Why We Redefined Cloud PACS Pricing (And What It Means For You)

For years, the technology behind PACS has evolved, yet the business models have largely remained stagnant. The process of acquiring, maintaining, and scaling a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) has been bound by conventions that often create financial friction and operational inflexibility.

At AdvaHealth Solutions, we recognised a fundamental disconnect. The healthcare field is dynamic, yet the tools meant to support it were often sold under rigid, antiquated terms. This observation was the catalyst for change. We chose to build a pricing structure from the ground up—one designed for the reality of modern healthcare delivery.

The conventional approach to PACS pricing presents several well-known industry challenges that limit efficiency and create financial unpredictability.

• The Capital Expenditure Hurdle: Significant upfront investment in on-premise servers and infrastructure has historically been a major barrier, tying up capital that could be better used for patient care or other strategic initiatives.
• The Problem with Per-User Licensing: As organisations grow and the need for collaborative diagnostics increases, per-user and per-device licensing models become punitive, discouraging full access and creating workflow bottlenecks.
• Inflexible Contracts in a Dynamic Field: Multi-year, lock-in contracts are fundamentally at odds with the evolving needs of a healthcare organisation. They stifle the ability to adapt, scale, or adopt superior technology as it becomes available.
• The Unpredictability of Total Cost of Ownership: Beyond the initial purchase, the true cost of a traditional PACS is often obscured by separate maintenance fees, mandatory support contracts, and costly forklift upgrades, making long-term financial planning difficult.

We believe a modern technology platform deserves a modern business model. Our framework is built on three core principles designed to eliminate the friction points of the past.

1. Align Cost Directly with Clinical Activity: A healthcare organisation’s resource consumption is not static. Our pay-as-you-go model moves PACS from a fixed, and often inefficient, operational expense to a dynamic cost that directly mirrors study volume. When activity is high, costs align with revenue; when activity is lower, costs automatically decrease.
2. Remove All Barriers to Access and Collaboration: The effectiveness of a PACS is determined by how easily and broadly it can be used. By providing unlimited user access, we ensure that every clinician, technician, and referrer can access the system without the organisation incurring additional licensing fees. This fosters collaboration and improves efficiency across the board.
3. Build Partnerships Through Performance, Not Obligation: We believe our commitment to a client is demonstrated through continuous service and innovation, not a signature on a long-term contract. The absence of lock-in agreements means we are focused on earning your business every day, ensuring our goals are always aligned with yours.

This redefined model translates directly into strategic advantages. It enables a fundamental shift from capital expenditure (CapEx) to a more manageable operational expenditure (OpEx). It provides the financial agility to respond to market changes and the operational freedom to scale services without technological or contractual constraints.

Ultimately, this is about more than just pricing. It’s about providing a platform that empowers healthcare organisations to operate efficiently, scale intelligently, and focus on what matters most: delivering excellent patient care.

We set out to build a pricing model that we would want for ourselves—one that is transparent, flexible, and fair.

Explore the new standard in Cloud PACS pricing and take the first step towards a more agile and efficient future. See how a modern pricing structure can free up capital, empower your team, and provide the technological foundation for superior patient care.