Since 1996, Disclosure has provided the SEC with limited microfiche archives migrating towards CD-ROM and online storage. Throughout its history, Disclosure has used various archival formats, which vary depending upon the age of the document. The process is to migrate from microfiche to TIFF, and from CD-ROM to online. Microfiche and paper were the only mediums used. At a later date, this historical microfiche will be converted to TIFF format, rendering it readable and available via the Web.
Plans are to continue to do so into the foreseeable future.
There have been no technology problems in reading the document CD-ROMs from inception to date. By August 1998 all 500 SEC form types will be accessible via Global Access. Amidst an environment of changing technology and its attendant challenges for data migration, Disclosure remains committed to maintaining archival records of their holdings. At present, it appears that only academic institutions are interested in historical information, and, for obvious reasons, if there is not a sufficient marketplace, the information cannot be produced. Consistency of data collection is another important issue.