Data Management Handbook Atlantos

The H2020 AtlantOS project aims to optimize and enhance the Integrated Atlantic Ocean Observing System. One goal is to ensure that data from different and diverse in-situ observing Networks are readily accessible and useable to a wider community, including the international ocean science community and other stakeholders in this field. To achieve that, the strategy is to move towards an integrated data system within AtlantOS that harmonizes work flows, data processing and distribution across in-situ observing network systems, and integrates in-situ observations into existing European and international data infrastructures, termed Integrators (e.g. Copernicus INS TAC, SeaDataNet NODCs, EMODnet, EurOBIS, GEOSS). This handbook aims to help the Networks to implement recommendations agreed upon within AtlantOS WP7 to achieve a better integration of their data, and to provide best practices guidelines for both Networks and Integrators for enhanced services to users. First it presents the roadmap for the AtlantOS integrated system and its actors, both Networks and Integrators. Then the elements of (1) standardization across the Networks relying on existing European and international standards and protocols, and of (2) of the data exchange backbone of the AtlantOS system, are described with the guidelines on how to set them up. Finally this handbook describes ways to facilitate data discovery at the Network level and enhancements at the Integrator level for better fit-for-purpose services to users