UNSD Census Workshop

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UNSD Census Workshop Day 2 - Session 6 Data
Capture Optical Mark Recognition
Andy Tye International Manager DRS are
Worldwide specialists in data capture from paper
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Data Capture

• Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)
• 2 methods to automate Mark data capture
• OMR from Image
• Dedicated OMR scanners
• Forms design, Hardware, Software, Advantages,
  Disadvantages for each method are different

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Data Capture - OMR

• OMR from Image
• Forms Design
• Typical stock grade paper (90GSM)
• Corner Stones advised
• Dropout colour is recommended but not essential

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Data Capture - OMR

• Dedicated OMR Scanners
• Forms Design
• CBS2 Standard Paper
• Layout of form designed using grid system
• Dropout colour is mandatory

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Data Capture - OMR

• Forms Design
• Whichever OMR method chosen make sure you
• Design your form in collaboration with technology
  provider
• Finalise the form design in good time well in
  advance of census
• Prove your forms design with a Pilot exercise
• Census forms need to be designed precisely and
  with enumerator task in mind

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Data Capture - OMR

• OMR from Image
• Hardware
• Image Scanners
• TWAIN or ISIS
• Database Server
• Storage Server
• Network
• Administrator PC
• CS-Pro PCs
• Key correction PCs
• Scanner PCs
• Image interpretation PCs

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Data Capture - OMR

• OMR from Image
• Hardware
• Image Scanners
• TWAIN or ISIS
• Database Server
• Storage Server
• Network
• Administrator PC
• CS-Pro PCs
• Key correction PCs
• Scanner PCs
• Image interpretation PCs

• Dedicated OMR Scanners
• Hardware
• OMR Scanners
• Database Server
• Network
• Administrator PC
• CS-Pro PCs

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Data Capture - OMR

• Typical Workflow
• Dedicated OMR Scanners

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Data Capture - OMR

• Typical Workflow
• Dedicated OMR Scanners

OMR from Image
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Data Capture - OMR

• OMR from Image
• Software
• Software for Scanner PCs
• Software for Administrator PC
• CS-Pro PCs
• Software for Key correction PCs
• Software for Direct Data Entry PCs
• License per Image interpretation PCs
• MS -SQL or other database
• Data Storage, archive and Retrieval

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Data Capture - OMR

• OMR from Image
• Software
• Software for Scanner PCs
• Software for Administrator PC
• CS-Pro PCs
• Software for Key correction PCs
• Software for Direct Data Entry PCs
• License per Image interpretation PCs
• MS -SQL or other database
• Data Storage, archive and Retrieval

• Dedicated OMR Scanners
• Software
• Software for OMR Scanners
• Software for Administrator PC
• CS-Pro PCs
• MS -SQL or other database

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Data Capture - OMR

• OMR from Image
• Accuracy
• Typically tolerance level applied

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Data Capture - OMR

• OMR from Image
• Accuracy
• Typically tolerance level applied

• Dedicated OMR Scanners
• Accuracy
• Typically 16 levels of discrimination

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Data Capture - OMR

• OMR from Image
• Advantages
• No Specialist hardware required
• An Image archive is automatically produced of
  every form
• Very high speed scanning can be achieved

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Data Capture - OMR

• OMR from Image
• Advantages
• No Specialist hardware required
• An Image archive is automatically produced of
  every form
• Very high speed scanning can be achieved

• Dedicated OMR Scanners
• Advantages
• Very accurate time proven technology
• A Guaranteed accuracy of data from properly
  shaded forms
• Problem forms are identified at point of
  scanning and can be out-sorted
• Validated data is produced immediately as forms
  are accepted
• Overall a low cost option for paper based data
  capture

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Data Capture - OMR

• OMR from Image
• Disadvantages
• Not all data can be collected using OMR. Such as
  name, occupation, etc.
• Need trained enumerators to complete the form.
• As OMR fields take up space, so forms can be more
  pages as a consequence
• Accuracy suffers from image technology
• Significant Hardware/software and trained IT
  staff will be required
• Accuracy dependant on manual intervention

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Data Capture - OMR

• OMR from Image
• Disadvantages
• Not all data can be collected using OMR. Such as
  name, occupation, etc.
• Need trained enumerators to complete the form.
• As OMR fields take up space, so forms can be more
  pages as a consequence
• Accuracy suffers from image technology
• Significant Hardware/software and trained IT
  staff will be required
• Accuracy dependant on manual intervention

• Dedicated OMR Scanners
• Disadvantages
• Not all data can be collected using OMR. Such as
  name, occupation, etc.
• Need trained enumerators to complete the form.
• As OMR fields take up space, so forms can be more
  pages as a consequence
• Accurately printed forms are required.

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Data Capture - OMR
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Data Capture - OMR

• Summary
• For both methods
• The single most important factor for timely and
  accurate data capture is to make sure
• the forms are filled in correctly and are
  returned in good condition

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Worldwide specialists in data capture from paper