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Company: MLA North East
Project: Digital Services for the Cultural Sector

Dates: Apr 2007 to Mar 2008

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How did the project start?

The DiSCS service is an online knowledge and supplier directory (www.DiSCS-UK.info) which was launched at the end of March 2006 in the north east with the aim of providing a database of commercial providers of digital media services and a supplier selection toolkit to assist the heritage sector in working with external partners. Its purpose was to enable the heritage sector to engage with commercial suppliers to access digital media services and provide the opportunity to get better value for money.

In April 2007 additional funding was obtained from One NorthEast to make the service into a national service supporting cultural and heritage organisations throughout the UK in working with creative industry suppliers.

What options did you consider?

Advancements in technology are creating new and exciting opportunities for cultural and heritage organisations. Websites can be more interactive, enabling better engagement with new and existing audiences. Portable technologies such as MP3 players and mobile phones are providing new routes for users to access services. Wireless Internet is being used by more and more people. eCommerce has become more affordable to set up, and user confidence in purchasing online is increasing.

But with so many opportunities open to the cultural are heritage sector, how do you decide which technologies to invest your time and money into?

Which technologies are being used by the audiences that you want to attract?

How do you keep up with changing user demands and expectations?

How do you decide what to do in-house and what to outsource?

DiSCS helps organisations within the culture and heritage sector to answer these and many other questions. DiSCS provides a robust online community that supports museums, libraries, archives and cultural institutions in the creation and enhancement of digital services by providing access to peer support, expert advice, practical tools and competent commercial digital media organisations that have received specialist training which addresses certain needs of the heritage sector.

What help and expertise did you receive?

We are extremely grateful to One NorthEast for the support they provided along with the north east creative industries we have worked with in delivering this project.

Did you face any challenges or learn any lessons?

Contacting every museum, library and archive throughout England was a massive challenge but one which was achieved with the aid of our regional heritage counter parts and the national heritage organisations.

What are the outcomes and how has it improved your business?

There are currently 117 creative industry suppliers listed on the directory. National buy-in has been achieved from all 9 English regions as well as Scotland and Wales.

Value of tenders through www.DiSCS-UK.info or where MLA North East have been notified of selection from supplier database Apr07-Feb08 (where budgets given) is currently £253,500.

What are your plans for the future?

The service is in the process of being handed over to a nationally renowned heritage organisation to continue this excellent web resource and to improve its offerings to the needs of all of its users.