Profiling in Switzerland Costs and benefits David Ackermann 28th September 2010

List of contents Profiling today in Switzerland Modernisation of business statistics Project SWIS Crucial role of Profiling (and Profiling light) in the new system Costs and benefits 2

Definition and overall objectives Profiling is a specific data processing method for large businesses and public administrations enabling them to establish their statistical and administrative units, the links that connect them and the most efficient structures for data collection Overall objectives: Simplification and reduction of the statistical burden on businesses Improving the quality of the statistical system by constant improvement of the BR

Profiling today in Switzerland Profiling method as it is currently used in the FSO is based upon: A strong partnership with large businesses and public administrations This privileged contact enables us to ensure: Detailed and up-to-date monitoring of the structures and units of the large businesses and public administrations in the BR The complete and exhaustive survey of these units for employment statistics labour Business census (every three years) Quarterly employment statistics (every three months) Collaboration with other statistics in order to establish optimal coordination for surveys

The current state of the profiling system

Modernisation of business statistics Business statistics are confronted with new challenges: Better level of information Lighten the burden on the units surveyed and rationalise costs Priority project at the FSO « General business statistics programme (GUS) » This project particularly emphasises the use of administrative data and profiling as fundamental sources for business statistics.

A concrete example: Business Survey Current situation: The business survey is an exhaustive survey at local unit level, taking place every 3-4 years Advantages: Data at local unit level by percentage of employment, sex and nationality Quality at economic activity level Disadvantages: Large burden upon businesses (except in profiling) Considerable costs for the FSO

Future situation: SWIS The system proposed for the future foresees the use of existing registers to produce employment statistics: Social security offices  Central element Business Register Methods for monitoring quality of economic activity to be developed Advantages: Reduces the burden on businesses Reduced costs for the FSO Data on a yearly basis Difficulties: Move to another employment universe (salary data) Data at local unit level !!!!

Crucial role of profiling in the new system For the new SWIS system, profiling will fulfil two essential functions: Guarantee that data from multi-unit enterprises is continually updated  Location and economic activity by enterprise Can be used as a basis for the employment and full-time equivalents estimation model at enterprise level  Concept of distribution key

Concept of distribution key

Development of a « Profiling Light» system Profiling Light offers a simplified annual solution based on an interactive internet interface

Profiling costs For the FSO: For the businesses: Staff costs Software development Particularly the development of a new internet interface For the businesses: Costs related to the consolidation of statistics Computing modifications Maintaining the partnership with the FSO

The advantages of profiling For the FSO: Quality management for the register and the survey framework Quality management for statistical data Better image of the FSO (administration) But in particular after the introduction of SWIS Financial advantages (replacing business surveys) For the businesses: Less work and time saved for the units involved No more paper questionnaires A contact person for the business Reduction in the survey burden on enterprises for approximately 300,000 businesses

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