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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. The current state of the profiling system

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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 !!!!

9. 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

10. Concept of distribution key

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Thank you for your attention