Cloud computing for Cataloguing and valorization of the Cultural Heritage. Experimentation of the LiveBase platform for the fast development of cataloguing

In Italy, the Central Institute for Cataloguing and Documentation (ICCD) rules the cataloguing of the rich and articulated Italian Cultural Heritage through a complex system of shared methodology and formats. ICCD established different catalogue datasheets for each typology of Cultural Good, providing also detailed instructions to fill them. However, the computer assisted process necessary to the management of these complex datasheets (in some cases up to nearly 500 fields) is inadequate. TekneHub carried out a survey at Italian Museums and Superintendencies to analyse problems and needs through all the steps of the cataloging activity, thus drawing a precise picture of the issues to be addressed. Fhoster, an Italian hi-tech startup specialized in model-driven Application Platform as a Service (APaaS), offered its flagship platform, called Livebase, to support the research. Livebase is a cloud-computing service integrating an environment to quickly design custom applications and a hosting environment to immediately deploy such applications. Livebase can be accessed and used by authenticated users via a simple web browser. The unique model-driven approach of the Livebase platform allowed Fhoster and TekneHub to quickly test many alternative designs to match the ICCD datasheet chosen as a test (Naturalistic Palaeontological Goods - form BNP 3.01), and to implement specific functions to facilitate the cataloguing activity. As a test bed, the Geological Museum “Capellini” offered all the paper entry catalogue of its collection of fossil fish from the Middle Eocene of Bolca (Vicenza, Italy). The application interface has been shaped taking into account consistency and intuitiveness. In conclusion, the application created on the Livebase platform strongly improves the efficiency of the cataloguing activity and, at the same time, allows a quick and effective query of the catalogue through basic and advanced filters still compliant with the complex Italian cataloguing standards.