1. Outsourcing to Third Parties Alastair Dunning Arts and Humanities Data Service

2. Outsourcing Preservation An easy solution? –Smaller initial costs –Less management and technical expertise required Still requires technical knowledge to liase with the third party Lack of viable possibilities at present

3. What data repositories (should) offer Large, secure data storage system Technical expertise in handling data Physically secure space Regular communication with clients Search and retrieval facilities

4. Ask the questions who would ask yourself Importance of trusting chosen data repository –Adequate data migration, refreshment –Where is there data stored? –Do they use reliable hardware? –What is their file naming strategy? –Do they out-source their work? What do others say about these repositories?

5. Access and Costs Access –Does repository allow good access to your material? –Are there facilities for making it publicly available? –Do they offer cataloguing facilities? Costs –As with all other aspects, compare costs between competitors –Basic price approx. £1000 / year, but can rise much higher

6. Licensing and Quality Control Licensing –Do you have permission to deposit with third party? –Does repository have right to alter files for preservation? Quality control –Can you assist ingest procedures? –Can you monitor status of your data?

7. Explore hybrid solutions Data repositories can be willing to discussing shared solutions –Short-term archiving until in-house solution is ready –Depositing only larger files from resource –Secure back-up only –Repositories may be able to take on web hosting capabilities Trials may be available