We Run It, Then Hand It Over (Build–Operate–Transfer) — from, per year

Overview

You want to own your publishing platform eventually, but you do not have the people or the experience to run it today. Build–Operate–Transfer solves the sequencing problem. NeucitePress builds the platform on Open Journal Systems (OJS), the free, open-source editorial software from the Public Knowledge Project (PKP), operates it for an agreed term of one to three years, and trains your staff as we go. When the term ends, you take over with everything documented, tested and working.

This is for universities, research institutes and societies that intend to run publishing in-house but need a bridge to get there. Optionally, we can operate the editorial office during the term as well, so you receive a functioning journal, not only a functioning server.

What’s Included

• Build — platform architecture, OJS installation, theme, plugins, integrations (DOIs, indexing, preservation), and migration of any existing content
• Operate — hosting, security, upgrades, backups and support for the term, equivalent to our managed hosting
• Optional editorial office — managing editor services, submission handling, reviewer coordination and production scheduling during the term
• Training throughout — a staged training plan so your team takes on more responsibility each year
• Transfer — migration to your infrastructure (or transfer of the managed environment), credentials handover, documented architecture, runbooks and an operations manual
• Transition support — an optional period after transfer during which we remain on call for questions and incidents

How It Works

1. Scoping: we agree the term length, the scope (platform only, or platform plus editorial office), the target state at transfer, and the training plan.
2. Build phase: platform delivered, content migrated, journal live.
3. Operate phase: we run the platform and, if agreed, the editorial office. Your staff shadow, then lead, defined tasks according to the training plan, with progress reviews each year.
4. Transfer: full handover of systems, access and documentation, with a verification checklist signed off by both sides.
5. Transition support: optional on-call period after transfer. Pricing is an annual term fee, plus a one-time transfer fee, plus optional transition support billed for the agreed period.

Platform Independence

The entire model depends on it. OJS is free and open-source software; your domain and DOI prefix are registered to you from day one, and the platform is built so that it can be handed over. You are not locked in during the term either: you can request full data export at any time, and leave any time with everything.

Important Limitations

• Your staffing is essential — the transfer succeeds only if you assign people to be trained. We set minimum participation expectations in the agreement.
• Target infrastructure — if you transfer to your own servers, your IT department must provide an environment that meets OJS requirements before handover.
• Editorial office scope — we manage editorial operations; editorial decisions remain with your editors.
• External fees — Crossref, preservation networks and other third-party charges are separate and passed through at cost.

Common Questions

What if we are not ready at the end of the term?
The term can be extended by agreement, or you can move onto a standard managed hosting plan with no migration needed.

Can we transfer earlier than planned?
Yes. Early transfer is possible once the handover checklist is met; the transfer fee applies as agreed.

Does the platform stay with NeucitePress after transfer?
Only if you choose. Many institutions keep us on a Technical Support Plan for upgrades and security patches while running everything else themselves.

Request a proposal, or begin with the Journal Health Check.