OAIS (Open Archival Information System) is a reference model for creation of a digital repository, ISO 14721:2024. It is often referred to as the main standard of digital preservation. It is mainly a framework giving guidelines to institutions on how to build a digital repository, but not a certification per se. Institutions can certify themselves as a “Trustworthy Digital Repository” under the ISO 16363 certification.

The Piql Services and our processes have been designed to match the OAIS entities and be compliant with institutions working after this reference model.

The core concepts of the OAIS framework are:

• Information packages: These are constructs that bundle digital content with associated metadata necessary for preservation and access. The OAIS model identifies three types of information packages: Submission Information Packages (SIP), Archival Information Packages (AIP) and Dissemination Information Packages (DIP).
• Functional Entities: The model outlines six primary functions that an archive should perform:
  • Ingest: Processes for receiving and preparing information for storage.
  • Archival Storage: Services and functions for the storage, maintenance, and retrieval of AIPs.
  • Data Management: Maintaining databases that support the archive's operations.
  • Administration: Overseeing the day-to-day operations and setting policies.
  • Preservation Planning: Ensuring that information remains accessible and understandable over time.
  • Access: Providing consumers with the means to locate and obtain information.

The OAIS model can be visualized like this:

To learn more about the core concepts and terminology of the OAIS model, click here for our own glossary article: Digital preservation glossary

piqlFilm as an archival information package (AIP)

One of the strongest differentiator of Piql is the self-contained information package piqlFilm. The piqlFilm contain

• File(s) +
• (Source code, semantic document, file format(s) specification) +
• Metadata (PDI1)

Piql writes the Archival Information Package (AIP) onto the piqlFilm and preserves the information ensuring its understanding and accessibility any time in the future, regardless of evolving technologies. Piql can also provide “Comprehensive Preservation” , if the data owner wants to preserve proprietary or unsustainable file formats. To ensure maximum readability and integrity, piqlFilm can also preserve a visual representation of the file content.

INGEST Piql receives information from the data owners and prepares it for storage using the software platform piqlConnect. The preparation contain several preservation actions, including:

• Virus checking
• File format identification
• Validation