Open Archival Information System - The Reference Model

The Reference Model

The reference model:

• provides a framework for the understanding and increased awareness of archival concepts needed for long term digital information preservation and access.
• provides the concepts needed by non-archival organizations to be effective participants in the preservation process.
• provides a framework, including terminology and concepts, for describing and comparing architectures and operations of existing and future archives.
• provides a framework for describing and comparing different long term preservation strategies and techniques.
• provides a basis for comparing the data models of digital information preserved by Archives and for discussing how data models and the underlying information may change over time.
• provides a foundation that may be expanded by other efforts to cover long-term preservation of information that is not in digital form (e.g., physical media and physical samples).
• expands consensus on the elements and processes for long-term digital information preservation and access, and promotes a larger market which vendors can support.
• guides the identification and production of OAIS-related standards.