Innovation

OAIS Cloud Ltda, founded in 2020 in Morro da Fumaça, Santa Catarina, Brazil, is a pioneering company specializing in digitizing and preserving physical documents for governments, businesses, and cultural institutions. Led by visionary CEO Roberto Carminici, OAIS Cloud offers a sustainable and innovative solution to the growing challenges of data preservation and environmental sustainability. The company’s services include document digitization, secure cloud storage, workflow automation, and CAD/BIM data preservation, ensuring long-term accessibility and compliance with international standards.

What sets OAIS Cloud apart is its holistic approach to document management. By adhering to the Open Archival Information System (OAIS) framework, it guarantees the usability and reliability of digital archives over extended periods. Furthermore, the company recycles all physical documents after digitization, significantly reducing paper waste and aligning with UN SDG #12 (“Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”). This not only addresses immediate environmental concerns but also sets a benchmark for integrating sustainability into the digital transformation process.

OAIS Cloud’s innovation also contributes to UN SDG #11 (“Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable”). By providing streamlined, secure, and environmentally responsible data management solutions, the company enables governments and organizations to optimize urban planning, governance, and resource allocation. This technology ensures that Brazil—and other nations embracing these solutions—can grow sustainably, meeting the demands of modern cities while preserving essential records for future generations. The company exemplifies how technological innovation, combined with a commitment to sustainability, can create a better world.

Inspiration

Roberto Carminici’s journey into the world of data preservation was shaped by a combination of serendipity, resilience, and a deep passion for making a difference. Initially drawn to Hollywood and the entertainment industry, Roberto’s aspirations shifted when he realized the growing importance of digitalization in preserving cultural and historical content. As he shared, “I wanted to be a storyteller in Hollywood, but I found that preserving stories for generations through data was even more impactful.” This epiphany marked the beginning of his journey with OAIS Cloud, a company that now stands at the forefront of sustainable digital transformation in Brazil.

A pivotal moment in his career was his attendance at an industry event where PIQL’s global CEO spoke about digital data preservation. Roberto explained, “I wasn’t looking for this career—it found me. But when I realized the potential of bringing this technology to Brazil, I knew it was my calling.” His motivation was further fueled by the challenges Brazil faces as a developing nation striving to modernize. As Roberto highlighted, “In Brazil, we have to think about the future. We cannot afford to waste resources or opportunities. Data preservation is not just a business—it’s a responsibility to the generations ahead.”

Roberto also credited his success to his supportive family and mentors who guided him, emphasizing the value of perseverance. “Every failure taught me something important,” he reflected. This mindset, coupled with his passion for sustainable innovation, has made Roberto a leader who not only inspires change but also embodies the values he champions.

Overall impact

OAIS Cloud’s innovative approach to document digitization has had both immediate and lasting effects on sustainability and data management practices in Brazil. In the short term, the company has drastically reduced paper waste by digitizing government archives and recycling the original materials. This not only addresses an urgent environmental need but also enables clients to securely store and access their data with greater efficiency. Evidence of this impact can be seen in the company’s collaborations with governmental institutions, which have reported significant reductions in storage costs and improved document retrieval processes. As Roberto Carminici explained, “Digitization isn’t just about going paperless—it’s about creating a system that is more efficient and environmentally responsible.”

The long-term effects of OAIS Cloud’s innovation extend beyond cost savings and efficiency. By aligning with Brazil’s General Data Protection Law (LGPD) and adhering to international data preservation standards, the company has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable digital transformation. This forward-thinking approach ensures the integrity and accessibility of critical data for future generations. Over time, OAIS Cloud’s work contributes to a broader cultural shift towards sustainability in Brazil, as organizations increasingly adopt eco-conscious practices.

One compelling piece of evidence highlighting the long-term impact is OAIS Cloud’s recognition as a trusted partner by both public and private sectors. For example, their ability to handle sensitive governmental archives while reducing environmental impact demonstrates how innovation can simultaneously address operational and societal challenges, reinforcing the importance of sustainable practices in data preservation.

Business benefit

Because OAIS Cloud introduced its innovative document digitization and preservation solutions, the company has seen substantial growth in revenue and market presence. Established in 2014 in Morro da Fumaça, Santa Catarina, the company initially targeted government contracts to digitize large-scale archives, enabling significant cost savings for clients while creating a new revenue stream for itself. The recycling of digitized documents has further enhanced profitability by reducing material disposal costs. Within just a few years, OAIS Cloud expanded its services to private sectors, including industries requiring specialized data management like CAD/BIM preservation and defense cloud solutions, effectively opening new markets and diversifying its revenue streams.

The business’s growth has also led to increased employment opportunities. By hiring a team of skilled professionals in data management, IT, and workflow automation, OAIS Cloud has contributed to local economic development while emphasizing employee wellbeing. Roberto Carminici’s hands-on leadership style ensures that employees feel valued and supported, fostering a positive work environment. “When employees know they’re part of something meaningful, they’re more committed,” Roberto noted during our discussion. This approach has resulted in high retention rates and a motivated workforce that aligns with the company’s mission of sustainability and innovation.

Additionally, OAIS Cloud’s success has attracted new investment opportunities. The company’s commitment to aligning with global standards and contributing to UN SDGs has made it an attractive option for investors seeking sustainable and impactful ventures. These investments have enabled OAIS Cloud to scale operations, invest in research and development, and strengthen its position as a leader in digital preservation.

In mid-2024, OAIS Cloud reached a significant milestone by being hired to manage the digital storage solutions for the government of the Maldives. This international expansion underscored the company’s reputation for excellence and innovation. At the same time, OAIS Cloud was officially recognized in Brazil as a Strategic Defense Company, further solidifying its role in ensuring the security and sustainability of critical national and international data. These achievements reflect the company’s ongoing impact and its vision of creating a greener, more connected future.

Social and environmental benefit

OAIS Cloud’s innovation in document digitization and preservation provides immense societal and environmental benefits by addressing one of Brazil's critical inefficiencies: the reliance on physical paper storage. Each year, Brazil spends approximately half a billion reais on renting physical spaces to store paper archives. This outdated system not only incurs significant financial costs but also contributes to environmental degradation through excessive paper production and waste. By digitizing these documents and recycling the original paper, OAIS Cloud reduces the need for physical storage, slashing government expenses and significantly minimizing the environmental impact of paper consumption.

The societal benefits of OAIS Cloud’s work are equally profound. By digitizing essential records, the company ensures secure and long-term accessibility to critical information, which supports more efficient governance and urban planning. This aligns with UN SDG #11, as it enhances the resilience and sustainability of cities by fostering smarter, data-driven decision-making. Additionally, the transition to digital archives improves public services, enabling faster retrieval of information and reducing the bureaucratic delays often associated with paper-based systems.

From an environmental perspective, OAIS Cloud’s solutions tackle the overconsumption of resources by promoting sustainable practices. Recycling the vast quantities of paper previously used for storage aligns with UN SDG #12, ensuring sustainable production and consumption patterns. Moreover, by digitizing and securing archives in the cloud, OAIS Cloud reduces the energy and material demands of traditional storage facilities, making it a key player in Brazil’s transition toward a greener, more sustainable future.

Interview

Roberto Carminati, CEO