official statement

A repository is a space to store the code of projects to ensure that it is protected and restored later. Many software developers use repositories such as GitHub to store their code. The benefit of keeping an online repository is that it guarantees that your work will be accessible, even if something happens to your local computer (though we still recommend keeping backups).

Streamlined Workflows

An institutional repository allows universities and other academic institutions to host and display their research outputs in a central location. It collects everything from event abstracts to research reports, journals, student theses and doctoral dissertations into one central site that is accessible by anyone who has access to the internet. It can be an invaluable instrument for institutions seeking to gain more visibility and increase their academic standing, and increase their competitiveness.

A repository online is created to allow institutions to share their research materials with the general public and other interested parties. This material can be accessed for free and in an easily accessible format. It also enables institutions to keep the record of its research as well as its history, while upholding the principles of privacy and the integrity of scholarly research.

In addition being able to provide online access to their work, some repository services can help authors and their collaborators share data in a simple method by using standard information formats and structures designed for nontechnical users. Some repositories offer advanced search tools that enable users to locate files quickly, without having to spend hours searching through folders and opening endless tabs.