--- title: Should I Move Legacy DICOM Data To The Cloud? description: When upgrading to a cloud PACS you'll need to consider what you will do with your existing data. Our experience with clients has informed these suggestions image: https://www.purview.net/hubfs/_Blog%20Graphics%20(9)-1.png --- [Patient Log In](https://www.purview.net/sign_in) ![](https://www.purview.net/hs-fs/hubfs/search-icon.png?width=40&height=42&name=search-icon.png) [![Purview® Logo](https://www.purview.net/hs-fs/hubfs/image1.png?width=1600&height=212&name=image1.png "Purview® Logo")](https://www.purview.net) Open main menu Close main menu - SOLUTIONS Open the submenu - [Expert View](https://www.purview.net/expert-view) - [Purview Image](https://www.purview.net/image) - CLIENTS Open the submenu - [Hospitals](https://www.purview.net/hospitals) - [Physicians](https://www.purview.net/physicians) - [Radiologists](https://www.purview.net/radiologists) - [Veterinary Specialists](https://www.purview.net/veterinary-specialists) - [Legal Services](https://www.purview.net/legal-services) - LEARN Open the submenu - [Blog](https://www.purview.net/learn-blog) - [Webinars](https://www.purview.net/webinars) - [Case Studies](https://www.purview.net/case-studies) - [White Papers](https://www.purview.net/whitepapers) - [User Stories](https://www.purview.net/user-stories) - [FAQ](https://www.purview.net/faqs) - [News](https://www.purview.net/news) - [ABOUT](https://www.purview.net/about) - [Talk to Us](https://www.purview.net/contact-us) # [Blog](https://www.purview.net/-temporary-slug-b02e404d-d4fc-45ef-892c-6e2fb3eb27cb?hs_preview=wZjuNnwR-68372816499) - [Blog](https://www.purview.net/learn-blog) - [Webinars](https://www.purview.net/webinars) - [Case Studies](https://www.purview.net/case-studies) - [White Papers](https://www.purview.net/whitepapers) - [User Stories](https://www.purview.net/user-stories) - [FAQ](https://www.purview.net/faqs) - [News](https://www.purview.net/news) [Medical Imaging](https://www.purview.net/blog/topic/medical-imaging) [Cloud PACS](https://www.purview.net/blog/topic/cloud-pacs) # Should I Move Legacy DICOM Data To The Cloud? **Written By:** Kayla McCarthy | **Published On:** September 6, 2021  Printer Friendly [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://www.purview.net/blog/dicom-data-mirgration) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.purview.net/blog/dicom-data-mirgration) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.purview.net/blog/dicom-data-mirgration) ![should I move my legacy dicom data to the cloud?](https://www.purview.net/hubfs/_Blog%20Graphics%20(9)-1.png) ![_Blog Graphics (9)-1](https://www.purview.net/hs-fs/hubfs/_Blog%20Graphics%20(9)-1.png?width=600&name=_Blog%20Graphics%20(9)-1.png) Now that you are looking to move your practice to a [cloud PACS](https://www.purview.net/blog/cloud-pacs-vs-local-onsite-pacs), it is time to consider what you want to do with your legacy data. The medical records that you currently have in your practice need to be retained in accordance with your local jurisdiction's laws. Some doctors choose to just keep the legacy data on their workstations or where it was originally stored. Others consider options like migrating that data onto the cloud. While the choice to migrate data over to the cloud is personal, we have worked with a lot of clients who consider what to do with their legacy data and recommend considering the following before making your decision. ## What is Data Migration? Simply put, data migration is the act of transferring data (medical records in this case) from one location to another. When switching PACS providers, an institution will typically have two options when dealing with legacy data: **Option 1:** Leave the data on the previous system and continue to maintain the ongoing costs of administration and support, which can be costly and inefficient. **Option 2:** Migrate data over to the new system (we have seen this is favorable among many of our clients). Migrating data will store all of the critical medical studies and images in one centralized location, which will dramatically decrease the time and effort spent looking for data in disparate systems.   ## How long are medical institutions required to store data? There are requirements to the length of time medical records must be kept, and each state has its own unique requirements on how long they must maintain these medical records (click [here](https://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/appa7-1.pdf) to see your state’s requirements). Since most practices have to keep legacy data regardless, migrating data can ensure your practice is following regulations. Once it comes time to purge legacy data, having it in one centralized location can also simplify that process.  ## How long does a legacy DICOM data migration take? At Purview, we manage data migrations in a first-in, first-out sequence. The sooner we receive your DICOM data according to our guidelines, the sooner we are able to process your data and upload it into the cloud. Migrations could take anywhere from a few days to a few months after we receive the hard drive depending on the amount of data, which can range from 50GB to 10TB or even higher. The Purview representative managing your migration will be able to provide a closer time estimate.  ## What happens after the data is uploaded into the Purview cloud? Once the migration team has concluded the ingestion of your prior/legacy DICOM data into your cloud account, the studies will be stored long-term and made available for viewing, downloading, and [sharing](https://www.purview.net/blog/how-can-i-share-my-patients-medical-records-with-another-provider) as needed. Our services team will notify you of the completion, securely ship the drive back to you after confirming the return address, and will provide photos of the drive along with tracking information. ## How much will this cost?  Data migration costs will vary depending on the size of data sets. Reach out to one of our Account Executives for a customized quote.  [![Watch a purview image demonstration](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/462304/5822cd92-f818-48fe-9aa0-ec85a84638c2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/462304/5822cd92-f818-48fe-9aa0-ec85a84638c2) Related articles [![](https://www.purview.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Legal-jury.jpg?height=200&name=Legal-jury.jpg) Medical Imaging | Healthcare Technology | Litigation Presenting Medical Images as Evidence;                                   A Strategic Advantage in Trial Les Trachtman, EE, JD, MBA Read Now](https://www.purview.net/blog/entering-medical-images-into-evidence-at-trial) [![](https://www.purview.net/hs-fs/hubfs/02_Library/(old)%20wp-content/2017/11/ViVA-for-Vet_Viewer-Images-1024x583.png?height=200&name=ViVA-for-Vet_Viewer-Images-1024x583.png) Cloud PACS | Vets/Equine How Vets Who Use Horos Store, Share, and Report Samantha Winters Read Now](https://www.purview.net/blog/why-vets-love-purview) [![](https://www.purview.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Neuro%20Sm.jpg?height=200&name=Neuro%20Sm.jpg) Medical Imaging | Litigation Four Compelling Reasons To Incorporate Medical Images in Malpractice or Personal Injury Lawsuits Les Trachtman, EE, JD, MBA Read Now](https://www.purview.net/blog/four-reasons-you-should-use-medical-images-in-medical-injury-litigation) ![image1](https://www.purview.net/hs-fs/hubfs/image1.png?width=300&height=40&name=image1.png) #### About Purview [About Us](https://www.purview.net/about) [News](https://www.purview.net/news) #### Solutions [Expert View™](https://www.purview.net/expertview) [Expert View™ Demo](https://www.purview.net/scale-with-second-opinions-demonstration) [Purview Image™](https://www.purview.net/image) [Purview Image™ Demo](https://www.purview.net/image#Five-Min-Demo) #### Resources [Blog](https://www.purview.net/blog) [Events](https://www.purview.net/webinars) [Customer Stories](https://www.purview.net/user-stories) #### Support [Contact Support](https://www.purview.net/contact-us) [Contact Us](https://www.purview.net/contact-us) [Sales](https://www.purview.net/contact-us) [![facebook-purview](https://www.purview.net/hs-fs/hubfs/facebook-purview.png?width=30&height=30&name=facebook-purview.png)](https://www.facebook.com/PurviewImages) [![linkedin-purview](https://www.purview.net/hs-fs/hubfs/linkedin-purview.png?width=26&height=25&name=linkedin-purview.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/purview) © 2026 PURVIEW All Rights Reserved [Privacy Policies](https://www.purview.net/privacypolicy) [Terms of Service](https://www.purview.net/hubfs/Purview%20Terms%20of%20Service.pdf) ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=1516546&fmt=gif)   ### Title Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. 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