Electronic data interchange for statistical data collection

This paper gives a brief description of some of the information-technological developments within Statistics Netherlands. After an overview of the effects on the production process, it focuses on one aspect, electronic data interchange (EDI). Among the many projects currently running at Statistics Netherlands 'Pilot 2' is described. This concerns EDI on the financial accounts of enterprises. We will focus on the role of the meta-information as a tool to control the process. We will see how technology changes this role and generates new possibilities to enhance the effectiveness of the meta-information.