Enterprise Imaging Landscape: Key Trends & Vendor Performance – A KLAS Research Deep Dive
The enterprise imaging market is evolving rapidly, moving beyond simple digitization to focus on interoperability, cloud adoption, and expanded service line integration. Recent KLAS Research findings reveal shifts in vendor performance and highlight critical areas for healthcare organizations to consider as thay navigate this complex landscape. This article breaks down the key takeaways, offering insights to help you make informed decisions about your imaging strategy.
The Shifting Vendor Landscape
Several vendors are demonstrating strong momentum. AGFA is emerging as a leader, particularly in VNA and viewer technology, earning recognition in KLAS’s Best in KLAS 2025 awards. Simultaneously occurring, GE Healthcare is showing signs of recovery with its viewer offerings, though support challenges remain a concern for some customers.
Here’s a snapshot of how key players are positioned:
AGFA: Strong momentum in both VNA and universal viewer (UV) performance. Their XERO Viewer leads in broader-use tools.
GE Healthcare: Viewer improvements are slowing down some planned replacements, but consistent support is still an area needing attention. Sectra: Widely considered for enterprise imaging (EI) consolidation, frequently enough bundled with PACS solutions. their UniView is primarily used for referential viewing.
Visage Imaging: Frequently chosen as a front-end PACS replacement due to its speed and advanced workflows, often deployed in the cloud. They are actively developing a VNA.
Fujifilm & Merge by Merative: Currently lead in VNA performance scores, offering reliable performance and, in the case of Merge, improved training and communication.
Hyland & Mach7: Users report slower enhancements and support challenges with these VNA solutions.
Cloud Adoption: Moving Beyond Pilot Programs
Cloud migration is no longer a future aspiration; its happening now. KLAS data shows 12% of organizations are already live in the cloud, with another 4% having signed contracts for implementation. Importantly, nearly one-third (29%) are planning a move within the next one to two years. These decisions are being driven by your internal strategic goals, not solely by vendor pressure.
Expanding Beyond Radiology: Service Line Integration
The scope of enterprise imaging is expanding beyond conventional radiology. You are increasingly storing and managing images from various service lines:
POCUS (Point-of-Care Ultrasound): Stored by over half of respondents.
GI/ENT/Surgery scopes: Stored by 41%.
Pathology Images: Digitization is lagging, but gaining traction.
Natural-Light Wound/Dermatology Images: Relatively low adoption currently.
Most universal viewers are still used for referential viewing across the enterprise, but Visage and GE are increasingly serving as primary diagnostic viewers.
Performance Insights: VNA & Universal Viewers
KLAS scores provide valuable insights into vendor performance. Here’s a breakdown:
VNA Performance:
Fujifilm (Synapse VNA): 88.4
Merge by Merative (Merge VNA): 87.4
AGFA: 74.9 (showing the most significant momentum)
Universal Viewer Performance:
AGFA (XERO Viewer): 90.0
Visage 7: 88.5
Mach7 (eUnity): 83.6
GE Universal Viewer: 71.5 (with limited data caveats)
Customer feedback reveals that Merge customers appreciate steadier performance and improved support. Fujifilm users desire clearer product roadmaps beyond radiology and cardiology, while GE is working to address functionality gaps. Hyland and Mach7 VNA users have expressed concerns about slower enhancements and support responsiveness.
Key Takeaways & Future Outlook
Enterprise imaging success now depends on reliable upgrades, responsive support, and seamless cross-service-line viewing – all underpinned by a well-defined cloud strategy. Here’s a quick recap of the key trends:
AGFA is gaining ground with strong VNA and viewer momentum.
* GE’s viewer improvements are impacting replacement cycles, but support remains