Data Processing
Facilities
BPS has been
using computers since 1963 for statistical data processing. The
first computer was the UNIVAC machine, used in 1963. From 1969
to 1979, BPS used and ICL manufactured machine replacing the aging
and obsolete UNIVAC. The next computer was the NEC ACOS-500 which
was installed in 1979. This machine was planned to accommodate
the processing of censuses and surveys conducted by BPS in the
80's and to get rid of the backlog due to the increasing workload
at the data processing unit.
Later the
BPS was equipped with an NEC computer system, ACOS-1500, installed
in 1989, replacing the aging ACOS-500. This computer has dual
CPU's with the memory capacity of 32 MB each. A 32 GB disk is
used as backing storage. Four line printers with the speed of
1800 LPM are used heavily. A graphic plotter, two magnetic drives,
and 100 terminals spread out within BPS, are used to support the
machine. Stand alone personal computers, Local Area Networks (LAN),
and a Wide Area Network (WAN) system, are installed, to provide
facilities for the subject matter users to process special purpose
applications independently.
Beside ACOS-1500
at the central office, 6 type A Provincial Statistical Offices
(PSO's) have also been equipped with mini computers. PC's have
also been used heavily in all 27 provinces (6 type A PSO's and
21 type B PSO's). All sites are connected to ACOS-1500 at the
BPS central office. In 1992 BPS installed 1 (one) PC for each
Regency/Municipalities Statistical Office.
Recent development
of information technology makes it possible for the BPS to adopt
a different and more favorable approach towards data processing.
Starting in 1995 BPS began to look into a possible new implementation
of adopting a decentralization of data processing. To such extent,
subject matters, as the organizational unit which directly responsible
for the collection and processing particular subject of statistical
data, are expected to be able to manage their own coverage.
Throughout
the years BPS' NEC mainframe has been serving major data processing
needs for censuses and surveys. A single monolithic machine and
data processing system cannot handle the pressure of increasing
demands for statistical information production and dissemination
any longer. With the emerging of competing solutions based on
PCs and LANs, data processing are no longer done in centralized
manner. The right combination of knowledgeable personnel with
hardware and software is proven to be more effective than expensive
mainframe system.
Distributed
processing system based on PCs, LANs and Mini's are now starting
to handle statistical data processing needs of BPS'. Based on
cost justification and reduction of time-to-market, BPS finally
decided to phase out the mainframe.
Statistical
data stored on the mainframe are being migrated to new storage
devices on mini computers and PC servers. New applications, and
databases are being developed to handle current and future requirements
of data processing. The phasing-out project has been on going
since the end of 1997. Applications for handling monthly statistics,
such as Consumer Price Indices, and Foreign Trade, are being deployed
and already come into production. Other applications and database
will follow in the near future.
As mentioned
previously, BPS has conducted feasibility studies and several
activities in developing a single source of data warehouse database.
It is expected that this would be the place where all data collection
and processing activities will eventually end up, and all official
releases and publications are drawn out from.
The data warehouse
development is done in conjunction with the previous project,
i.e. retiring the mainframe unit. As more and more applications
are being ported from the mainframe to client-server environment,
at the same time generic framework of data modeling are being
implemented in the data warehouse database to accommodate the
newly added subjects.
Anticipating
the needs for skilled IT Personnel, the BPS Computer Training
Center was founded in 1997. Equipped with laboratories, modern
classrooms, local area network, Internet connection, skilled trainers,
and well-planned training materials, the training center will
handle the BPS' requirements for IT personnel well beyond 2000.
Besides BPS' staff, the Training Center is also planned to accommodate
other government institutions.
Finally in 1999, BPS completed the last phase of mainframe migration. In
that year the mainframe was permanently shutdown. Replacing the old
mainframe, in the year of 2000, BPS procurred two Compaq AlphaServer GS140,
and several other servers supporting the bulk of data processing. These
servers with storage space in the terabytes are exepected to carry BPS into
the future.
As such the BPS Information Technology Infrastructure development is an
on-going and neverending process. Keeping up with the demands of
statistical data processing, finding innovations for better working
methods, and providing easy access to statistical informations are the
goals, on which, the development of IT infrastructure in BPS are based on.
See Also:
Institutional
Background
Organizational
Structure
Our
Activities
Data
Processing Facilities
Indonesian
Law No.16/1997 on Statistics
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