Service Levels for Your Requirements and Budget

The level of storage you require will depend upon the type of records your agency stores, the media you choose, and how often you plan to recall that media. The FRC can store and service a range of types of electronic media for many purposes and can offer your agency expert advice on the best level of storage based on your particular needs.

Electronic Records Vaults (ERVs)

Select FRCs have ERVs, which feature around-the-clock camera security, appropriate temperature and humidity controls, and a nonaqueous fire suppression system. Media in the ERVs are tracked and controlled using bar coding and specialized vault software.

Media in the ERVs can be stored one of two ways:

• Container Storage
  
  Media is stored in the ERV in cases that protect the media from impact and data loss. These media cases are portable and are ideal for tapes and other media that are frequently rotated from the agency to the FRC. They are also lockable and are appropriate for electronic media that should only be accessed by your agency staff.
  
  
• Slotted Storage
  
  Slotted storage shelving units inside the ERV provide extra protection for your electronic media. These storage units ensure proper air circulation around the media; the discrete slotted storage further protects the integrity of tapes and discs; and the baked powder-coated finishes on the shelving exhibit no off-gassing or chemical leaching. In addition, the design of the storage unit facilitates rapid retrieval of individual media. Slotted storage is appropriate for a number of different kinds of media, such as:
  
  • vital records stored on electronic media
    
  • media that must be tracked at the object level
    
  • media that will need to be rapidly and/or frequently recalled to your agency
    
    

Other Options for Storing Electronic Media

All FRCs can store electronic media (in proper media containers) in climate-controlled space within the centers. This level of storage is appropriate for a limited range of electronic records, including e-records that also exist in paper format and electronic records that are backed up on your agency's server or elsewhere. Classified records stored to electronic media can be stored in climate-controlled, classified vaults at several FRCs.