Persistent Identifiers: Cornerstone in a Web Oriented Scientific Environment

SurfShare is a national programme in the Netherlands which strives to create better access to high-grade (scientific) knowledge, at lower costs than is currently the case. This is feasible, as ICT not only accelerates the traditional communication processes, but also changes the nature of the knowledge chain. Traditional publications, instruments (models, algorithms, visualisations) and research data are increasingly interwoven due to the increased possibilities of knowledge sharing and dissemination. All the major scientific organisations in the Netherlands are cooperating to establish a joint infrastructure that advances the accessibility as well as the exchange of scientific information. In a web oriented infrastructure it is crucial that scientific publications and research data can be identified in a uniform and persistent way. Persistent Identifiers form an important component in the Netherlands joint infrastructure. This paper will address the organizational challenges and technical choices which are being made in the Netherlands and will focus on best practices and pragmatic solutions.