1. System Overview
2. Fit within SNZ Statistical Environment
3. Standards Used
4. Technical Environment
5. Cost of Providing System
6. SNZ Contact Details

The Classifications and Related Standards (CARS) system has been developed as the Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) official central repository for all classifications, concordances and codefiles for all classes of official statistics used by data collections within SNZ. CARS is the repository for:

• historical classifications, codefiles and concordances, and information relating to them, which have been previously used within SNZ;
• all economic, social and geographic standard classifications;
• survey specific classifications;
• all classification categories used for coding survey data at the input stage, and their descriptors and labels used in the presentation of output data in tabular form.

The development of a classifications system was an integral part of the IT strategy within SNZ as it would enable the 'use of database technology to maintain standard classifications, data definitions and data validation specifications for application in the development of new surveys.' It was also seen that a classification system would ' help reduce the time and resource taken to operate surveys and improve data quality by use of computerised data documentation (metadata) to support the application of standard data item definitions and classifications.'

Currently, CARS is available to all SNZ staff throughout New Zealand with over 95 staff able to edit the database on-line and nearly 300 staff trained in how to use the system.

• Provide centralised classification storage, maintenance and access facilities for all classification data used both in the development and processing of surveys, and in the subsequent analysis and evaluation of the data.
• Help reduce the time and resource taken to develop surveys and contribute to improved data quality by the use of computerised data documentation (metadata) to support the application of standard data item definitions and classifications.
• Facilitate the comparison and analysis of data by storing concordances.
• Facilitate survey processing by storing code, descriptors and synonyms for developing and maintaining standard codefiles.

CARS is the official central repository for all the classifications, concordances and codefiles for all classes of official statistics used by data collections within SNZ. All existing surveys and data processing systems use CARS for all their classification requirements. CARS provides standard procedures for accessing and maintaining all classifications, concordances and codefiles. It also contains all the valid labels for output data and includes access routines for using those labels.

• Provides a common storage facility making it easier to find and access classifications, concordances and codefiles thus eliminating the need to provide separate storage and updating facilities for classification data within each departmental survey system.
• Provides common procedures for browsing, updating and accessing classifications and concordances in CARS which reduces the time and resource required to operate surveys, and eliminates the need to provide these facilities separately in departmental survey systems.
• Facilitates the use of standard classifications in surveys by removing the ability of surveys to utilise their own variations of classifications and by increasing the use of standard classifications to ensure closer integration of data from various surveys.
• Integrates with all survey systems.
• Provides time-series links for classifications through the use of concordances
• It operates in a client-server environment using Windows 95/NT and Sybase relational database technology.
• A security system that allows differing levels of authorisation allocated to levels of competency and applicability for users while providing the facility to securely store confidential classification data.
• An audit trail that keeps track of all changes made, including when they were made, by whom and for what reason.
• On-line updating and editing as well as batch loading.
• A reports module which allows the printing to hardcopy or file of all classifications, concordances and coding indexes to publication ready standard, plus an administration report facility to monitor activity.
• Has a centralised computer assisted coding facility available for all classifications and concordances stored in CARS using standard codefiles for use in all surveys.
• Allows for searching of classifications and classifications codes and categories.

As the centralised classification repository, all survey systems are integrated or linked to CARS. This includes the Census of Population and Dwellings, Migration, Overseas Trade and the Business Frames. Information on classification background text and classification categories from CARS are accessible through the Internet on the SNZ website. Survey system applications can directly access CARS through standardised access routines.

CARS currently contains an ever increasing number of classifications and versions of classifications. Classifications are each assigned an approval status to identify their 'importance' within the SNZ structure. The approval statuses are:

New Zealand Standard
These cover the most important classifications, for example occupation, industry, geographic and harmonised system, which are used nationally in the production of official statistics by any organisation.

Interim Standard
These are virtually the same as New Zealand Standard except they are used exclusively within Statistics New Zealand.

Non-Standard
These are variations of the previous two categories.

Independent
These are survey specific and in some instances historic.

International
These are classifications produced by the UN, ILO, ISO, other international statistical agencies and overseas national statistical agencies e.g. ABS.

All classifications are owned by user groups which gives members of those groups 'write' access to the classifications. All other users only have 'read' access. Consequently surveys can currently maintain their own classifications although Classifications and Standards section is slowly taking responsibility for those classifications which are not New Zealand Standard or Interim Standard. However all classifications are defined in CARS for all users by the Supervisor group (which is a Classifications and Standards Section group).

All SNZ personnel can access CARS and an access structure has been set up according to the level of use desired.

Browser
A CARS Browser is any SNZ staff member who is able to log onto CARS on-line system and/or is able to access the CARS database directly, and who is not a member of any CARS User Groups: -

Owner User Group
The classifications and associated metadata in CARS are owned by owner user groups which are an individual or a group of individuals such as a section, a grouping of sections or other organisational unit within SNZ. An owner user group is responsible for maintaining the classifications and concordances it owns.

Reader User Group
Virtually all released data in CARS can be read by anyone with access to CARS regardless of whether or not they belong to any user group. However, there are confidential classifications in CARS which have a read restriction and are assigned to a reader user group. A classification which has a read restriction assigned to it can only be seen by members of that group and the owner user group (normally this will be one and the same group).

Supervisor User Group
The administration and management of the CARS system is under the control of the Supervisor User Group. The head user of this user group is the CARS Administrator - a member of the Classifications and Standards Section - who has overall responsibility for the CARS system. The Supervisor User Group administers CARS on behalf of C&S, the owners of the CARS system.

The roles of the Supervisor User Group are:

• define classifications in CARS, and where required may load and verify these or assist users to do this. Associated concordances may be defined, loaded and verified for users although this is a function for any user.
• create new subjects, topics, units of measure and user groups, adding new users to the CARS system.
• define, generate and co-ordinate the creation and maintenance of all codefiles (this is an exclusive function for the Supervisor group); develop, maintain and promote the use of standard coding tools; co-ordinate and administer codefile updating through standard procedures in consultation with client.
• generate SAS formats.
• administer the CARS Help desk assigning inquiries within C&S or to the CARS AD support, and providing assistance in the use of CARS.
• provide training.
• administer the CARS system through regular auditing and monitoring.
• assist the Manager, C&S in the promotion of CARS internally

CARS is a client/server based system with a Sybase database server and a client component written in SQL Windows/Centura.

CARS provides a Windows GUI client application, Sybase Views and Stored Procedures to access data. Data is stored in Sybase tables in a predefined database, along with indexes, stored procedures and other components that allow users to read and update the table contents. Views and stored procedures in CARS incorporate security checks so that a user will only be able to read classification data they are entitled to see.

Client hardware: Recommend Pentium 200 or higher.

Server hardware: Sybase server depending on size of database and number of concurrent users required.

• Management of the Implementation Project
• Permanent rights to use the system within the Agency
• On-site pre-installation evaluation
• Installation of the system into the Agency's test and production computing environments
• System and User documentation and training material
• Support and follow-up for 12 months post installation.

• Disbursements - charged at cost
Hardware purchases
Freighting of equipment and materials
Travel and related expenses
• System Customisation - full cost recovery charges apply
• Support beyond 12 months - full cost recovery charges apply.
• Software Licences
• For CARS the following software licenses will be required:
• SYBASE - the relational database software
Centura - the online graphical user interface software.

Note: As these costs are commercial arrangements and non trivial, the purchase of these software licences will be left to the purchaser to negotiate. SNZ is happy to assist with this process if required however.

In this phase a small team would visit the Agency to assess the computing and operating environment, install a demonstration model of the system, demonstrate the system to all interested parties including the introduction of system concepts and standards, and determine what modifications are required to the system.

The outcome of this phase is an evaluation report outlining the key issues and requirements for a successful installation. This report would be a joint report agreed to by both parties.

hase 2: Formalising the Relationship

In this phase SNZ will prepare a Memorandum of Understanding between SNZ and the Client Agency and arrange for signing by both parties (normally at the CEO level).

The Memorandum is the means by which SNZ manages its business relationships with other Statistical Agencies. The central theme of this Memorandum is the establishment a long term relationship based on the trust and goodwill of both Agencies.

The Memorandum outlines the details of the sale and purchase, the phases of work agreed to, including the nature of modifications required, and the nature and level of ongoing support.

Phase 3: Installation of System

In this phase SNZ will:

• Prepare and install a customised working system in the Client Agency's test and production computing environments.
• Prepare and supply a full set of system, operational and training documentation.
• Deliver training to both Systems and Operations staff
• Provide support for 12 months following installation.
• Provide project Management resources to manage all phases of the process including the ongoing support.

Keith Sykes
International Business Relationship Manager
Statistics New Zealand
Private Bag 92003
Auckland
New Zealand

Phone: +64-9-357-2130
Mobile: +64-25-283-1324
Fax: +64-9-379-0859
E-mail: keith_sykes@stats.govt.nz