The paper is a methodological report, based upon the author's long-standing experience in designing statistical information systems’ (SIS) architectures for national and international statistical organisations. Its goal is to assist statistical offices in designing an efficient information systems architecture under conditions of growing users’ demands, increasing international co-operation and constant changes in information technology.

The material provides a comprehensive analysis of the existing types of statistical information systems in national and international statistical offices, and outlines development directions for the future. The paper examines the technical aspects of the proposed SIS architecture, and gives practical recommendations on how to implement a realistic information technology (IT) strategy under conditions of ongoing rapid technological development.

Custodian: UNECE