UNECE Training Workshop on Dissemination of MDG Indicators and Statistical Information

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The Importance of Databasesin the Dissemination
Process The UNECE Approach

• UNECE Training Workshop on Dissemination ofMDG
  Indicators and Statistical Information
• Astana, Kazakhstan 23 25 November 2009
• Steven Vale, UNECE

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Contents

• UNECE system overview
• Introduction to data cubes
• Input systems
• Data processing
• Dissemination systems

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What is a Data Cube?

• A multi-dimensional structure containing data
  points that represent unique combinations of
  several classifications
• A flexible way of storing and disseminating data

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Two-dimensional Cube
  Year
Country 2000 2001 2002 2003
AAA 123 456 124 567 125 678 126 789
BBB 987 654 988 654 989 654 999 654
CCC 35 789 36 789 37 789 38 789
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Three-dimensional Cube
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More dimensions are possible,but not easy to
display!
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Why Data Cubes are Important

• Many statistical data management models and
  systems are based on cubes
• Users can select just those data that are of
  interest
• Cubes can easily be expanded, e.g. for extra
  years, countries, or other categories
• At least in theory, cubes can have an infinite
  number of dimensions

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Input Systems

• Functionality needed
• Bulk input of large data files
• Automatic data collection routines
• Data format conversion
• Metadata capture and translation
• Manual entry of data values
• Link to electronic questionnaires
• Data validation

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UNECE Approach

• Automatic data collection each night from some
  important sources
• File transfers in standard formats for other bulk
  updates
• Questionnaires for some types of data
• Automatic updates under development
• Manual input / editing interface

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Data Processing

• Functionality needed
• Data validation
• Imputation of missing values
• Calculation of derived variables
• Calculation of regional aggregates, e.g. for CIS
  countries
• Definition of data outputs

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UNECE Approach

• Create a super cube containing all data
• Use applications developed ourselves for
  validation, imputation and calculation
• High level programming language allows
  statisticians to develop and manage their own
  calculation routines
• Smaller output cubes are defined using metadata,
  and updated every night

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Dissemination Systems

• Functionality needed
• Internet enabled
• Easy access to key data
• User-friendly interface
• Multiple languages
• Possibility to manipulate and download data

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Why UNECE adopted PC-Axis

• Lack of resources for system development
• PC-Axis advantages
• Rich in features
• User-friendly
• Flexible structure
• Strong support network of users over 40 other
  statistical organizations

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Europe Licenses (68) Basque (5)
Croatia Denmark (9)
Estonia Faroe Islands
Finland (15) Åland
Greece Greenland
Iceland Ireland (2)
Latvia Lithuania
Macedonia F.Y.R. Norway
Slovakia Slovenia (2)
Spain (3) Ukraine, Lviv UNECE
Sweden (18)
PC-Axis Around the World
Americas Licenses (3) Brasil Bolivia
Guatemala Prospects Canada Guyana ArgentinaEl
Salvador Costa Rica IMF Bahamas UNSD
US Dep.Agric. Ecuador
CountrySTAT in Projects (2006-2007)
(2008-2009) Bhutan Ethiopia Haiti Iraq Malawi
Mali Mozambique Palestine O.T. Philippines
Sudan Tanzania
Angola Benin Burkina Faso Cameroon Ethiopia
Ghana Ivory Coast Kenya Malawi Mali
Mozambique Nigeria Rwanda Senegal Tanzania
Uganda Zambia
Africa Licenses (14) AlgeriaMocambiqueNami
biaSouth AfricaTanzaniaUgandaEast Africa
Commission West Africa (ECOWAS) UEMOAS (FAO)
KenyaSenegal(FAO) Mali(FAO)
Togo(FAO)Cap Verde
Asia and Pacific Licenses (5) Philippines (2)
Taiwan(R.O.C.) Bhutan(FAO) Iraq(FAO)New
Zealand ProspectsHong Kong Tadjikistan
Prospects UK ONS
Cyprus Moldova Montenegro
North Ireland Romania
Serbia Kirgizistan (FAO) Ukraine
Albania Switzerland
UK Dep. Workpens. FAO Forest Stat.
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What We Have Added

• Metadata input application
• Data cube management application
• Time Series Computation Language
• PX-Web update server
• Russian interface

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Metadata Input Application
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Open-source Components
Visual HTML Designer Spell checker
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The User Interface

• Uses PX-Web a component of thePC-Axis software
  suite produced by Statistics Sweden
• Currently being upgraded to latest version
• English and Russian interfaces
• Tree structure to help users find data
• Possibility to manipulate data and download in
  several formats

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Plans for the Future

• Develop End-to-End UNECE applications
• Data import
• Validation
• Processing
• Calculation
• Imputation
• Dissemination
• Develop online analytical tool

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New UNECE Database System

• Under construction
• Calculations and Supercube implemented
• Expected to be fully operational end 2010

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Technical Assistance

• UNECE is happy to share software / experience
• Russian speaking database coordinator
• Technical assistance missions 2008/09
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Tajikistan

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• Questions?