What is the OAIS model?

The Open Archival Information System (OAIS) model is the foundational reference framework for digital preservation, standardized as ISO 14721. It describes, conceptually, what an archive must do — and what information it must capture — to preserve digital content over the long term and keep it usable for the people who’ll need it.

What it describes

OAIS frames preservation around a set of functions:

• Ingest — accepting content into the archive.
• Archival storage — storing it safely over time.
• Data management — managing the metadata and descriptions.
• Preservation planning — monitoring technology and planning actions like format migration.
• Administration and access — running the archive and getting content back out to users.

It also describes “information packages” that bundle content with the metadata needed to understand, verify, and preserve it.

It’s a model, not software

OAIS doesn’t tell you which products to buy; it provides the shared vocabulary and concepts that preservation systems implement. Real repositories realize OAIS using standards like PREMIS for preservation metadata and practices like fixity checking and migration. OAIS is also the basis for “trustworthy digital repository” assessments.

Why it matters

OAIS matters because it turns “we’ll keep the files safe” into a structured discipline with defined functions and accountability. Whether you’re running an archive or just evaluating a digital preservation approach, OAIS is the common framework professionals use to talk about doing it properly. See the vital records, archives and preservation hub for more.