25 November 2025

WABIM 2025 – MKIDN - TASK NO. 1 – INFRASTRUCTURE

Ministry of Culture and National Heritage Program - Support for Polish Archives, Libraries, and Museums Abroad - 2025 Edition

WABIM 2025 – MKIDN - ZADANIE NR 1 – IFRASTRUKTURA

Dear All

Continuing our report on the implementation of the WABIM programme (Department for Culture and National Heritage), we present below the objectives and the state of work on one of the main elements of this year’s project: the implementation of a new IT Infrastructure.

This element is essential for the successful execution of the other parts of this year’s project and for the proper functioning of the institution in general. We hope that this will eventually allow for a virtual consolidation of both headquarters of the Institute and SPP, increasing their productivity and interoperability.

➡︎ OBJECTIVES

The work that began in May 2025 encompassed:

Development of the system concept.
Selection of hardware and software.
Purchase of computer equipment (entirely funded by the Polish Underground Movement Study).
Installation and configuration of the said equipment.
Data migration from the old system.
Development of backup plans.

As a result of the ongoing work, the entire task was successfully completed!

➡︎ COMPUTER EQUIPMENT

Various equipment was installed and configured, including the latest 12-bay (!) NAS server (Synology), a number of client computers (from Dell), as well as network printers and production scanners. The local network cabling was also mapped, and a new network switch was reconfigured.

➡︎ INFRASTRUCTURE

In the PUMST archive, the previously designed system was implemented, configured with a domain controller, and the data structure on the server (so-called “shares”) was implemented with security permissions assigned and different user groups created. We added users (both old and new) to these groups, and now everyone is happy, working diligently an passionately on the next WABIM tasks and more!

When we mention “everyone,” we refer to volunteers, employees, and researchers using our archival collections.

➡︎ DATA MIGRATION AND BACKUPS

It is also worth noting that data migration from the old server to the new one was successfully completed, while simultaneously securing all data and the system by creating fully automated backups; these being stored both on-site at the PUMST premises and off-site. This is indeed a good practice. The world is divided into those who make backups and the rest, who sooner or later will start.

➡︎ WEBSITE WWW.STUDIUM.ORG.UK

During the data migration, we moved our website www.studium.org.uk to a new, much faster hosting service. Full modernisation of the site is, of course, planned. It’s about time! It has been 12 years since its publication in its current form and shape! Let’s keep our fingers crossed!

➡︎ BENEFITS OF THE NEW SYSTEM

Digital archive security is ensured. Fast and easy access to the electronic resources of PUMST is provided. Original documents have been replaced by electronic copies, saved from further deterioration or potential loss! Staff productivity has “shot up.” Remote work is also enabled. We are ready for the next stage.

➡︎ PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

The new system will serve next year as a template for the implementation of similar infrastructure on a much larger scale at the main headquarters of the Institute at 20 Princes Gate.

Work is currently underway to digitise further parts of the archival resources and process them through OCR and indexing in a PDF search engine. More on this in the next episode of our “exciting” report 😊

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