OECD adds innovative new features and functionality to OECD.Stat

["Laura Cox" <laura.cox@frontlinegms.com>]

Paris, France, 24th April 2008. As part of the continuing 
programme of work to make OECD databases more accessible and user 
friendly, OECD.Stat now incorporates innovative new features. 
This is part of a larger project to improve the services around 
OECD statistics in the OECD iLibrary which is replacing 
SourceOECD later this year.

The new beta version of OECD.Stat, the single online platform 
where users can discover and access a wide range of statistical 
databases from the OECD has been updated. It has a new browser, 
faster navigation and new functionality which improve the user 
experience and ability to compare and manipulate data.

The new browser design uses a clearer division between content 
and features. Users are able to search or browse for precisely 
the data they require through a detailed list of content themes 
which can be viewed constantly or collapsed to increase viewing 
space.

OECD.Stat has now become so flexible that each table can be 
customised, users can select from a vast array of variables and 
combine data from different sources to compare and analyse 
country statistics. They may change the shape of the table by 
moving rows and columns and view data in a multitude of formats, 
including dynamic graphs which bring the data alive visually. All 
the statistics are exportable to Excel with full references.

Toby Green, Head of OECD Publishing said: "Following the launch 
of OECD.Stat in December 2007, we have been listening to our 
users and have developed this improved interface based on their 
feedback. This new version is part of an ongoing process of beta 
releases which will continue to be enhanced and optimised 
throughout the year. Our users require fast navigation in a 
simple, self explanatory format. OECD.Stat now provides this and 
more with improved response time and the streamlined presentation 
of tools to modify the selection, take the data away and re-use 
them in their own IT environment."

The redesign utilises screen space much more effectively. 
Metadata, including source information, characteristics, 
abstracts and definitions are included in a separate window when 
each new table is viewed. More detailed metadata can be accessed 
at all levels, from the dataset-level abstract down through to 
cell level footnotes. This enables users to fully understand and 
explore the numbers they are viewing.

To explore OECD.Stat please go to: 
http://www.SourceOECD.org/database/OECDStat

Contact: Toby Green, Head of Publishing toby.green@oecd.org
Tel: +33 6 10 11 49 89

About OECD

OECD (www.oecd.org <http://www.oecd.org/> ) brings together the 
governments of the 30 Member Countries* committed to democracy 
and the market economy from around the world to support 
sustainable economic growth, raise living standards, maintain 
financial stability and assist other countries' economic 
development.

OECD Publishing (www.oecd.org/publishing) is one of the world's 
largest publishers in the fields of economics and public policy. 
OECD Publishing disseminates OECD's intellectual output, both 
analytical and statistical.

More information about publications is available through the OECD 
Online <http://www.oecdbookshop.org/oecd/index.asp?lang=EN> 
Bookshop and SourceOECD <http://www.sourceoecd.org/> , the 
groundbreaking iLibrary of statistical databases, books and 
periodicals.

* OECD Member Countries and year of joining - Australia (1971), 
Austria (1961), Belgium (1961), Canada (1961), Czech Republic 
(1995), Denmark (1961), Finland (1969), France (1961), Germany 
(1961), Greece (1961), Hungary (1996), Iceland (1961), Ireland 
(1961), Italy (1961), Japan (1964), Korea (1996), Luxembourg 
(1961), Mexico (1994), The Netherlands (1961), New Zealand 
(1973), Norway (1961), Poland (1996), Portugal (1961), Slovak 
Republic (2000), Spain (1961), Sweden (1961), Switzerland (1961), 
Turkey (1961), United Kingdom (1961), United States (1961).

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