Archival Integrated Management System (AIMS)
Find out about the AIMS project to launch a new collections management system for Archives kaimahi and the public and learn what Te Tari Taiwhenua is doing to improve the system.
On 10 February 2022, Archives launched a new online collections management system for Archives kaimahi and customers.
This concluded the four-year-long AIMS project, which combined the data from four online systems: Archway, ALF, CV and Preservation database.
Issues with Collections since its launch
Te Tari Taiwhenua is aware there have been performance issues with Collections staff and public since the systems went live. We want to acknowledge the impact this has had on Archives kaimahi and customers, and the frustrations you have experienced. Your concerns are being heard.
An Incident Management Team (IMT) consisting of Archives NZ and Te Tari Taiwhenua leadership investigated the issues and resolve them as a matter of priority. This work is now being continued through a Transition Team. Feedback from Archives kaimahi has helped identify areas that need improving to ensure a fully functioning and positive customer experience as the systems are rectified.
Based on feedback from Archives kaimahi and customers, Te Tari Taiwhenua leadership decided to continue to build on the new collections system with the current provider, Axiell. Our contract with Axiell includes maintaining and continually improving the system. We are working with Axiell to make improvements.
Why we needed a new system
Archway was 15 years old when it was taken down and had reached the end of its life. The technology it relied on could no longer be maintained, supported, or improved. This was a major risk to the security of our data.
Many customers have asked if we can reinstate Archway while we improve Collections search. This isn’t possible, as Archway hasn't been updated since we launched Collections search – the data it holds is now nearly 6 months out of date.
The AIMS project
The project team worked across different time zones, with a supplier, Axiell, based in Australia, Sweden, the Netherlands and the UK. More than 20 Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from Archives NZ were involved in designing and testing the new system.