If you're new to Data Analytics Services (DAS) or looking to adopt it, this guide will help you learn more about the platform and its features.
Getting Started with Data Analytics Services (DAS)
Why should I work with DAS?
To modernize your work by leveraging the latest in cloud technology. This will help you find efficiencies and facilitate collaboration within your team or with different stakeholders.
DAS was designed specifically to make the best of cloud-native technology and offers an easy-to-use environment to perform data analytics, while still meeting the Government of Canada's security standards. It allows registered users to log in, upload, analyze, and share data from any remote workspace 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
DAS brings together a suite of cutting-edge tools, allowing users to access what they need in a single work environment. This ranges from statistical software for familiarity and convenience to open-source software for greater agility and flexibility. DAS also provides advanced capabilities such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning techniques, and high-performance data processing. All this allows users to create a customizable workbench that includes everything they need to reach their goals.
Who is DAS for?
Though DAS was initially built for Statistics Canada and Government of Canada employees, the platform can also be accessed by non-government organizations. Since it was designed to facilitate collaboration, it can be a great way for them to build a stronger partnership with Statistics Canada and access the data they need more efficiently and securely. This can include data gathered from different sources. From publicly available information to more sensitive data that needs to be handled in a secure environment.
DAS is therefore a great option for data analysts, data scientists, policy analysts, academics, non-government organizations, and different levels of government, including municipalities.
How can I get started?
Start by filling out the "get started" form to let us know what you need (Link to "get started" form).
We will then contact you to confirm your eligibility and help you get started.
Once approved, the onboarding process will begin. DAS experts will accompany you to ensure the platform is set up to fit your specific need. Since every project is different a costing estimate will also be produced, including overhead costs and more variable costs, such as those associated with cloud storage. See our DAS pricing page for more information (Link to DAS pricing page).
Security and Privacy
How secure is DAS?
Statistics Canada is serious about data security. We have the infrastructure, policies, and culture in place to safeguard critical information and to protect the confidentiality of personal data. DAS was very much built on that foundation to provide a secure cloud environment that meets the Government of Canada's high security standards.
DAS's systems have been assessed and approved by Statistics Canada's Cyber Security division and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) (Link to CSE). Most of its component, including the entire Advanced Analytics Workspace (AAW) and the Collaborative Analytics Environment are Protected B certified (Link to "levels of security" guide).
To protect our IT infrastructure and workloads from cyber threats, we also take all necessary precautions to secure data using industry-standard encryption protocols, encryption layers, and firewalls.
How much does DAS cost?
Statistics Canada's Data Analytics Services platform is made available to internal government users as well as non-government users under an affordable cost recovery model (Link to DAS pricing page).
As every Data Analytics Services customer is unique, cost will be calculated based on the size and scope of the project, as well as the level of support required. The cost of cloud storage in particular depends on usage and will vary from one project to another. To protect our IT infrastructure and workloads from cyber threats, we also take all necessary precautions to secure data using industry-standard encryption protocols, encryption layers, and firewalls.
Working with DAS
What type of projects have successfully used DAS?
DAS has been used successfully in a variety of projects and initiatives that needed to gather data from different sources and present it in an accessible way. It was especially helpful for teams looking to improve data ingestion, storage and dissemination, including with partners both in and out of government.
For example, the platform was instrumental in the development of dashboards to coordinate efforts to procure and distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical equipment to provinces and territories during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another project helps Canadian business owners access high-frequency indicators and summaries that help them make critical decisions about business and growth opportunities. Yet another used DAS to develop machine learning models to automate and integrate data ingestion pipelines in order to capture more data on Canada's agriculture sector
What are the specific tools and resources provided by DAS?
DAS gives you access to three distinct work environments that each includes specific tools and resources.
The Collaborative Analytics Environment (CAE) popular analytics software with simple interfaces to prepare, transform and analyze datasets or create dynamic visualizations. See full list of resources (Link to CAE page).
The Advanced Analytics Workspace (AAW) lets you create workspaces and data pipelines, run machine learning models, and build interactive dashboards in an open-source, environment. See full list of resources (Link to AAW page).
The Geospatial Analytics Environment (GAE) gives you the means to perform geospatial analysis and geoprocessing, to integrate data and to create interactive visualizations in a collaborative environment. See full list of resources (Link to GAE page).
How do I know which DAS environment to choose between AAW, CAE and GAE?
Each environment offers a different set of tools and allows for various levels of customization to meet the needs of users with different levels of technical expertise.
The Collaborative Analytics Environment (CAE) is suited for users at all skills level looking for a drag and drop experience that will help them develop quick insights.
The Advanced Analytics Workspace (AAW) was designed for users with strong technical know-how looking for increased power and more flexibility to process, analyze and visualize data.
The Geospatial Analytics Environment (GAE) provides tools for those looking to integrate geospatial components in their analysis and visualizations.
Questions from Statistics Canada
Can I work with external partners on DAS?
Yes! DAS was very much designed as a secure external collaboration environment in which Statistics Canada services and data can be integrated. Several projects have already benefited from the platform to work with external stakeholders. These partners can also be granted access to DAS, which means all parties can share data and information freely.
How will I be billed for DAS?
To pay for DAS as an internal customer you will need to provide your project's PE code just like you would for any other service offered under a cost recovery model.
Questions from other Government of Canada departments
How will I pay for DAS?
Federal departments, except Crown corporations, use Interdepartmental Settlement (IS) codes to make payments to one another. Federal organizations working with DAS will need to provide new IS codes to Statistics Canada every fiscal year for multi-year projects. Accuracy is essential for IS codes, and they must be from the fiscal year of billing so they can be automatically processed through internal systems. Invoices will serve as receipts for these transactions.
Questions from non-government users
How will I be billed for DAS?
Organizations outside the federal government, including Crown corporations, will receive invoices on pre-specified billing dates. They will then have 30 days to pay the invoice before interest starts accruing. The payment options for non-federal organizations are credit card, Bill Payment Service (if they have an account with any of the main Canadian banks), wire transfer, or direct deposit (for non-international clients). Statistics Canada representatives will contact clients to set up credit card payments over the phone.
Still have questions?
