DiSCS-UK digital supplier advice online

DiSCS-UK is a new online advice service providing guidance and contacts for a host of digital and information technology (IT) companies and services. The DiSCS-UK website, developed by MLA North East and One North East, provides a database of suppliers who have a track record in supporting museums, libraries and archives in developing and delivering digital projects.

Through specialist training many of the organisations listed have gained recognised qualifications, relevant to working with the museums, libraries and archives sector.

The DiSCS website has already proved a success in the North East, where it was launched, amassing a database of 87 companies providing a wide range of services from digital photography to website design.

The service has now been launched across Britain and will enable museums, libraries and archives to:

• seek advice on digital questions and queries, 
• post an invitation to tender or call for expressions of interest, 
• ensure suppliers are fully qualified by viewing their training/accreditation records on-line,
• link directly to a supplier’s email and website,
• nominate commercial suppliers they have worked with to join DiSCS-UK so that others can benefit from their expertise.

Gateshead Central Library used DiSCS-UK to digitise its local history collection in a creative way. Digital technology company SB Squared helped the library create a virtual tram journey along Gateshead High Street, available on-line and on CD Rom, using digitised photographs and maps.

Anthea Lang, local history librarian at Gateshead Central Library, said: “We have gained greater awareness of the skills and expertise available in the private sector as a result of using DiSCS-UK. We were surprised at how cost effective outsourcing elements of digitisation could be and we would definitely use DiSCS again.”

Neil Bowerbank, Head of e-Strategy at MLA North East, added: “DiSCS-UK is equally beneficial to cultural and heritage organisations and digital and IT service suppliers.   It provides cultural and heritage organisations with a list of trained professionals with knowledge and experience in the digital, information technology and communications environment.  For businesses, it opens up a completely new client base, while providing information on upcoming contracts and access to training.”

Cultural and heritage organisations requiring IT or digital services are invited to log on to the DiSCS-UK website to search the database for a suitable service provider.
Companies which provide IT or digital services are invited to join the database by contacting June Parker, Virtual Digitisation Project Manager at MLA North East, on 0191 2697981.