The document summarizes the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service's use of mobile devices for field data collection. Field interviewers use iPad devices connected to wireless broadband to enter survey responses from agricultural operations. Data is saved securely in a cloud-based electronic data repository without being stored locally on devices. The system provides efficiencies like pre-filling duplicate questions, electronic assignment of surveys, and real-time data submission and review. The mobile solution enhances data timeliness, quality, and supervisor management tools while maintaining flexibility and scalability.

1. Federal Mobile Computing Summit
Washington DC July 9
Use Cases of Mobility
Pam Hird, CAPI Program Manager
United States Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Pam.hird@nass.usda.gov
202-615-9845

2. USDA - NASS Office
CAPI Solution
Field Interviewer
 Apple iPad 2, 3, 4
 3G/4G & WiFi Enabled
Cell Tower
USDA-NASS
Web Survey Site
Electronic Data Repository
(EDR) Wireless
Broadband
Agricultural Operation
Information Cloud
Questionnaires
Transmitted to Device
Data Saved for
Review to Cloud
Data Submitted to
the Office
Data
entered
into device
 Fully automated
 Flexible
 Scalable

3. Unique Solutions
 Apple platform
 No data stored on iPad
 Cloud Technology
 Electronic Data Repository (EDR)
o Rewritten
o Non platform specific
 AJAX
 All pieces of the solution can be replaced
without changing the process

4. Application Solution
 Electronic Data Repository (EDR)
o Original written in response to Paperless Act
o Non platform specific
o Rewritten to include Ajax and improve speed
o Custom designed for NASS data collection
 JavaScript and DoJo
 Inclusion of AJAX for transmission
 Work in progress – evolving based on need

5. Built in Efficiencies
 Electronic coordination of multiple surveys for respondent
 Question coordination – duplicate questions prefilled
 Electronic enumerator assignment
 Mapping feature (plan route)
 Timeliness of Data (48 – 72 hours)
 Supervisor management interface
• Reassignments electronically
• Remote review questionnaire simultaneously
Quality checks and training tool
 Soft Edits, Sum Fields, Skip Logic

6. 6

7. Supervisor Assignment Listing
7

8. 8
All assignment
locations

9. Operator’s Survey Listing
9Tap to open survey

10. 10

11. Contact:
Pam Hird
pam.hird@nass.usda.gov
Tel: +1-202-690-1185
Fax: +1-202-720-6396
Questions ? Comments ?