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After the flood

13 May 2009

Monash University, together with the CSIRO and the Australian National University, has established a new $20 million service that will better manage the data "deluge" generated by years of research and advances in technology.

The Australian National Data Service (ANDS) offers a suite of services to assist researchers to identify, locate, access, analyse and share research data.

ANDS Steering Committee chair Dr Ron Sandland said ANDS would encourage a culture of sharing and re-use of Australian research data.

"Work that may once have been restricted to a small group of colleagues can now be made available to peers from around the world. ANDS will allow Australian researchers to contribute to first-class international research," Dr Sandland said.

ANDS Executive Director Dr Ross Wilkinson said it was estimated the next five years would produce more research data than had been produced in all of previous human history.

"Almost all data is now born digital so the capacity to process, transform and transfer information will continue to expand," Dr Wilkinson said.

"This presents a challenge for researchers trying to manage and store their work so they can be sure it will be able to be used in the future.

"Although the storage and retention of research data will remain the role of research institutions and government agencies, ANDS will assist institutions and research groups better manage and realise the full potential of their research data assets."

ANDS is funded by the Federal Government's National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).

More information on ANDS can be found at the ANDS website.