A Comparison of Some Iranian and Non-Iranian Archival Software: Looking for a Proper Model for Designing a Software for Archival Centres of Iran

The traditional view of archives is changing. One of the issues considered today by archives is enabling users of archival resources to access the information they require in the minimum of time. Therefore choosing software suitable for archival centres is a challenging task for archivists. This research carries out a comparative study of Iranian and non-Iranian archival software.An evident characteristic of Iranian programs which claim to be designed for management of archival resources is that most of them insist and focus on library material. They deal with requirements of archivists to only a very limited extent and don’t meet standards of archival resources management. Therefore it is suggested to either expand the capabilities and features of library programs so that they may be used for the management of archival resources, or to prepare programs specifically designed for management of archival resources, based on existing standards and needs of archival centres, and to provide these centres with such programs. This paper finally suggests some criteria that archival centres in Iran should consider for developing a comprehensive and integrative program in the field of archival resources’ management.