Jisc has set up a dynamic purchasing system (DPS) framework for higher education institutions to take up digital preservation systems.
The membership organisation for edtech services in the sector said the DPS will enable its members to procure relevant tools more quickly, obtain savings and reduce risk through the compliance process for suppliers.
It said institutions generate, consume, and store large amounts of digital information. To ensure the long term sustainability and access to such data and information, they make use of digital preservation solutions to keep the data both safe and usable.
The DPS will initially run for three years with the options for two one-year extensions. Among the companies included are Arkivum, Artefactual Systems, Docbyte, Libnova, Preservica, and Sword Ping Network Solutions.
Daunting prospect
Neil Grindley, director of content and discovery at Jisc, said: “Choosing an organisational solution for the long term management of digital assets can be a daunting prospect, particularly for an individual or a small team. The digital preservation DPS will help institutions to more efficiently procure systems that are compliant and fit-for-purpose.”
Simon Bains, head of library services at the University of Aberdeen, said: “Aberdeen is developing a digital preservation strategy as part of an ambitious programme of improvement to all aspects of our information governance and records management.
“Defining our needs and a viable solution is complicated and potentially very expensive, so I really welcome the news that Jisc is providing a dynamic purchasing system for digital preservation systems.”
