Trevor Fletcher ITN/CBS Towards one consistent world trade database : OECD and UNSD data sharing. IT Issues ITS Experts Meeting – September 2005 ITS Meeting Sept 2005 Trevor Fletcher ITN/CBS

The OECD/UNSD joint Trade System Common application being jointly developed for processing OECD and UNSD Trade data. OECD to process member country data UNSD to process all other data Data to be exchanged between the organisations to complete each organisations database content. Statistics are a key resource for the Organisation as well as an important output. Demand from researchers, journalists , businesses, policy makers etc Exciting time for statistics - contradiction in terms? ITS Meeting Sept 2005

Backgound Phasing out of current Oracle Software at OECD UNSD migrating away from mainframe-based system Decision taken to join forces in developing a single application Harmonisation of processing rules and technology Statistics are a key resource for the Organisation as well as an important output. Demand from researchers, journalists , businesses, policy makers etc Exciting time for statistics - contradiction in terms? ITS Meeting Sept 2005

Application components – developed in partnership SQL-based data model designed by UNSD and synchronised at both sites. Data processing procedures: being developed at OECD and parallel tested at UNSD Database browser client: designed and developed by UNSD – tested and adapted by OECD. Data exchange via XML (SDMX): schema designed by UNSD, exchange mechanism being developed by OECD Statistics are a key resource for the Organisation as well as an important output. Demand from researchers, journalists , businesses, policy makers etc Exciting time for statistics - contradiction in terms? ITS Meeting Sept 2005

Data Exchange & Synchronisation OECD UNSD Data Exchange & Synchronisation Disseminate Disseminate Dissemination Database Dissemination Database Working Database Working Database Process Process Common Processing Module Common Processing Module Data Access Statistics are a key resource for the Organisation as well as an important output. Demand from researchers, journalists , businesses, policy makers etc Exciting time for statistics - contradiction in terms? Data capture Data capture ITS Meeting Sept 2005

Opportunities Extend XML Database Exchange mechanism to other International Organisations (FAO, UNCTAD etc) Use common exchange format for data capture from National institutions providing raw data. Reuse development for other Trade related data (internally…): Monthly Trade Statistics, Trade In Services, Bilateral Trade etc Statistics are a key resource for the Organisation as well as an important output. Demand from researchers, journalists , businesses, policy makers etc Exciting time for statistics - contradiction in terms? ITS Meeting Sept 2005

Challenges Managing joint development between different organisations Communications Testing Statistics are a key resource for the Organisation as well as an important output. Demand from researchers, journalists , businesses, policy makers etc Exciting time for statistics - contradiction in terms? ITS Meeting Sept 2005

Current Situation Trade Data Processing suite 90% complete Administrator Client – development completed Web Browser Client - development completed Data Exchange Mechanism – development completed Database synchronisation - UNSD Historical data being loaded OECD Parallel testing of all components in progress at UNSD and OECD – to continue to end 2005 Deployment at OECD and UNSD Jan 2006 Statistics are a key resource for the Organisation as well as an important output. Demand from researchers, journalists , businesses, policy makers etc Exciting time for statistics - contradiction in terms? ITS Meeting Sept 2005

Live Demo of Web Browser Client Statistics are a key resource for the Organisation as well as an important output. Demand from researchers, journalists , businesses, policy makers etc Exciting time for statistics - contradiction in terms? ITS Meeting Sept 2005

Thank you ... Trevor.Fletcher@OECD.org questions & answers ... ITS Meeting Sept 2005