comprehensive digital content system capable of managing all known Federal Government documents within the scope of GPO's Federal Depository Library Program and other information dissemination programs. GPO's Federal Digital System (FDsys) is an integrated content management system which incorporates state-of-the-art technology for document authentication and digital preservation. FDsys supports GPO's transformation from a print-based environment to a content-based environment, in which digital content is created, submitted, preserved, authenticated, managed, and delivered upon request. The design of FDsys is based on the Reference Model for an Open Archival Information System (OAIS) (ISO 14721:2003), which describes a generalized structure for storing, preserving, and providing access to digital content over time.
FDsys will automate content life-cycle processes and make it easier to deliver digital content in formats suited to customers' needs. FDsys will allow Federal content creators to submit content for preservation, authentication, and delivery to users. Content entered into the system will be cataloged according to GPO and library standards, and will be available on the World Wide Web for searching and viewing, downloading and printing, as document masters for conventional and on-demand printing, or by other dissemination methods. Content may include text and associated graphics, video, audio, and other forms that emerge.
FDsys capabilities will be deployed in a series of releases. An internal proof-of-concept release of FDsys was completed in September 2007 to support the last stage of testing. FDsys is scheduled to become available to agencies and the public in early 2009, beginning a process of incremental releases. Each release will add functionality to the previous one. The first public release will provide FDsys core capabilities, including such foundational elements as system infrastructure and security, and a digital repository that conforms to the OAIS reference model and enables the management of content and metadata. This release will replace the familiar Wide Area Information Server (WAIS)-based GPO Access, in use since 1994, with enhanced search and retrieval functionality.
For a comprehensive discussion of system capabilities by release, see the FDsys documentation at http://www.gpo.gov/projects/fdsys_documents.htm.
