The purpose of this document is to introduce the business case for SDMX (English, French). The expected audience for this document is senior and middle management as opting for SDMX is a critical business choice rather than a technical choice.

Since the publication of version 1.0 of the technical specifications in 2004 the SDMX tools have been continuously improved and fine-tuned, and the number of global implementations is constantly growing, covering such domains as education statistics, labour statistics, national accounts, and sustainable development goals. The current revision work of the standard will be a step further towards a tailor-made solution for the exchange of statistical information. In this context any statistical organisation will at some point be confronted with the question of considering SDMX as a solution for harmonising and automating their data and metadata exchanges with international organisations or within their organisation, e.g. in the case of National Statistical Systems. Even countries that in the past did not adopt SDMX may reconsider their decision, taking into account the significant progress made over the years.

It is hoped that this business case will help the reader in making a well-informed analysis on the SDMX implementation.

Business case aspects for SDMX are also explained in detail in a document called “SDMX Starter Kit for National Statistical Agencies“. More insight into the technicalities of SDMX can be found in the “SDMX User Guide“. The principal intention of this guide is help organisations and individuals to determine how best to use SDMX so as to help them to improve the statistical production process. In order to achieve this objective, examples are taken from real implementation scenarios that enable the reader to understand the scope of the SDMX standards and guidelines vis-à-vis the activities required to collect, process and publish statistical data and reference metadata.