Design of Hosted ASP Solution for an Imaging Informatics System

Abstract: PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) are IT systems used for distributing, viewing and archiving digital images in radiology. Sectra Imtec AB develops and markets Sectra's PACS systems as large enterprise solutions where the customers pay for hardware, software licenses and support. The background to the study was that interesting business opportunities lies in providing Sectra PACS as a hosted ASP (Application Service Provider) solution through the Internet. This solution would make it possible to run PACS clients connected to the same server on many different sites, requiring only an internet connection. It would decrease the need of on-site hardware, software and service. The purpose of the study is to investigate obstacles and opportunities for development, adaptation and integration of a hosted ASP solution for the current Sectra PACS and to develop a prototype based on these investigations. The method Case Study Research is used to develop a lo-fi (low fidelity) prototype for hosted ASP solution for Sectra PACS. User analysis is made through PACT (People, Activities, Contexts and Technologies) analysis, the stakeholder model and by visiting a clinic. Focus has been on developing a prototype where changes to the current Sectra PACS are kept on a minimum level. This has resulted in that the hosted ASP solution could be implemented without a lot of new development, only small changes in the current Sectra PACS are necessary. The lo-fi prototype provides an overview of the hosted ASP solution and covers different areas; from server configurations to client configuration and legal aspects.