Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.

INFOSTAT
Data Collection Platform

USER GUIDE
Version 2.0

01/02/2019 Page 1 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. “INFOSTAT” CONTEXT ................................................................................................................................................. 3
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................................................... 3
THE AUTHORISATION PROCESS .................................................................................................................................................. 4
2. REGISTRATION AND AUTHENTICATION................................................................................................................ 7
THE HOME PAGE ........................................................................................................................................................................ 8
3. AUTHORISATION MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................................................. 9
THE DELEGATION REQUEST ....................................................................................................................................................... 9
GRANTING ACCESS .................................................................................................................................................................. 10
MANAGING AUTHORISATIONS ................................................................................................................................................. 11
4. THE DATA ENTRY FUNCTION .................................................................................................................................. 14
THE “EDIT” FUNCTION ............................................................................................................................................................. 16
Data Entry of a subset of data – “Partial Edit” ................................................................................................................. 17
Data entry of a “single” observation ................................................................................................................................. 18
Data entry of “multiple” observations ............................................................................................................................... 19
THE SEARCH FUNCTION ........................................................................................................................................................... 20
VALIDATION OF DATA ............................................................................................................................................................. 21
LIST OF DATA ENTRY REMARKS .............................................................................................................................................. 22
DISPLAYING DATA ................................................................................................................................................................... 23
PRINTING DATA ........................................................................................................................................................................ 23
DATA IMPORT ........................................................................................................................................................................... 24
DATA EXPORT .......................................................................................................................................................................... 26
CSV FORMATS...................................................................................................................................................................... 27
THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL............................................................................................................................................................ 28
DATA SUBMISSION ................................................................................................................................................................... 29
REMARKS ................................................................................................................................................................................. 29
REVISIONS ................................................................................................................................................................................ 30
CONFIRMATIONS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 31
5. THE UPLOAD FUNCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 32
MESSAGE CHARACTERISTICS ................................................................................................................................................... 32
DATA DIAGNOSTICS AND SUBMISSION ...................................................................................................................................... 34
REMARKS ................................................................................................................................................................................. 35
REVISIONS ................................................................................................................................................................................ 35
CONFIRMATIONS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 35
WARNINGS ............................................................................................................................................................................... 35
6. MESSAGE MANAGEMENT .......................................................................................................................................... 36
MESSAGE STRUCTURE .............................................................................................................................................................. 36
MESSAGE DISPLAY ................................................................................................................................................................... 36
RELATED MESSAGES ................................................................................................................................................................ 39
GUIDE TO REMARKS ................................................................................................................................................................. 40

01/02/2019 Page 2 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

1. “INFOSTAT” Context

Introduction
The INFOSTAT Data Collection Platform (referred to as INFOSTAT) is an IT platform used for the secure
submission of periodic statistical and supervisory reports to be sent to the Central Bank of Malta (CBM).
INFOSTAT is designed to enable a wide range of information exchange with the CBM. This user guide contains
information that applies to the usage of the INFOSTAT platform and any exchange of information with the CBM.
Images shown in this user guide are examples of the features supported by the platform; they may differ slightly
from those which users may see for a specific survey.

Accessible via the following website address:

[Link]
The INFOSTAT platform is comprised of the following functions:
 Request access and manage survey [Link] functionality is used to enable users to access the
portal.
 The schedule function. This provides an overview of calendar and the deadlines for the submission of
reports.
 The data-entry function. This is used to enter in data or to select reports to be uploaded to the CBM;
this function also performs a data validation check on any data or report that is being submitted to the
CBM.
 The diagnostic function. This is available to reporting agents (referred to as “respondents”) in order to
run a pre-check on the quality of the data and reports submitted.
 The upload function. This enables the standard upload / submission of report files and data according to
pre-defined standard formats.
 The data submission function. This enables the electronic data submission of reports to the CBM.
 The confirmation function. This allows respondents to view and confirm any remarks / comments
received from the CBM, and in turn add explanatory notes.

In order to use the INFOSTAT functions the respondent user will require access to the Internet via a working web
browser as well as an Adobe-Flash plug in, which is freely downloadable from the Adobe website.
Due to the confidential nature of the information processed via the INFOSTAT Portal, access to the platform is
only allowed to authorised users.

01/02/2019 Page 3 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

The Authorisation Process

The authorisation process ensures that respondents and the respondent users are fully authorised to access
INFOSTAT and are set up in the system. It also ensures that access rights are effectively assigned to the
respective user in terms of report submission and access to data. The authorisation process involves the
following steps :

1. The CEO of the respondent institution will identify two Senior Administrators.
- The Senior Administrator profiles can view all data pertaining to their institution,
- Senior Administrators can authorise operators to upload data pertaining to specific processes for
their institution,
- Operators will have access restricted only to those processes authorised by the Senior
Administrator.

2. Once the CEO has identified the two Senior Administrators, the CBM will send an email to the Senior
Administrators with an url link to access the Registration and Login Forms of the INFOSTAT Respondents’
Portal.

3. Once the Senior Administrator registers via the online registration page and completes the details, an
email will be automatically sent to his/her mail box, asking him/her to confirm his/her online
registration, by clicking on a specified link. Refer to section 2 below for further details on the
registration form.

4. Once the Self Registration step is complete for both Senior Administrators, the CBM will then forward a
confirmation form for signature. The Senior Administrators are to complete the CBM Official Form and
have it signed by the CEO, or equivalent, for an additional layer of security. This is only required for the
Senior Administrator layer of registration and not the operator. This form will need to be re-submitted if
there is a change in Senior Administrator for the institution.

01/02/2019 Page 4 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

01/02/2019 Page 5 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

5. A scanned electronic version of this form is to be sent by email to CBM on statsreg@[Link]

6. The officially signed hardcopy of the form is also to be sent to CBM Manager Statistical Collection and
Information Management Office.

7. Receipt of the form is necessary to complete and activate the online registration process. CBM will
activate the request for the new profile of the Senior Administrators within 72 hours of receipt of the
electronic form.

8. Once registered, Senior Administrators will need to identify the internal users who will be submitting the
respective data and reports to the CBM. These individuals will have an Operator profile and will need to
be set up by the Senior Administrator within the institution.

9. Operators will subsequently register their details, through the same link used by the Senior
Administrators i.e. [Link] There is no need for the Operators to
complete the signed registration form and send it to the CBM, as management of Operator
authentication and access rights will be managed internally by the Super Administrator within the
Respondent institution.

10. Once Operators input their details on the portal; an email will be automatically sent to their mail box,
asking them to confirm their online registration, by clicking on the specified link.

11. Once the Operators have registered and confirmed their details, Operators will need to make a request
for access to a survey(s) to their Senior Administrator, asking to have their profiles enabled.

12. Senior Administrators can then enable and activate the Operator profile through a Menu in the Portal
Home page in respect of the survey/s that the Operator will have access to. This step sets up the actual
Operator access rights to load up and view data only related to their areas of responsibility. This is
referred to as the Delegation method.

13. The credentials (username and password) chosen by the user during registration will be required for all
further access to INFOSTAT. It is important that this username and password be treated with the full
confidentiality and security as for all passwords; it is to be kept securely and not shared with other users
or institutions.

All INFOSTAT communication uses a secure encryption link via https to access the INFOSTAT services.

For technical inquires and for all matters related to accessing INFOSTAT as well as the use of related services
please send an e-mail to the mailbox: statsinfo@[Link]

01/02/2019 Page 6 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

2. Registration and Authentication

It is necessary to register and have a username and a password in order to access INFOSTAT. This can be
acquired via the registration process on the INFOSTAT portal.

The registration process

provides data which is essential
for access to INFOSTAT,
including a username, an e-mail
address and a password.

The e-mail address which is to

be used to register and sign into
INFOSTAT should be the end
user’s business email address to
confirm the end user
registration and will be used for
all communication related to
the management of the user’s
data such as password changes.

The USERNAME should be

[Link] and the
choice of PASSWORD is free to
each individual, as long as it is
in accordance with the
password rules written on the
form provided. In choosing a
password, pay attention to the
required upper and lower cases.

The user will also need to enter

in a secret question and answer
to be used in the event that a
password is forgotten.

Self-registration assistance can

be accessed by emailing
statsreg@[Link]

01/02/2019 Page 7 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

The Home Page

After the authentication [log-in] process, users will be directed to the INFOSTAT Home Page.

If this is the first login for the user [Operator], the user will need to request authorisation for the specific
surveys to the Senior Administrator. If the operator has not done this step, the operator will not be able to
view, access or upload any data in the system. This important first step is done via selecting the: Request
Access Function as per A below.

The Senior Administrator will then delegate rights to particular surveys on an ‘as needed’ demand basis.
Refer to section 3 below for further information on the Delegation request.

All services related to the submission of data with the CBM are accessed via the “Access to Services”
function on the Home page, once a survey has been selected and clicked on it.

Users that are already authorised will have direct access to the surveys through the “Access Services” button
as per B Below.

01/02/2019 Page 8 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

3. Authorisation Management

The Delegation Request

Operators must request access from their respective Senior Administrator. This can only be done once the
Operator has completed the registration process. Access must be granted by the Senior Administrator prior to
using the INFOSTAT survey services for the preparation and submission of data.
The Access request can be done from the home page of INFOSTAT as per A is section 2 above. In the Access
request window, the user must enter the Partner’s ID number for the organisation on whose behalf the
operator will submit data. This Partner ID number will be forwarded to each institution by the Central Bank
of Malta and will be provided by the Senior Administrator to the Operator upon registration.

Note that this Access request is the first step and is a request only. The actual granting of the access can
only be provided by the Senior Administrator. Once the authorisation process has been completed by the
Senior Administrator, the Operator will then have access to the INFOSTAT services for the preparation and
the transmission of data.

01/02/2019 Page 9 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

Granting Access
For a Senior Administrator to be able to grant access to an Operator who has requested access to a set of
reports, the Senior Administrator must use the “Manage Authorisations” function, which is accessible from
the bar at the top of the main menu.

The Operator requesting the access may also be authorised to act in the role of "manager", which in turn will
provide the user with the authority to further delegate to other users. They can also be authorised to be the
"manager" of an individual survey or survey group. The following screen print shows the Senior Administrators
screen to view and manage all authorisations for the Institution. This screen shows all active authorisations
as well as old, suspended authorisations. It is important for the Senior Administrator to keep this list up to
date, especially if Operators need to be revoked on the system.

01/02/2019 Page 10 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

Managing Authorisations
The authorisation management tool contains the list of possible authorisations that can be assigned to the
Operators. Depending on the user’s role, they may be able to see either a total or partial view of possible
authorisations. The total view is reserved to the "Senior Administrator", who is able to see both their own
authorisations and those of the other users who are authorised on behalf of the respondent. Regular
“Managers” will have a partial view consisting only of the list of their own possible authorisations.

An authorisation can have three different statuses:

o Active : the authorisation is currently in place;
o Suspended : the authorisation request is still pending;
o Revoked: the authorization is closed or revoked.

For each active authorisation the Senior Administrator is allowed to:

o Revoke the authorisation (“Revoke” action);
o Enable access to an individual survey;
o Deny access to a particular survey.

No actions are possible on revoked authorisations.

Any actions required to change the present authorisations (such as granting of a delegation, a revocation or
to update a current authorization) can be carried out by selecting this “Manage Authorisations” function.

01/02/2019 Page 11 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

The Annual Submission Calendar

The "Access to Services" function from the Home page of INFOSTAT takes you to the area of the portal for
data preparation and submission. This page is organized around a submission calendar, also called a
"Schedule". This provides the respondent with the annual summary of its reporting obligations.

The ‘Schedule’ function displays the annual calendar and indicates for each survey what the respondent is
required to submit in terms of periodicity and submission due dates [reporting deadlines].

01/02/2019 Page 12 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

Select the ‘survey’ of Select the the

respondent and
interest reference calendar
year

d'

Click on the tool bar

to view the services
menu

Select the respondent name if the user is authorised to act on behalf of multiple respondents as well as the
calendar year to view the reporting deadlines. The schedule shows the submission deadlines for each survey.
By moving the mouse over a highlighted cell, survey specific data is shown such as the accounting reference
date, the dates when data is permitted to be submitted and the deadlines for the report submission.
When selecting a cell of the schedule, if the data is permitted to be processed, features related to the data
submission are enabled. These features are grouped into two general categories:
 “Data Entry”. This enables functions related to data entry:
o data entry, checking of data, diagnostics, and official transmission;
o ancillary functions such as management of confirmations and message exchange with the
CBM.
 “Upload file function”. This includes services for respondents who don’t use the data entry
function to prepare their submission reports, but rather more automated methods including:

o Up-loading functions and diagnostic functions for external reporting data files; produced by
respondents and compliant with pre-defined formats;

o Transmission of data, confirmation of comments/ remarks, message exchange with the CBM.

By default the service menu shows the functions related to the “data entry” category, switch to other means
of submission by clicking on the reference tool bar.

01/02/2019 Page 13 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

4. The Data Entry Function

The data entry function consists of a set of services available to respondents for compiling, checking and
submitting data to CBM.

It is a virtual space where respondents can enter, edit and check data even across multiple sessions over
time. Any operation carried out in the ‘data entry’ space will not be considered “official” with the CBM, until
the official submission of all data to CBM.

Data entry services are available as follows:

- Survey Management

o The editing function for entering data

o The data display function for displaying data

- Message management

o The diagnostic tool to check data input

o The transmission function to officially submit data to CBM

o The confirmation management tool to review and confirm remarks and comments

o The ability to view any messages sent to or from CBM

- Other Utilities

o Ability to prepare a report from data that has already been transmitted to CBM in the past

o Ability to print the latest data officially transmitted to CBM or data that has already been
entered into the data entry space and is still in a ‘work in progress’ status

Once authorised, users will be able to work on behalf of their respondents using the data entry functions,
will be able to review all messages sent and received for the survey on behalf of the respondent (regardless of
the user who submitted the data), will be able to access the diagnostic function and confirm remarks.

01/02/2019 Page 14 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

Click for editing functions,

Survey /
select the option of interest
reference date
(“Full” vs. “Partial”)

Buttons “Import” and

“Print”

Buttons “Transmit”
and “Check”

01/02/2019 Page 15 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

The “Edit” function

Data entry is done using the “Edit” function. Data editing can be ‘total’, if you want to enter the entire
reporting scheme, or ‘partial’, if you only want to update a specific section of the reporting scheme. In both
cases the “Edit” function activates a panel composed of two sections. The section on the left side shows the
details of the survey, organised in a hierarchical structure (taxonomy) based on the reporting scheme. The
right section shows, for each observation, the data entry frame depending on the structure of data.

Select the observation of

interest to enable data
editing

In order to minimise potential data entry errors, predetermined values are displayed and cannot be modified.

01/02/2019 Page 16 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

Data Entry of a subset of data – “Partial Edit”

You can access the editing function for any single data section by choosing the "Partial edit" option from the
data entry menu. A list will then be displayed showing all the sections of the survey; it is then possible to
select the one of interest in order to edit it.

Select the section of

interest

The “partial edit” option provides functions similar to those of the “full edit” option; the only difference is
that only the information for the section that has been selected is made available for updating.

The function also allows the simultaneous update of the reporting data by different individuals compiling
different portions of the same survey. When a user is updating a specific section, the same section cannot be
available for other users.

01/02/2019 Page 17 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

Data entry of a “single” observation

There is a pre-set ‘mask’ for those observations that are ‘single’ observations, i.e. where the value does not
need to be broken down into further detail. The following is a sample of a mask for the data entry of a single
variable.

Back to the
Schedule

Type the value

Save data Delete data

If a data entry variable is mandatory, then the data entry template will indicate a “check-box” for the
observation in question.

01/02/2019 Page 18 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

Data entry of “multiple” observations

Observations that are required to be broken down into combined values of one or more classification
variables are entered using a template with a matrix structure, where it is possible to insert multiple values
at one time. The screen print below illustrates the template for the data entry of multiple observations at a
time.

TEST

TEST

Click to insert a
new observation

Click to delete the

selected rows

Click to duplicate the

selected rows

01/02/2019 Page 19 of 40
 Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

The Search Function

The ‘search’ function is an effective tool to find and retrieve data. This function is activated by clicking the
“lens” icon that appears when you select a referenced cell.

If the search criteria proves to be too broad, a warning message will be displayed and you will need to refine
the search using more specific criteria. The search function can also be used to minimize the risk of errors
when entering data in order to narrow down the results.

Lists with few options

are shown through a Type a string related to
‘drop-down’ list a code or a description
and press the search
button

01/02/2019 Page 20 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

Validation of Data

When data is saved, the system will automatically check the data values to ensure that they are consistent
with the accepted values for each variable. Errors will be highlighted along with their corresponding rows.

An invalid character
has been entered.
System informs user
of “Wrong format
data”

Saving data will still be allowed even if ‘formal’ errors occur, such as the presence of values which are not in
the region of accepted values. Very few errors result in not being able to save data, these are:

 presence of double observations;

 values that are not compliant with the expected formats (e.g. the presence of alphabetic characters
in a field that has to be numerical).

The ‘editing’ function is blocked when there is an official data submission or diagnostic function in progress;
in these situations, an icon will be in the left section of the screen.

01/02/2019 Page 21 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

List of Data Entry Remarks

Below is a list of possible errors that may occur during data entry:

ERROR ISSUE ISSUE DESCRIPTION SOLUTION

You cannot update the survey Data During data submission/ Please try again at a later
data because, at the time, submission or diagnostic processes it is stage to verify data
other users’ activities are in diagnostic not possible to access availability
progress (information is not process the editing function to
available and therefore cannot underway perform updates
be changed, icons showing the
ongoing processes are shown in
RED)
Duplicated values have been Duplicated Observations with Correct the reported value
observed in the database observation identical values referring for the one or more
to the same classification classification variables that
variables cannot be are inside the duplicated
included in the database row or delete the entire
duplicated row
Variable with a wrong format Wrong format Format of the entered Correct the entered value
values must comply with
the format provided for
the variable
Variable with an unacceptable Wrong value Entered values must Correct the entered value
value correspond to the list of
values accepted for each
variable

01/02/2019 Page 22 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

Displaying Data

The data display function, which is accessed by pressing the “survey: browse” button, has the same display
format as the data entry table; however it is used for the display of data only. On this screen, the functions
for updating data are not present.

Printing data

Data which is stored as working data can be printed by selecting the “print” button. In addition, the data
from the last official submission to the CBM can also be printed by selecting the “data entry” function and
then clicking on the ‘Last delivery data’ option.

It is also possible to print out the differences between the current working data and the data from the last
official submission to the CBM. This option is available only if the data differs from each other. The following
screen illustrates the various print options:

01/02/2019 Page 23 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

Data import

The data entry tool supports the import of data. This function can be selected via the “Utility” section of the
Data Entry menu.

Note: It is not possible to import of data of files exceeding 1 megabyte of size.

In order to facilitate data entry, files from different data sources can also be imported. This function can be
selected by pressing the "import" button. There are two types of data import:

o Total replace: this deletes any data that is already present in the data entry working area and
replaces it with the new data.

o Integration: this appends the data to the data already present in the data entry working area.

The following options are available for the selection of the data source:

- Last date delivered: This option resets the data in the working space with data from the last official
data submission to the CBM for the referenced accounting time. In this case the function completely
replaces all data that was previously present with the newly imported data.

- Previous date: This option resets the data present in the working space with data that has been officially
submitted to the CBM in the previous reference accounting date. In this option, it is possible to import all
data for a previous date or just the date related to a single data section (as indicated). “Partial editing”
is allowed for data sections that are managed separately.

- External file: This option allows the import of data stored on an external file. This function supports the
CSV format (refer to the section: “CSV format – operating instructions”). If the CSV format is chosen, it is
01/02/2019 Page 24 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

important to indicate the “separator” that is used in the CSV file itself. It is possible to import all data or
just the data related to a single data section (as indicated).

When importing data from an external file, users must specify how to manage the possible errors that
may arise during the import itself, such as errors in the data structure or “duplicated” observations; the
following options are available:

o Stop import on error: This option stops the import function and will list the errors along with the
incorrect data;

o Skip errors: In this option the import function will continue however only the import of correct
data will be uploaded. At the end of the import, an error log with all the detected errors will be
provided, along with the incorrect data that was discarded.

TEST

TEST

01/02/2019 Page 25 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

Data export

The data entry tool supports the export of data. This function can be selected via the “Utility” section of the
Data Entry menu.

The "Export" button allows you to produce a CSV file containing the data currently stored inside the working
space for the selected survey and accounting date. This function requires you to specify the source of the
data to be exported, with the following options:

- Working data: data that has been stored in the working space which has not yet been transmitted to the
CBM;

- Last delivery data: data which corresponds with the last official submission to the CBM, irrespective of
the data currently stored in the working space.

It's also possible to only export the ‘structure’ of the survey (the "template") in CSV format. In this case, the
exported file contains no data but the set of variables required by the reference survey. This function is
accessible by the "Template export" link and is useful for populating the data externally prior to loading it
back onto INFOSTAT.

01/02/2019 Page 26 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

CSV FORMATS
In order to save the data in .csv format, press the button title “Generate CSV File” on the main Cover Sheet
of the Excel file. This will automatically create the CSV and saves it on your desktop. This is the file you need
then to select to upload the csv data.

The following screen print illustrates the structure of a CSV data file compiled in Excel for the GES Survey.

01/02/2019 Page 27 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

The Diagnostic Tool

The Diagnostic tool is available to respondents and provides a preliminary verification check of the data
entered, before the official submission of data to the CBM. In all cases, after data submission, such
verification checks will be repeated by the CBM as a precaution. The CBM also reserves the right to perform
additional checks on all data submitted in regards the various uses of each data set.

This Diagnostic tool can be used without any limitations and returns a message after each check with the key
remarks on the errors that were found in the data. These remarks are generated by the diagnostic tool and
are delivered only to the respondents. If there are no errors, the diagnostic tool returns a positive message.

TEST TEST

TEST

An area to add an
optional message from
the respondent

Press to start the

diagnostic tool
The diagnostic tool performs two types of checks:

 Formal checks: these are checks on the validity of the single observation values;

 Deterministic checks: these are check on the consistency between different parts of the data. This
also includes checks on the trends of reported observations which compares data across different
time periods and / or cross-checks against data from different surveys for the same reference date.

01/02/2019 Page 28 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

Data Submission

The data submission function allows respondents to officially submit their reports to CBM.

TEST
TEST

TEST

An area to add an
optional message from
the respondent
Press to start
with the official
data submission

Remarks

Once data is officially submitted, the data is checked by CBM to ensure its consistency, accuracy and
reliability. CBM may also perform additional control checks in addition to the diagnostic checks.

Remarks generated during this process can be accessed in INFOSTAT and it is important that respondents
review and address the remarks in a timely manner. To facilitate this, these remarks are also sent to the
respondents’ mailbox via e-mail.

Respondents can either reply to the remarks by revising their submitted data or by sending a message
confirming that they have taken note of the errors in the data. No remarks are issued if there are no errors in
the data, instead a message is generated with the positive remark

In the case of the absence of any remarks, respondents won’t receive message back.

01/02/2019 Page 29 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

Revisions

The data entry function does not provide a specific function for revising data that has already been
submitted to the CBM, regardless of the delivery method used (e.g.: data entry or upload). Therefore if
respondents choose to revise the data already delivered using the data entry tool, it will be necessary to
create a new complete submission of their data along with the necessary corrections. They will therefore
need to select the reference accounting date from the schedule, and then update their data with the
necessary revisions, saving the changes.

It is possible to view the data updates by using the “print” or “preview changes” functions. The last step is
then to use the “Check” and “Transmit” buttons to validate and submit the data.

TEST TEST

TEST

01/02/2019 Page 30 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

Confirmations

One of the functions in ‘Data entry’ is a specific tool to validate any deterministic checks.

When on the schedule, first select the cell for the specific submission date and then select the ‘confirm’
button. After confirmation a new frame provides a list of all of the deterministic checks that have been sent
to the respondent. When there are no deterministic remarks, then a message will be sent to the user
informing them of the lack of remarks on the dataset.

As such, the template for confirmation management will list all the deterministic remarks as well as any
information that was related to the remarks. In order to confirm a remark, simply select the appropriate
check-box and write in the ’explanatory notes’ column any further comments related to the remark.

Once all of the necessary remarks have been confirmed the template may be updated by selecting the “send
confirmations” button which will forward the messages to CBM.

TEST

‘Check’ to confirm the

remark

01/02/2019 Page 31 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

5. The Upload Function

The upload function enables users to complete the diagnostic reports and transmit these reports to the CBM.

TEST

Select the survey and the reference date

to enable the services menu

An alternative view is to press on “Calendar” button to be able to view the “Agenda” in calendar
format as was in the old version of the respondents’ Portal view system.
Press the “Calendar” button to change
the view

TEST

01/02/2019 Page 32 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

Message Characteristics

Data transmission messages must be in compliance with the expected formats of each survey. The upload
functions verify that formats are consistent with the guidelines; if not, a message will be sent to the user.

This message is placed on the portal and can be viewed using the message display functions (the “Browse” or
“Messages” options on the main menu); it is also sent to respondents’ mailbox.

Note: Ensure that each submission is flagged appropriately as either: "Transmission", "Revision" or
"Confirmation" and indicate the type of file that is being sent. For example, if a second submission is being
sent that is completely separate from the previous one, select "Transmission" and not "Revision".

01/02/2019 Page 33 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

Data diagnostics and submission

The upload functions [accessed through the “Check” or “Transmission” buttons] will display the following
window:

TEST TEST

TEST

An area to add an
optional message from
the respondent
Press to select Press to start
the file to attach with the official
(see also next data submission
figure)

The “Add file” option opens a panel that allows the user to search the file to be submitted and checked on.

Select the file on the

PC

Press “Transmit” to forward the

attached file

01/02/2019 Page 34 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

The diagnostic tool performs three types of checks: a storage check, a formal check and deterministic
checks.

Remarks
Once a dataset is officially submitted, the data is then checked by CBM in order to verify its integrity,
accuracy and reliability. The remarks produced by CBM during this validation phase are the same as those for
the data entry functions.

Revisions
Revisions to data that has already been submitted can be done by revising the file with the specific dataset
or by submitting the file containing the whole dataset. In both cases the submission of the data is completed
by selecting the “Transmit” function.

Confirmations
Respondents who use their own procedures or software to produce a data file will need to forward the
confirmation file as well, using the “transmit” function.

Alternatively, confirmations can be managed via the specific function “Confirm”, in the same way as
described for data entry.

Warnings

Revisions and confirmations must be submitted separately. In addition, revisions and confirmations must have
different production dates. Note: confirmations sent via the Data Entry function assume the date assigned by
the software as the “production date”; revisions / confirmations sent via the Upload Functionality assume
the date indicated in the files as the “production date”.

01/02/2019 Page 35 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

6. Message Management

Message structure
Messages exchanged between respondents and CBM can contain different components, referred to as
“annexes” which consist of datasets, confirmations, remarks and documents.
Each message is assigned a serial number (protocol) with specific details such as the name of the sender and
the date of transmission. If any of the upload functions are used to transmit the message, the respondent
code, the survey code and the production date must also be included in the message, in accordance with
relevant regulations.

Message display

The message display function allows users to view the main components of messages and their annexes. The
message display function has two distinct sections, referred to as ‘sent’ messages (eg. datasets) and
‘received’ messages (eg. remarks, notifications). The search function provides access to view specific
messages in the archive.
The message display function can be activated from the INFOSTAT main menu, by selecting the option
‘Messages’:

Select the option

“Messages”

TEST

01/02/2019 Page 36 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

It will then display the following frame:

TEST TEST

Search for the latest message

Date Filters to set

search criteria for
messages

After selecting the message of interest, a window is opened with its details.
The messages can be downloaded using the icon which appears next to the ‘annex’. However, if the
messages have been sent using the data entry function they cannot be downloaded.

01/02/2019 Page 37 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

The message display function can also be accessed through the calendar. In this case you will only get the
messages related to the selected survey and the survey reference date.

Select the Schedule

date of interest

Press the button

“Browse”

When accessing the message option, the following panel is displayed:

Select options for sent messages or

received messages depending on the
scope of interest

zione della funzione di consultazione

messaggi

TEST TEST

Search for the latest message

Date Filters to set

search criteria for
messages
Select the message of
interest in order to view its
details

01/02/2019 Page 38 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

Related messages

Messages sent and received are often related to one another.

Received messages, in particular, may show a reference to the “original” message that was transmitted (for
example, the remarks message will show a reference to the original message of the official transmission of
data that the remarks were based on); sent messages instead may have an answer message attached to
them.

If there is a reference to another message, it is possible to see the related message by clicking on the
appropriate link; this will open a window with a summary of the information from the original message as
well as the option to download the attached file.

TEST

TEST

Select the icon to download

the file

01/02/2019 Page 39 of 40
Central Bank of Malta INFOSTAT User Guide - version 2.0

Guide to Remarks

The remarks that are communicated with the user include a list of errors that were encountered during the
validation process. These errors will be classified according to type as follows:

Remarks from storage: These specific checks verify the validity of the variables as well as the observation
codes used. These include consistency checks such as accuracy of the header information, the Respondent ID
and the survey date, as well as the accuracy of the ‘control values’ (the record ID, record type and the total
number of records).
In the remarks report the errors provided from storage will also indicate the entire row which has been
affected by the error as well as highlighting the wrong value.

TEST

This type of remark, by definition, does not relate to data submitted via the data entry tool.

Formal remarks: These remarks are produced by validity checks on the data values for each of the
observations. These verify the correctness of the value formats for each variable and as well as their
inclusion in the list of accepted. This check also confirms consistency against previously reported values for
related observations.
Formal errors listed in the remarks report indicate the list of all the observations included in the wrong
record, describing the type of error encountered for each observation.

Deterministic remarks refer to checks that verify the consistency between the various parts of the message.
The deterministic errors in the remarks report provide a description of the aggregates that were compared as
well as their calculated values. For such remarks, if a similar remark had been previously made in a previous
submission, the number of the relevant / related remark will be indicated in brackets.

01/02/2019 Page 40 of 40