ODE Telecomputing Systems

Yuri Khemenko

Chief Scientist Unit

Tel. 972-2-655 3570

FAX 972-2-655 3606

e-mail: yuri@cbs.gov.il

Foreword

The ODE system is a closed Telecomputing system, which includes hardware, basic
software and communications components, and unique applications for handling the
questionnaires of the 1995 Census of Population and Housing.

The system is based on five basic components:


1.	a decentralized Telecomputing system, using basic client/server principles;
2.	an OS/2 and UNIX operating system with advanced technological access to communications;
3.	application is process-oriented, requiring suitable handling to prevent bottlenecks during the mass production process ("line balance");
4.	development of unique work tools for the production (such as systems for production line management);
5.	an advanced technological project, involving people representing private companies.

Development of the system and all its
: inter aliacomponents included,


	1.examination of the technologies (primarily developing system for image processing):


	developing a scanning system,
	developing rapid and suitable methods for keying,
	developing personal psycho-motor ability tests;

2.building an evolutionary prototype (based on IBM equipment);

3.building a system for testing (and general review);


	4.adjustment of the computer application to all questionnaire forms and to the equipment selected for the census.

The system's operating principles at the
operations site included, among others, the
following components:

1.detailed planning and implementation of the operation site;

2.installation of all the system components as planned in advance;

3.intelligent operation of all operations during implementation.

Structure of the ODE System

The Telecomputing system included four production lines with links between the
production system and the Bureau's central computer, as well as the application
development site:

1.WAN between three afar locations;

2.LAN to each line of the four production lines.

Every production line included the following
components:


	1.the line's central computer (server), an Aviion 8500 UNIX-type with four processor units and 128 Mb of internal memory.
	2.four scanning stations. Each scanning station includes an Aviion 550 UNIX-type computer with one processor and 32 Mb, as well as an IBM 2456 scanner.
	3.about 16 Compaq 486 DX2 PCs in two main configurations:
	keying configuration - 24 Mb and 17" screen
	Editor/coder configuration - 32 Mb and 20" screen
	4.In addition, there were printers and terminals for line management and organization.

Characteristics of technical personnel:

The system was developed by several different agents, with the professional and
technical responsibility of IBM.


	personnel from the IBM Science & Technology Division
	personnel from John Bryce Ltd.
	personnel from Softel Ltd.
	personnel from TIM Ltd.
	personnel from the Central Bureau for Statistics

Three levels of personnel from the Bureau provided technical support, with
professional backup from outside companies:


	programmers from the Bureau (3);
	system administrators (3);
	system operators (6).

Development of the system was divided into sub-tasks according to the nature of the
equipment:


	the scanning system on UNIX computers;
	the personal computer;
	the database carrier;
	adjustment to the census hardware;
	integration and installation of the equipment at the operations site;
	communications and data transfer.

Planning and setting up the site for a six-month
project:


	1.separation of the system components into four independent systems, insuring high reliability, so that a malfunction in one computer would not be able to paralyze the entire site;
	2.purchase and installation of equipment at a high standard to create a reliable environment which would also allow for rapid recovery in the event of a malfunction. All this would be accomplished using equipment which could be reused for regular Bureau's uses.
	3.planning the installation in such a way as to take a minimum amount of time, while insuring a minimum amount of malfunctions.
	4.The testing and examination system of the site included the sub-systems as well as the entire process.
	5.The solution design was based on the fact that the scanning station would consist of powerful UNIX computers, including the server. In contrast with this, all the client work stations were based on PCs.

Stages of handling malfunctions in the system:


	1.malfunction identification, diagnosing its source, determining responsibility for its repair.
	2.evaluation and the repair itself, which usually included arrival time of the appropriate personnel to repair the malfunction, replace parts, and run tests.
	3.system preparation creation of a suitable environment for regular operations.
	4.full operation of the system (mainly, erasure of partial actions and return to the last starting point prior to the crash).

Summary

Development and operation of this system led the Bureau and its employees towards
technological development and brought its personnel to a level of knowledge and
ability by dealing with advanced technologies and facing new challenges.

Several of the topics which we currently perform independently are:


	1.installation and removal of such a complex system: for example, preparation and setting up of the DEMO;
	2.performing data transfer (transfer and conversion of protocols as required) between the Bureau's computing systems;
	3.developing an improved archive system, which will enable us to retrieve each piece of data according to flexible profiles, defined by administrative as well as subject matter variables.
	4.Handling economic coding within the control system.