Abstract
Since 1974, the UK Central Statistical Office has used a database as the platform to compile, manage and disseminate the main macro-economic statistical indicators; National Accounts, Index of Production, Balance of Payments etc. For most of this period the system has used Unisys' DMS 1100, a Codasyl database management system running on a Unisys 1100 central mainframe, driven by a suite of purpose-built Fortran programs.
In the early 1980's it was decided to redesign the system using a distributed processing configuration based on IBM-compatible microcomputers attached through an Ethernet local area network to a central database running on a powerful Unix computer. The new system uses a relational database package, Ingres, running at the centre. The local micro processing is based almost entirely on commercial spreadsheet packages. The new system is more cost effective and flexible than the old and better meets users needs.
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