Purpose The purpose of this research is to assess the Open Archival Information System (OAIS) model from the perspective of small organisations and to offer a tentative methodology for the provision of a standard framework to serve the movement and preservation of digital materials and associated metadata between organisations, maintaining OAIS compliance throughout. Design/methodology/approach Structured analysis of the INGEST function, moving through three scenario‐based transfers of digital materials, using Lavoie's economic models for digital preservation to demonstrate the relevance of the function and sub‐functions. Findings Provides a conceptual example of how the OAIS model can be used in a multiple transfer context, working through three scenarios for one function of the standard. Describes how the research will be carried forward to complete the analytical framework and test with a real digital deposit. Practical implications Provides a means by which small organisations can begin to consider the preservation of their digital assets and assess their position in relation to the OAIS model. Originality/value This paper addresses the difficulties of practical implementation of the OAIS model and suggests a way forward for achieving seamless transfer of digital records that can be used by both small donor organisations and larger receiving institutions.