Census Bureau Debuting Advanced Harris Corporation Technology During 2010 Census Dress Rehearsal
Written by Harris Corporation
07 May 2007
Census Bureau Debuting Advanced Harris Corporation Technology During 2010 Census Dress Rehearsal Beginning This Week - Innovative wireless and database technology to help create the most accurate census ever
MELBOURNE, Fla., May 7 -- The U.S. Census Bureau is debuting innovative new mobile handheld devices and database management technology from Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) this week as it launches its dress rehearsal for the nation's 2010 Decennial Census. The new technology is designed to create the most accurate, secure, and cost-effective census ever, and is expected to save taxpayers $1 billion.
From May 7 to June 24, census enumerators in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Stockton, California, will utilize 1,400 unique, Harris-developed handheld devices with GPS technology and biometric security to directly capture address canvassing information. The enumerators will then have the ability to securely and wirelessly transmit the information to the Field Data Collection Automation (FDCA) database designed and supported by Harris. This means near real-time data will be available in the Fayetteville and Stockton Local Census Offices, as well as the Charlotte, North Carolina, and Seattle, Washington, Regional Offices.
Address canvassing is conducted to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the address list and maps used for the 2010 Census to deliver questionnaires and conduct subsequent data collection operations. Address canvassing involves field verification, update and/or correction of addresses for living quarters and street features.
The dress rehearsal is a significant milestone and highlights how the automated collection and management of field data will enable the first virtually paperless conduct of the massive address canvassing and non-response follow-up operation of the 2010 Census. Past census field data collection was handled primarily through paper address lists, maps and questionnaires. The automated systems that will be used for the 2010 Census will reduce the need for paper-based processing, increase operational efficiency, improve accuracy and reduce costs.
At the peak of data collection operations during the actual 2010 Census, which begins in March 2010 with the delivery of the census questionnaires, it is anticipated that the new system will support about 500 local offices and will maximize the efficiency and productivity of more than 500,000 temporary staff deployed throughout the country.
"The Census Bureau has a critical mission that ultimately impacts many aspects of our lives, and a successful dress rehearsal will help to ensure an efficient 2010 Census," said Mike Murray, vice president of Census Programs, Harris Government Communications Systems Division. "The new Harris technology will help make the 2010 Census the most accurate, complete, secure and cost- effective census ever."
The Harris systems play a central role in the U.S. Census Bureau's FDCA program. Harris is serving as the systems integrator -- designing, developing, testing and deploying the five-year, $600 million FDCA program, which is creating advanced, automated systems that deliver data to the Census Bureau's computing systems in near real-time. A hallmark of the FDCA architecture is its multiple and overlapping security features, including fingerprint authentication, password authentication, role-based access, automatic data encryption during storage and transmission, firewalls and virus protection.
In 2002, Harris also was selected by the U.S. Census Bureau for an eight- year, $210 million program to integrate and improve the accuracy of the Bureau's topological database.
Members of the Harris FDCA team include Accenture LLP, Unisys Corporation, Dell Computer Corporation, High Tech Computer Corporation, Sprint, Oracle, Client Network Services, Inc., AuthenTec, and Headstrong.
Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has annual revenue of about $4 billion and more than 14,000 employees -- including more than 6,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications(TM) products, systems, and services for global markets, including government communications, RF communications, broadcast communications, and wireless transmission network solutions. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com
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