docuteam box encloses the digital repository and is therefore the centerpiece of a system for digital preservation and long-term archiving. docuteam box serves as an application for managing the repository and the archived data as well as a central machine interface (API).
Oxford Common File Layout (OCFL)
The archived primary data and metadata are stored in accordance with the OCFL standard. OCFL was developed specifically for the purpose of digital preservation.
Overview in the cockpit
The cockpit provides graphical and tabular summaries of the repository’s content. You can use filters to dynamically customize the display and scope of the content shown.
Detail view
A detail view shows the metadata for each object stored in the repository.
Download
The objects themselves and information about the objects can be downloaded directly in different versions.
The following options are available for download
- a DIP (Dissemination Information Package; files and metadata)
- the descriptive metadata as EAD (Encoded Archival Description)
- the technical administrative metadata as PREMIS (Preservation Metadata: Implementation Strategies)
- the file(s)
- the entire metadata as Matterhorn METS
Edit metadata
Descriptive metadata can be changed, added or deleted. The changed data is saved as a new version.
Simple search
The simple search gives you a quick overview of the repository content and allows you to filter according to certain criteria.
Complex searches with SPARQL
Using the SPARQL query language, you can search through all the metadata in your repository and extract exactly the data you need. Such search queries can be saved with a name so that they can be executed whenever require.
API
docuteam box has an interface via which the functionalities can be made accessible to authorized external systems:
- Retrieval of original files
- Retrieval of previews, usage copies and file derivatives
- Delivery of Submission Information Packages
- Replacement of content
- Deletion of content
- Retrieval of metadata
- Retrieval of repository metrics
- Retrieval of Dissemination Information Package
- Basic Search
- SPARQL search
API keys
You can manage API keys for external systems with different authorizations via the user interface.
Webhooks
Configurable webhooks can be used to communicate processes in the repository to peripheral systems. Event data about changes to data in docuteam box – storage, replacement, metadata mutations – are sent to external systems.
Fedora Commons
The repository software used is Fedora Commons, which is supported by a broad international user base. docuteam is involved in the development of Fedora Commons.
Versioning and data integrity
For traceability purposes, changes to both the archived files and the metadata result in a new version of the data concerned. Checksums are an integral part of the metadata and provide information on data integrity during a check.
Metadata standards
Matterhorn RDF is used as the data and metadata model for Archival Information Packages (AIP). Matterhorn RDF is mainly based on the following standards:
- RiC-O
Records in Contexts, ontology for structural and descriptive metadata - PREMIS
Preservation Metadata: Implementation Strategies, ontology for technical and administrative metadata
Oxford Common File Layout (OCFL)
The archived primary and metadata are stored in accordance with the OCFL standard. OCFL is the gold standard when it comes to permanent storage and is characterized by the following advantages:
- Completeness
A repository can be completely restored from the files stored in an OCFL storage area. No database content or other external data is required for this. - Readability
The metadata can be read by both humans and machines, even if the original software is no longer available. - Robustness
The standard contains mechanisms to protect against data loss due to errors and data corruption and for error-free migration to other storage technologies. - Versioning
Changes to objects are documented by means of versioning. - Technological independence
OCFL is not tied to a specific storage infrastructure.
Good to know
FAQ
We are always available to answer your questions and discuss your specific concerns and needs.
These are terms and concepts from the ‘Open Archival Information System’ (OAIS, ISO 14721) reference model, which docuteam box is also based on.
The exit strategy is an integral part of the solution, as the necessary components and mechanisms are built in. Keywords for this are: Metadata standards, licensing, storage standard (OCFL), completeness of data in the repository storage area, human and machine readability of metadata, integrity assurance mechanisms and independence from storage technologies.
This is precisely why the SPARQL search is available, which allows complex and customised queries.
This is no problem at all. The SPARQL search is available if required but does not necessarily have to be used. If you need it, these SPARQL searches can be saved and called up again when required. Such queries are often set up in the initial project when setting up the digital long-term archive.
Data preparation and preparation for storage in the repository is the task of the application docuteam feeder, which communicates with docuteam box.
Such derivatives can be saved as regular objects in the digital long-term archive or generated on the fly when they are called up.
docuteam box is constantly being developed and new functionalities are being added all the time. The roadmap can be found here: https://docs.docuteam.ch/roadmap/