new post as editor of our sister publication, Diagnostic Imaging SCAN. Taking over as editor of PACS & Networking News will be Kathy Kincade, a longtime contributor to PNN and our sister publications Diagnostic Imaging and Telehealth Magazine. She also served as editor of Telemedicine Business News, the predecessor to PNN, and has extensive experience covering the teleradiology and PACS markets. The new editor can be reached at kkincade@mfi.com.