There is a great need for an inexpensive data wharehousing technology to allow other data sets to be mounted by smaller organizations with fewer resources. Data is separated organizationally from the various data request front ends. Data can be reorganized physically to improve performance without effecting other parts of the distributed system. New data warehousing technology can be substituted for older database technologies as appropriate without side effects. A major strength of this approach is that evolutionary improvement and multi-organization participation is designed into the system.
Different organizations have different technical strengths.
For example, organizations that maintain geographic boundary information and geographic display tools might share their display methods to the overall system. In order to have multiple tools working together effectively, protocols must be established that insure that different modules plug together seamlessly. Each module should include a digital signature of the organization that provides and supports it, as well as links to appropriate help and mail to the supporting organization. Summary The Web has inspired greater public expectations and creates new possibilities for intelligent information access. The statistical agencies, in particular, have an opportunity to revolutionize the way the public accesses and understands data.