Digital Assets Discussion Group: Learning About Digital Assets - Management - Storage

Selection Digital Reformatting Born Digital-Assets Creation Management Description Storage Access Preservation

The maintenance, access, and preservation of digital assets must center around a specified location. In order for search and discovery to lead to access, management of digital assets is fundamental. Essential to management is storage. Being able to retain digital assets in one location and to ensure authenticity and integrity is fundamental to an Open Archival Information System (OAIS) modeled repository.

The Digital Assets Management System (DAMS) will accommodate storage in multiple ways. Levels of preservation and security can be provided depending on the arrangements made. Additionally, levels of access can be accommodated through IT system authorizations, permissions, and metadata elements.

Storage of digital assets can be expensive and management can be time consuming and labor intensive. A well organized and maintained system of communication between the digital assets managers at DAMS with the depositing organization can alleviate resources for greater digital content production. The process by which a relationship with DAMS’ repository takes place is modeled in the OAIS ISO standard. It involves the creation of a service level agreement between the depositing organization and DAMS before any digital objects are transferred to the repository. This agreement outlines the numerous details regarding metadata, access, and preservation. The continuing relationship between DAMS and the depositing organization will also be outlined in the service level agreement and will usually involve plans for periodic review of the digital assets, their preservation needs, and any changes in the service level agreement.