Growing Capacity and Commercial Revenue in Digital Preservation

This initiative will increase commercial income and position the University of York as the home of the number-one digital archive for heritage data.

The ADS is an internationally renowned digital repository that specialises in the preservation, dissemination, and management of invaluable heritage data. It is a key research hub, having provided impact case studies for two previous REFs, and a significant commercial income generator.

A substantial portion of income generated stems from archives deposited with the ADS for long-term preservation by the commercial archaeology sector. As the sole accredited digital archive service in England for heritage data, the ADS plays a pivotal role in the UK archaeology sector.

The sector is currently undergoing a significant step-change in its approach to digital archiving, which offers the ADS a timely and significant opportunity for income growth. 

The PACE funded project aims to leverage this opportunity to enhance the ADS's business potential and ensure long-term sustainability through three strategic initiatives:

• Market Analysis & Cost Modelling. Market research will examine the ADS's existing client network before extending to new heritage markets to better understand user needs and identify barriers to deposit. Cost models will also be explored to improve financial efficiency for both ADS and its clients. 
• Relationship Development. This initiative will focus on nurturing ADS’s relationships with key stakeholders, encouraging repeat depositors and expanding the ADS’s existing client base.
• Improving Client Services. This will involve increasing the ADS’s in-house archiving capacity by training a new digital archivist and developing new training programmes and tools to enhance the ADS data depositor experience.