Service‐oriented architectures and recordkeeping

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show that the digital world has introduced new challenges to recordkeeping professionals.Design/methodology/approachThe initial response has been to transfer traditional recordkeeping systems to automated solutions. Increasingly these are being challenged for fit in dynamic organizational environments. Web services as a building‐block for next generation software applications are growing in acceptance both in governments and innovative product offerings.FindingsThe paper outlines the concepts of web services architectures and begins an exploration of the uses that recordkeeping professionals may define for such a potentially radical change to the way recordkeeping functionality is delivered.Originality/valueThe paper challenges recordkeeping professionals to ensure that they are very firmly grounded in best professional practice in recordkeeping to grasp such a technology opportunity.