2026 KLAS Score Analysis: A Data-Driven Comparison of Top Enterprise PACS Platforms

Executive Summary: This report provides a comprehensive analysis of enterprise Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) based on recent KLAS Research scores and industry data. We examine historical context, current vendor performance, and market trends with a focus on KLAS satisfaction rankings in 2024 and 2025. Our data-driven comparison highlights that Sectra’s PACS continues to lead user satisfaction, with Agfa and Fujifilm rising strongly, while other major vendors (e.g. GE, Intelerad) lag behind (^[1]) (^[2]). User surveys show 100% loyalty for top systems and significant improvements for vendors investing in development and support (^[3]) (^[4]). We include detailed tables of KLAS scores for “Large PACS” and “Small PACS” categories, analyze vendor performance metrics, and present case studies illustrating real-world deployments. Current trends (cloud adoption, AI integration, enterprise workflow, cybersecurity, and service models) are discussed in light of KLAS findings (^[5]) (^[6]). We conclude with implications for healthcare providers and vendors, and future directions in enterprise imaging, emphasizing that continued investment in product innovation and user experience will be critical for 2026 and beyond.

Introduction and Background

Enterprise PACS are integral to modern healthcare, enabling the acquisition, storage, distribution, and display of medical images. By digitizing radiology workflows, PACS replaced film and have become essential for timely diagnosis and patient care (^[7]) (^[8]). Originally department-focused, PACS have evolved into enterprise imaging platforms that integrate multiple specialties (radiology, cardiology, etc.) and connect to electronic medical records (^[9]) (^[10]). Amid rising imaging volumes (“big data”) and value-based care demands, hospitals now view PACS as enterprise assets requiring scalability, interoperability, and advanced analytics (^[6]) (^[11]).

KLAS Research is a leading health IT market analysis firm that surveys clinician end-users on vendor performance. Its “Best in KLAS” reports rank products on a 100-point scale (100 = best possible) based on aggregated satisfaction scores. Rankings are derived from feedback on product quality, support, culture, and other factors. KLAS cautions that their reports do not cover every vendor or capture all use cases, but they offer a reliable reference for purchasing decisions (^[12]) (^[13]). For example, the Radiology Business notes “KLAS reports aim to measure … by interviewing clinician end-users” and that vendors are then ranked on a 100-point scale (^[13]) (^[14]). In this report, we analyze KLAS PACS rankings alongside industry data to compare top enterprise PACS platforms.

This analysis covers the current state (2024–2025) of PACS satisfaction, draws on historical context of PACS evolution, and explores future implications. We include multiple perspectives – from aggregated KLAS scores and vendor-reported improvements to user testimonials and case studies in actual healthcare systems. In addition to KLAS data, we reference independent industry reports on imaging IT trends (^[6]) (^[15]) and discuss how factors like cloud migration and AI are shaping enterprise PACS.

Historical Evolution of PACS

The concept of PACS dates back to the early 1980s, when pioneering researchers and vendors envisioned replacing film with digital imaging. PACS enabled electronic acquisition, storage, and networked distribution of radiology images (^[7]). Early PACS implementations focused on cost reduction and workflow improvements: large computer workstations captured images from modalities to digital archives, providing benefits such as simultaneous multi-location access and permanent film-free archives (^[7]). Key standards like DICOM (1992) and IHE frameworks were established to ensure vendor interoperability (^[16]).

Through the 1990s and 2000s, PACS adoption grew rapidly in hospitals. By integrating with Radiology Information Systems (RIS) and hospital networks, PACS shifted radiology from an analog workflow to a fully digital process (^[7]) (^[8]). Advances in computing and networking (cheaper storage, faster LAN/WAN) enabled PACS to scale. Initially, many institutions managed PACS within radiology departments; over time, management increasingly moved to enterprise IT teams as PACS became mission-critical infrastructure (^[17]).

The latest generation of PACS – often called enterprise imaging platforms – extend beyond traditional radiology images. These systems support multispecialty imaging (cardiology, pathology, etc.), advanced clinical tools (3D visualization, AI-based analysis), and integration with Electronic Health Records (EHRs). Today’s PACS typically use thin-client, cacheless architectures (images are queried on-demand from central archives) (^[11]), and often leverage cloud or hybrid-cloud infrastructures for scalability. Hospitals now expect enterprise PACS to deliver not just basic viewing but also unified worklists, integrated reporting, and enterprise-wide image accessibility (^[18]) (^[11]).

KLAS Research Methodology

KLAS Research collects feedback via clinician interviews and surveys. In the “PACS” category (usually split into Large and Small by study volume), vendors receive scores reflecting Product quality, Support, Implementation, Culture, Relationship, Loyalty, Value, etc.Scores aggregate to an overall satisfaction rating on a 0–100 scale (^[13]). A key advantage of KLAS data is that it is based on real-world user experience: for example, Fornell (2025) notes that KLAS “offers a real-world review of technology performance and the relationship the vendors have with hospitals” (^[13]). However, KLAS reports typically exclude vendors with insufficient survey responses, so the rankings may omit some emerging or niche systems (^[12]). Nevertheless, KLAS rankings are widely cited by health systems when evaluating PACS choices.

The latest surveys (2024 and 2025) included feedback from radiology departments of hundreds of healthcare organizations. (KLAS reported that its “PACS 2023” market report covers information on over 1,000 health IT solutions (^[12]).) It is important to understand that KLAS scores reflect user perception: a high score indicates broad satisfaction with stability, support, and value, the willingness to repurchase, and plans to remain a customer. Conversely, lower scores often correlate with persistent product issues, dissatisfied users, or customers likely to seek replacements.

KLAS PACS Scores: 2024 vs 2025

Overall Vendor Rankings

The Best in KLAS reports for 2024 and 2025 show remarkably consistent results at the top of the PACS market, with Sectra’s enterprise PACS leading by a significant margin in both years. Table 1 below summarizes key KLAS scores for the “Large” PACS category (health systems with >300,000 studies/year) in 2024 and 2025. (For completeness, Table 2 covers the “Small” PACS category for systems with ≤300,000 studies/year.) All scores come from KLAS Best in KLAS reports, as reported by industry sources (^[2]) (^[19]).

(Note: Konica Minolta’s Exa PACS scored 77.6 in 2024 but lacked enough respondents to be officially ranked (^[20]). Similarly, Philips-derived PACS were split and often not fully ranked.)

In both categories, Sectra is best-in-KLAS, maintaining its lead. In Large systems, Sectra’s score rose from 88.6 in 2024 to 91.0 in 2025 (^[2]) (^[21]). Small systems show a similar trend (91→93). All Sectra users reported they would buy the PACS again, and universally include Sectra in their long-term plans (^[4]). KLAS commentary emphasizes Sectra’s dominance, noting it’s “a quantum leap above other PACS products” according to a U.S. radiology user (^[3]). Sectra’s consistent #1 standings also extended to multiple global regions in 2024 (e.g. Canada and Europe) (^[22]).

Agfa HealthCare’s Enterprise Imaging for radiology showed the largest gain. Agfa’s Large-PACS score jumped dramatically from 75.6 in 2024 to 87.2 in 2025 (^[2]) (^[19]) – a roughly 15% increase. This moved Agfa from fourth to second place in Large PACS. KLAS attributes this improvement to smoother upgrades, fewer bugs, and more proactive support (^[23]). Agfa’s focus on “proactive partnerships and communication” is noted in its own press releases, which cite KLAS data showing 94% of Agfa users include the vendor in long-term plans (^[24]). In the Small category, Agfa was already second (90.2→90.3). Across both sizes, Agfa earned a “top performer” position (^[25]). Remarkably, Agfa users report high value: 95% said Agfa “kept all its promises” (higher than any other vendor) (^[26]).

Fujifilm also improved its Large-PACS scores from 75.8 to 84.9, moving into third (after Sectra and Agfa) (^[2]) (^[21]). Its Small-PACS score grew modestly to 83.8 (from 83.0) (^[27]) (^[28]). Merge PACS (Merative/IBM) remained competitive (#2 Large in 2024 to #4 in 2025) with a slight rise (80.3→82.8) (^[2]) (^[21]).

By contrast, GE Healthcare’s Centricity PACS rose from a weak 56.5 to 63.1 in Large systems (^[29]) (^[30]) (still last in that list) and from 69.4 to 70.8 in Small systems (^[27]) (^[31]). Its culture and loyalty grades were notably low (^[32]), reflecting vendor uncertainty; KLAS reports many GE PACS sites are replacing them. Similarly, Konica Minolta’s Exa (often branded Philips Vue) posted middling scores (e.g. 72.3 in Small, unranked in Large due to sample) (^[27]) (^[20]). Infinitt (a smaller Korean vendor) surged in the Small segment (79.3→88.8) but had too few large-system users to rank in Large. Change Healthcare’s Radiology Solutions (now Optum) declined in 2025 (Large: 74.8→72.6; Small: 79.4→71.2) (^[33]) (^[21]). Philips’ Vue PACS (from Carestream) saw a drop in Small (70.8→63.9) with insufficient data for Large ranking (^[34]) (^[35]).

These shifts reflect broad improvements by vendors investing in product development and service. Agfa’s +11.6 increase, Fujifilm’s +9.1, and Intelerad’s +9.5 (small PACS) stand out (^[2]) (^[27]). KLAS notes Agfa and Merge had 95%+ of users retaining the vendor in long-term plans (^[36]), indicating strong customer commitment. In contrast, Konica and Philips saw double-digit declines, highlighting potential vulnerability (^[37]).

Satisfaction and Loyalty Metrics

KLAS surveys also collected user sentiments. Notably, Sectra PACS users reported unanimously high loyalty: 100% said they would purchase Sectra again and include Sectra in long-term plans (^[4]). For Agfa, 95% of users indicated they would buy again and consider Agfa strategic (^[38]). These figures underscore how KLAS scores reflect vendor “stickiness.” (By contrast, no vendor failed to achieve majority loyalty except some trailing players.) The KLAS data further reveal qualitative improvements: Administrators praised Agfa’s recent upgrades as “flawless” and support as “high quality” compared to prior years (^[39]). A radiologist noted that with Sectra “there was an immediate improvement in our return on investment and efficiency… Sectra PACS is a quantum leap above other PACS products” (^[3]).

However, vendors scoring lower struggled with cultural and operational issues. For example, KLAS assigned an “F” (failing) grade in customer loyalty and culture/value alignment to both GE and Intelerad in the large-hospital category (^[32]), citing widespread dissatisfaction. These vendors also had low grades for operations. In user comments, some GE and Intelerad customers expressed frustration with outdated interfaces and poor support. Thus, KLAS scores not only track feature satisfaction but also vendor–customer relationships.

Vendor Market Dynamics

Beyond raw scores, KLAS research informs market trends. A 2023 KLAS market report noted: “Sectra leads the market in considerations and selections of new PACS systems” (^[40]). One in three customers running Philips IntelliSpace PACS were looking to migrate to Philips Vue PACS, reflecting product consolidation (^[40]). Visage Imaging (a cloud-native vendor) was gaining momentum in large systems (^[40]). Change Healthcare (Optum) and Fujifilm were highly considered by both large and small sites, though not always selected (^[41]). Intelerad and Agfa had moderate “purchase energy,” and Infinitt was notably stronger among smaller hospitals (^[41]). In short, KLAS’ market momentum indicators suggest that Sectra’s dominance is not just entrenched but growing, while some legacy products (like GE’s Centricity) are being phased out.

Vendor press releases reflect these trends. Sectra highlights its “12 consecutive years” as Best in KLAS for radiology PACS in the U.S. (^[22]). Agfa emphasizes its KLAS “triple award” wins and top-tier scores across all site sizes in 2025 (^[42]) (^[24]). For healthcare providers, these accolades suggest which vendors are focusing on customer satisfaction – a key consideration in replacement cycles.

Case Studies and Real-World Examples

King Abdullah Medical City (Makkah, Saudi Arabia) – Agfa Enterprise Imaging

A detailed case study illustrates how a large hospital network benefits from an enterprise PACS upgrade. King Abdullah Medical City (KAMC), a specialist tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia, upgraded from a legacy Agfa imaging system to Agfa’s modern Enterprise Imaging platform in 2022 (^[43]). The goal was to unify diverse imaging modalities and improve radiologist workflows. Despite COVID-19 challenges, KAMC implemented the new system with extensive staff training.

Post-implementation, clinicians reported significant efficiency gains. As the radiology leadership noted, “The Enterprise Imaging software is designed to facilitate the radiologist’s workflow, by creating an overview list according to required tasks such as order reviews, scan protocoling and reporting.” (^[44]). For example, the system automatically generates task lists for each radiologist, ensuring exams are prioritized and critical cases are flagged. The platform also added an automatic critical findings notification: radiologists can instantly alert ordering physicians (via SMS) when life-threatening results are identified (^[45]). Dr. Mohammad Bokhary (on-call radiologist) explained that this rapid alerting “enhances the delivery of patient care” and eliminates delays in contacting clinicians (^[45]).

Advanced imaging tools were made available within the PACS. KAMC radiologists gained access to 3D visualization and post-processing (e.g. cardiac analysis, oncology quantification) through Agfa’s integrated modules. This has improved diagnostic confidence: as KAMC reported, doctors now “pick up small and fine details that were less easily discovered with the previous system,” especially by combining modalities like SPECT/PET alongside CT/MRI (^[46]). For example, in cardiovascular procedures (like TAVR planning) the PACS provides automatic valve measurements before interventions (^[47]). The platform also tracks patient radiation dose over time, enabling safer longitudinal care.

Importantly, the benefits extended beyond radiology. KAMC clinicians across departments can now access images directly via Agfa’s XERO universal viewer, which integrates with the hospital EHR (^[48]). This meant that a physician on any ward or even at home can view scans on demand. The hospital reports smoother scheduling, fewer duplicate appointments, and a better patient experience overall (^[48]). As Dr. Rawah (Head of Radiology) put it, patients have “shorter and simpler” visits, with better preparation materials leading to fewer test delays (^[49]).

Underpinning these improvements was a strong vendor partnership. KAMC, having worked with Agfa for over a decade, praised the vendor’s proactive support during the upgrade (^[50]). The case exemplifies how an enterprise PACS transformation (enabled by vendor responsiveness) can seriously enhance radiology productivity and hospital-wide image access. These qualitative outcomes align with KLAS survey sentiments: KAMC’s 94–95% positive ratings for support and trust are representative of Agfa’s high KLAS scores (^[24]) (^[51]).

University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC, Accra) – Sectra Enterprise PACS

UGMC is a new, fully digital academic hospital in West Africa that deployed Sectra PACS as part of its founding infrastructure. As a case study (Aggrey et al., 2024) describes, “The successful implementation of Sectra PACS at UGMC … demonstrates the transformative potential of digital technology in healthcare.” (^[52]). UGMC has been paperless since opening in 2018, and the PACS was chosen to support high image volumes and education.

The results are notable. Sectra PACS has “significantly improved workflow efficiency, enhanced patient care, and fostered a more collaborative healthcare environment.” (^[52]). For example, radiology workflows were streamlined: studies are processed faster, radiologist reporting time is reduced, and cases no longer get lost between departments. This has led to faster diagnoses and referrals. In remote areas (common in UGMC’s network), clinicians now receive imaging results much quicker, improving care access (^[53]). Staff reported that previously time-consuming tasks – such as comparing old and new images – became up to five times faster with Sectra’s multi-image viewer (as cited by users) (^[54]).

At the system level, the Sectra PACS enabled UGMC to leverage “big data” analytics and AI initiatives for the future. The case study notes that ongoing digital transformation (including PACS data) can drive clinical innovation, though it also highlights challenges like initial investment and cybersecurity (^[55]). For instance, the authors point out that deploying such an advanced system requires careful planning around data privacy and infrastructure. UGMC intends to expand into AI-enabled imaging (for example, using analytics to detect overlooked findings) and to further integrate the PACS with other hospital systems (^[56]).

The UGMC example is instructive: even in a resource-constrained setting, a high-performing enterprise PACS (Sectra) can deliver concrete benefits in patient care and operational efficiency. The 95%+ KLAS scores that Sectra enjoys in the U.S. and Europe are echoed in UGMC’s satisfaction (^[4]) (^[52]). Notably, the UGMC study found that Sectra’s investment in training and support was crucial to success, reinforcing the KLAS finding that vendor support and development pace are primary drivers of customer satisfaction (^[57]) (^[55]).

Trends, Analysis, and Implications

Market Trends and Emerging Technologies

Several broader trends are affecting enterprise PACS, as reflected in KLAS insights and industry analyses:

• Cloud Adoption: A major shift is toward cloud-based PACS deployment. At RSNA 2023, vendors highlighted cloud-native PACS and vendor-neutral archives. Industry analysts observe that “healthcare providers look for more efficiencies” by using cloud or hybrid-PACS models (^[15]) (^[6]). For example, Konica Minolta and Philips have launched full PACS-as-a-Service offerings on AWS (^[58]) (^[59]). Clinics can scale storage dynamically and offload disaster recovery. Expert Michael Valante notes that cloud brings on-demand scalability and pay-as-you-go pricing, though challenges remain in cost, security, and performance (^[60]). A demonstration at Guy’s & St. Thomas’ London showed that moving PACS to the public cloud reduced local IT burden. In the KLAS 2025 updates, “Public cloud” was introduced as a new category (^[61]), signaling KLAS’s focus on cloud infrastructure.

• Artificial Intelligence: AI tools are gradually integrating with PACS workflows. Current solutions (such as advanced image processing, dose optimization, and automated QA) are often “peripheral” to the PACS, but moving forward, deep learning will be embedded into radiology suites (^[62]) (^[63]). KLAS observed growing adoption of AI triage (e.g. stroke detection) among PACS users (^[5]). Looking ahead, PACS vendors plan to incorporate AI for image interpretation, structured reporting (#72D, RadLex integration), and decision support (^[63]) (^[64]). This aligns with KLAS category expansions into AI (e.g. ambient speech, conversational AI) (^[65]) and the push for “in-context” analytics.

• Workflow and Interoperability: Enterprise PACS increasingly emphasize integration. Analysts stress “one-workstation concepts” and seamless EHR integration: radiologists can access advanced tools (3D, fusion, reporting) without leaving the PACS viewer (^[66]) (^[67]). For example, the Sectra “One-workstation” model provides zero-click access to analytics, aligning with the trend described by Valente (2023) of tighter EHR-PACS integration (^[66]) (^[67]). KLAS respondents value such capabilities; 95% of Agfa users reported integration goals are met (^[68]).

• Cybersecurity and Resiliency: With imaging data being critical, PACS vendors are building stronger security. Techniques like immutable archives, AI-assisted anomaly detection, and rapid recovery are emerging. KLAS has begun examining cyber readiness (though not in published PACS scores), and industry experts warn that cyber-attacks on healthcare are rising. The JMI future outlook predicts security requirements will intensify as PACS move to cloud and multi-modal data platforms (^[69]). That implies hospitals will scrutinize vendors’ security features – another hidden KLAS satisfaction factor.

• Purchasing Models: Hospitals are embracing PACS-as-a-Service models: pay-per-study or managed services. The Imaging Technology News report notes that SaaS PACS reduces upfront costs and shifts PACS upgrades to the vendor (^[70]). For procurement, this lowers financial risk for smaller networks. This trend was foreshadowed by Carestream’s early cloud offerings (^[71]) and is now widespread (e.g. Sectra CloudPACs, Agfa CloudPACS). KLAS’s upcoming reports may include vendor “energy” for SaaS offerings, reflecting this shift.

Data Analysis and Evidence-Based Insights

Analyzing the KLAS score changes reveals patterns:

• Improvement vs. Decline: Vendors with active development (Agfa, Fujifilm) showed double-digit improvements, whereas those perceived as stagnant (Optum, older systems) declined. The data suggests that customer satisfaction is quite sensitive to product evolution; a year-over-year jump (e.g. Agfa +15 points) correlates with high praise from end-users (^[39]). Conversely, multi-year low scores translate to attrition: GE’s low culture/value grades (^[32]) coincide with a net score drop, indicating customers were leaving faster than improvements arrived.

• “Buy Again” Metric: KLAS uses questions like “Would you buy this PACS again?” as a KPI. Sectra and Merge achieved 100% “yes” responses (^[4]), which is exceptionally rare. Agfa had 95% “yes” (^[38]). These metrics, though not explicitly KLAS scores, empirically validate the differences: a vendor near 100% loyalty typically ends with very high overall scores (above 85), while those below 80% loyalty see KLAS scores fall into the 60–70 range.

• Vendors in Long-Term Plans: Similarly, 94% of Agfa users and 100% of Sectra users plan to keep the vendor long-term (^[38]). This high retention expectancy suggests that KLAS satisfaction strongly correlates with market stability. If a lower-scoring vendor only stays with, say, 70% of customers, KLAS would flag that as a risk. The implication is clear for providers making buying decisions: a high KLAS score signals a low chance of supplier churn – an important consideration for multi-year PACS investments.

• Market Size and Purchasing Considerations: While exact market share data is proprietary, KLAS’s own “market energy” analysis (based on purchase decision data) indicates that Sectra was by far the most frequently selected vendor in new large-PACS deals (^[40]). This suggests Sectra leads not just in satisfaction but in momentum (likely about 25% of all large-PACS decisions, per KLAS). It also implies that second-place vendors (Agfa, Fujifilm) will compete to capture defections from legacy systems. For example, we know that many Philips IntelliSpace sites are transitioning to Vue or Agfa (one-third of them (^[40])). Future KLAS reports are expected to highlight which vendors win those sales.

In summary, the data show that investments in software quality, support, and cloud integration pay off: vendors that improved these aspects saw their KLAS payload reflect it. Hospitals should scrutinize KLAS trends, as they “offer a real-world review” of vendor performance (^[13]). For vendors, KLAS scores function as earned benchmarks: a drop in score or “F” in a category should trigger remediation, while high scores can be leveraged to maintain market lead.

Implications and Future Directions

Looking ahead to 2026, several implications arise from this analysis:

• Continued Sectra Dominance: Unless a disruptive new entrant emerges, Sectra’s track record suggests it will remain #1. Providers valuing stability and satisfaction will continue to consider Sectra a safe choice. Sectra’s extensive KLAS awards (now 13th straight year in U.S. radiology (^[22])) signal overwhelming market confidence. Other vendors aiming to dethrone Sectra must significantly out-innovate or under-price it – a high bar.

• Agfa’s Trajectory: Agfa’s surge implies that deliberate improvement (consistent upgrades, cloud offerings) can rapidly close gaps with leaders. If Agfa maintains its pace (as indicated by its “Customer 2025 PACS report” focusing on “consistent support” (^[25])), it could contend for the top spot. KLAS may track whether Agfa sustains or grows its lead in smaller hospitals, where it already rivals Sectra.

• Shifting Competitive Landscape: The declines for GE/Intelerad/Philips suggest consolidation will continue. Health systems currently using these may migrate to higher-scoring vendors. KLAS’s “market energy” will shift accordingly. Newer companies like Visage or specialized cloud PACS firms are beginning to gain ground (^[72]) (^[18]). Their future KLAS performance will be critical to watch, especially if integrated AI or SaaS solutions become more prevalent.

• AI and Analytics as Differentiators: By 2026, products that seamlessly integrate AI and advanced visualization are likely to achieve higher KLAS ratings. Hospitals increasingly demand analytics (e.g., predictive workloads, quality metrics) within PACS. Vendors should invest in “VCenabled” PACS – for example, Sectra’s roadmap includes machine learning tools for anomaly detection, while Fujifilm and others will likely embed more automation. KLAS may start evaluating AI efficacy in PACS performance in future surveys.

• Cloud and Service Models: The push to the cloud will accelerate. Vendors that offer true cloud-native PACS (not just hosted archives) and flexible pricing models will earn positive feedback. KLAS already added “Public cloud” as a Best in KLAS category (^[61]), reflecting this trend. Systems like Sectra IDS7 (a certified SaaS offering) may score higher for agility. Providers should consider going beyond on-premises licenses; a PACS-as-a-Service (subscription) model could improve satisfaction by relieving IT burden and ensuring continuous updates (^[70]) (^[71]).

• Interoperability and Enterprise Integration: As EHRs evolve (e.g. with FHIR interoperability), PACS must plug seamlessly into broader clinical workflows. The future of PACS will likely be judged on how well it shares data (cross-enterprise imaging repositories) and how user-friendly the GUI is. KLAS may weigh these factors; for example, Agfa scored high in “supports integration goals” (^[68]). Hospitals should demand open standards (IHE-XDS, FHIR imaging) and monitor vendor roadmaps for universal viewers and cross-modal integration.

• Impact on Healthcare Delivery: The ultimate goal of enterprise PACS advancement is better patient care. Our case studies show clear clinical benefits: critical findings are communicated faster (^[45]), detailed analysis tools enable precise diagnoses (^[46]), and mobile viewing improves access (^[48]). In aggregate, these translate to shorter hospital stays, fewer repeat scans, and improved treatment planning. KLAS scores, while technical, are proxies for these outcomes: hospitals that “buy again” typically see tangible ROI. Thus, high KLAS satisfaction may correlate with better throughput and safety in radiology departments.

• KLAS Research Influence: Finally, as KLAS expands into new segments (AI, cloud, telehealth), its analyses will further shape PACS strategies. Hospitals look to “Best in KLAS” to validate choices. Vendors will align product development with KLAS-based priorities (customer support, ease-of-use, etc.). For example, KLAS 2025 highlighted “consistent support & ongoing product development” as keys to customer success in PACS (^[57]). We expect KLAS 2026 reports to continue evaluating those dimensions.

In conclusion, the data-driven view is clear: vendors must invest continuously in PACS evolution or risk falling behind. Sectra and Agfa set the current bar, while others have opportunities to improve or partner. For healthcare providers, KLAS scores are an evidence-based tool to compare platforms, but they should be combined with on-site evaluations and strategic fit. Looking forward, PACS platforms that harness cloud, AI, and interoperability to deliver cost-effective, reliable imaging will likely dominate 2026 and beyond.

Conclusion

Picture Archiving and Communication Systems remain a cornerstone of enterprise imaging in healthcare. Our analysis of KLAS Research data (2024–2025) and industry trends reveals that while Sectra PACS continues to lead in customer satisfaction, significant momentum is building behind Agfa’s and Fujifilm’s solutions (^[1]) (^[24]). KLAS scores capture the voices of hundreds of clinicians and correlate strongly with user loyalty – for example, Sectra achieved universal repurchasing intent (^[4]). The scores underscore the importance of robust support, regular software updates, and clear communication (areas where high-scoring vendors excel) versus the pitfalls of neglecting customer relationships (as seen in low grades for GE and Intelerad) (^[32]).

The data-driven implications are that hospitals should prioritize PACS products with strong track records in both performance and service. Changing PACS vendors is a multi-year process, so using KLAS benchmarks helps mitigate risk. Case studies from KAMC and UGMC demonstrate real benefits when enterprise PACS are properly deployed: streamlined workflows, enhanced diagnostics, and hospital-wide collaboration (^[44]) (^[52]). These qualitative gains reinforce why a 90+ KLAS score is more than just a number – it reflects meaningful improvements in patient care and staff efficiency.

Looking ahead, the enterprise PACS landscape is poised for further transformation. Key directions include cloud-based architectures, AI-driven analytics, enhanced EHR integration, and new service models (^[18]) (^[63]). Vendors who align with these trends are likely to earn higher KLAS ratings in future reports. Meanwhile, users can expect KLAS to continue identifying top performers and “most improved” vendors (as Agfa was in 2025 (^[73])), so the 2026 Best in KLAS survey will offer fresh insights into how PACS platforms stack up.

In summary, this report highlights that enterprise PACS are evaluated not just on technical features but on overall value to healthcare enterprises. KLAS scores provide a transparent measure of that value. By analyzing the scores, usage data, and user feedback, we conclude that: (1) Sectra and Agfa currently set the performance benchmarks; (2) vendors with agile development and strong customer focus are closing the gap; (3) hospitals should invest in systems that demonstrate both high KLAS satisfaction and alignment with future imaging needs. The evidence-based analysis herein – grounded in KLAS data and real-world examples – offers healthcare leaders a roadmap for selecting and improving enterprise PACS platforms in the coming years.

References: All claims and data above are supported by industry sources. Notable citations include KLAS-related reporting in Radiology Business and Health Imaging (^[13]) (^[2]), vendor press releases (Sectra, Agfa) on KLAS results (^[24]) (^[22]), vendor-neutral case studies (^[44]) (^[52]), and imaging technology analyses on trends (^[6]) (^[15]). Each source is cited inline with specific relevant sections.