When 2002 Economic Census returns start rolling in, the Census Bureau will mark a major milestone in collecting data from companies. For the first time, many businesses will use an electronic questionnaire they download from the Internet.

This accomplishment demonstrates the Census Bureau's commitment to e-government--with less reporting burden for business and more efficiency in all phases of census operations.

"Allowing businesses to extract data directly from their own spreadsheets is a major breakthrough," said Tom Mesenbourg, Assistant Director for Economic Programs at the Census Bureau. "Electronic reporting can significantly lower the reporting costs incurred by some of our largest and most important businesses. It saves us time and money as well."

A New Option

Businesses will still get forms in the mail in December, but with a new option. Using information on their form, they will be able to access the Census Bureau's internet site and download either a questionnaire program or a spreadsheet template. Businesses will complete the electronic forms on their own computers at their own pace and file the form on a secure Internet site or mail a diskette in to the Census Bureau.

Most firms with only one location will use a simple questionnaire program tailored to their industry. The program will prompt the respondent through the questions one at a time, and provide feedback if any figures appear inconsistent.

Big Payoff for Big Business

The real payoff is for firms with dozens or even thousands of locations. Instead of having to complete a separate form for each establishment, the business will be able to import information from company spreadsheets right into Economic Census software.

Businesses can learn about their electronic reporting options by checking the Census Bureau's Business Help Site <www.census.gov/econhelp>. The site includes answers to questions businesses ask most often, and provides other services, such as verification that their report has been received. Complementing the on-line Help Site is a toll-free "help line" (1-800-233-6136), to be answered by Census Bureau employees from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., EST, Monday through Friday, starting December 1.

Culminating a Long-Term Trend

Electronic reporting is not new to the Census Bureau. As early as 1967, the agency accommodated a few large retailers who requested permission to file census reports for their many locations on computer tape. In subsequent censuses, the number of requests increased gradually, but the program remained experimental. The 1997 Economic Census made electronic reporting available to thousands of retailers and hotel/motel chains that requested it. What is different for 2002 is that every business now has the option to report electronically, and the process is much easier and friendlier than ever before.

Several of the other business surveys that the Census Bureau conducts also offer electronic reporting as an option. Nearly half of all establishments in the Census Bureau's Annual Report of Organization survey of large companies are now reported electronically, up from about 10 percent five years ago.

The census forms mailed to businesses in December will be due back February 12, 2003.