Archiving as a service: a model for the provision of shared archiving services using cloud computing

In this paper, we define some of the characteristics of archiving in a cloud computing environment. Based on these, we describe a model for a cloud archiving system using concepts and information types from the OAIS reference model. The proposed model allows the sharing of functionality and information objects by making these available as services to above layers. The model covers the entire document lifecycle, making archive functionality such as preservation planning possible at an early stage in the document lifecycle, helping to simplify records transfer. Finally, we use our model in a case study, using the records transfer process from Japanese government agencies to the National Archives of Japan as an example.