Data Integration Services

The core of DGR's services provided to government agencies and others, has been in the area of data integration. Projects have always been oriented towards producing concise information summaries from large and sometimes diverse databases maintained by various organizations. The ability to combine and integrate these diverse databases requires extensive system design, programming, and data analysis experience.

In order to facilitate the integration, analysis, and presentation of data from large and often diverse databases, DGR relies on combining many well-developed software packages. The Statistical Analysis System (SAS) has been the primary software package used by DGR since 1975. SAS provides very capable database management and programming facilities. In addition, other packages such as CA-DISSPLA, ARC/INFO, ArcView, AUTOMAP, S-Plus, DBASE, MS OFFICE (ACCESS and EXCEL), AUTOMATCH, and UNIMATCH have all been used in conjunction with SAS.

DGR's approach has centered on the ability of SAS to read and write data in any format. The free-form input/output capabilities of SAS have allowed for the easy transfer of data between software packages. Further, the SAS Macro facility has allowed for the construction of hybrid combinations of software packages that are well suited for solving special problems(see examples below).

DGR has traditionally used SAS in combination with AUTOMATCH and UNIMATCH and ESRI's (ARC/INFO and ArcView) to provide address matching services to clients. This type of data integration is useful for examining the geographic distribution of data. DGR can also display address matched (geo-refrenced) data on maps using Geographic Infornation System(GIS) facilities.

More recent efforts have centered upon developing specialized PC(Windows) applications using Visual Basic and Visual C++ in combination with data generated from SAS and Excel. For instance, a Health Facilities/Provider Gravity Model is being prepared in cooperation with the New Mexico Health Policy Commission. More of these PC(Windows) based applications will be prepared for clients in the future as their needs require.

This WWW page provides brief descriptions of completed and current projects along with a listing of technical publications. Links to example data integration projects performed by DGR for clients such as the New Mexico Traffic Safety Bureau and the New Mexico Health Policy Commission and others are also provided. It will also eventually provide some example SAS Macros that can be acquired via FTP for public use.

Example Data Integration Projects

• The CODES Project
• The GRNDB GIS
• NM Health Care Data
• NM Traffic Safety Data
• Census Aggregation and Accessibility Project (CAAP)

Please note that DGR does not provide data collection services using survey methods. There are other qualified organizations at UNM such as the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER), Institute for Public Policy, and Institute for Social Research (ISR) that can provide these services. Arrangements can be made with these organizations to provide data to DGR to perform additional data integration, data analysis, and GIS services.

Traffic Crash Data | New Mexico Data | SAS Data

Related Software Sites

• CA - Computer Associates (CA-DISSPLA)
• ESRI - Environmental Systems Research Institute (ARC/INFO)
• SAS Institute (SAS)

For more information:

     Division of Government Research
     University of New Mexico 
     Onate Hall Suite 116  MSC06 3510 
     Albuquerque, New Mexico  87131
     Phone: (505) 277-3305 
     FAX: (505) 277-7066 
     Email:  

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Last Revised: 6/21/01 Larry Spear ( )