A guide to the use of the 2001 Census in business - The 2001 Census : Essential Information for Gaining Business Advantage - was published in June 2004 by The Stationery Office (TSO).
The guide is written by experts from the business, statistics and academic communities brought together by editors from the Census and Geodemographics Group of the Market Research Society. Its aim is to explain how to use the Census information to improve business performance, and how content, geography and free access facilitate this. It also aims to show existing users how to gain more advantage as well as opening up a wide range of possibilities for those new to the Census.
The guide explains how the Census can support business strategies by the study of local markets, in the structuring of market research, and through the use of area classifications and bespoke demographic models. There are chapters describing how the Census was taken and processed, how the data are classified, and the output geography, with information on the statistical output and how to get hold of it. Further chapters cover starting analysis, geodemograhic classifications, analyses with other datasets, and advanced uses. The guide concludes with the international perspective and a look beyond the Census to Neighbourhood Statistics.
The Guide costs £35 and may be ordered from TSO online, by telephone from TSO on 0870 243 0123, or by completing an order form available from TSO, and may be viewed and purchased at TSO bookshops.
Approved Suppliers and licensed distributors
Approved Suppliers are organisations providing value added products based on the Census for use in business and marketing, complementing what is available directly from ONS. The members of the scheme meet approved standards.
The following organisations have completed the Approved Suppliers Assessment Process and meet all the agreed standards of data analysis and dissemination and have been designated 'Approved Suppliers' of (2001 and earlier) Census value added products and services.
This user guide is aimed to help those users who require either bespoke or enhanced census products. Each Approved Supplier has prepared a brief overview of their products and services for this guide.
Licensed Distributors
Any organisation may supply information from the Census to third parties under a click use licence, or a Distribution Licence which allows sub licensing. More information about the Distribution Licence can be obtained from census.licensing@ons.gov.uk.
The Geodemograhics database prepared by the Market Research Society may also help in the choice of value added services.
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