DataFirst Hyper-Migration is a turnkey solution to migrating DICOM data from your legacy system to your new system—quickly, safely, and cost-effectively. In many scenarios, it’s a better choice than conventional data migration strategies.
Conventional Migration
Typical DICOM data migrations are manual and involve various types of media—such as DVDs, CDs, magneto optical (MO) cartridges, Blu-ray Discs, and tapes—and due to the legacy underlying technology, may require transferring the data one patient record at a time. The process can involve tens of thousands of files and can take many months or even years to complete. In addition, the older the legacy archive system, the greater the potential for migration problems.
For many organizations, a conventional DICOM data migration approach works well, especially if the legacy system is fully functional, supported, and easily maintained throughout the project. However, many medical facilities lack this level of functionality in their existing systems. For these organizations that do not have a stable, functioning system, the migration process could be time-consuming, tedious, complex, costly, and resource-intensive.
The Challenge
Migrating DICOM image data is an enormous undertaking that places huge demand on the legacy system (jukebox) during the process. In many cases, the legacy jukebox technology (DVD, MOD, etc.) fails and cannot continue to provide data to the requesting device. This typically results in clinical downtime, costly service calls and an indefinitely or permanently paused data migration. Furthermore, the parts and service required to regain successful operation of the legacy archive may not be available due to product obsolescence.
Additionally, transferring semi-DICOM or even “true DICOM” data between servers and archives requires industry expertise since nearly all solutions treat image data uniquely. Specialized DICOM tools must be incorporated to accommodate specific requirements and ensure the data sent to the target system is in the format it prefers.
The Benefits of Hyper-Migration
In these risky, costly, and frustrating situations, a Hyper-Migration strategy will deliver the best results. The process is seamless for clinical staff and technologists and DataFirst engineers manage the process in a turnkey fashion.
Hyper-Migration can offer significant and tangible business benefits over the conventional approach, such as:
- Expedites the migration process, dramatically reducing total project longevity
- Offers a highly efficient, cost-effective, safe alternative to other migration strategies
- Is particularly suited for image-intensive specialties, such as cardiology and radiology
- Frees up local clinical and IT resources that would normally need to participate in the process
- Reads data in a parallel fashion, rather than file by file as in conventional strategies
- Eliminates any potential problems related to the older system during the migration process
- Can be used as a disaster recovery solution by quickly copying data off a broken archive system
- Allows you to decommission your legacy jukebox technology BEFORE the migration and secure all data online for future use
- Lets you see ROI on your new imaging system much faster than with traditional DICOM migrations
Additional Hyper-Migration Services
Hyper Data Cleansing / Tag Validation
DataFirst evaluates, modifies or replaces the contents of a specific DICOM tag within each image as it passes through the migration process. These services are offered in addition to normal data migration projects.
Archive Refresh
DataFirst upgrades the legacy storage repository, such as copying data from a jukebox to spinning disk to move data online and make it readily accessible.
» Contact DataFirst to learn if Hyper-Migration is right for you
