Survey of Service Industries: Software Development and Computer Services, 2009 - Characteristics Questionnaire

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A - Introduction

If necessary, please make address label corrections in the boxes below.

  • 1: Legal name
  • 2: Business name
  • 3: Title of contact
  • 4: First name of contact
  • 5: Last name of contact
  • 6: Address (number and street)
  • 7: City
  • 8: Province/territory or state
  • 9: Country
  • 10: Postal code/ zip code

What is your language of preference?

  • 1: English
  • 2: French

Purpose

This survey collects the financial and operating data needed to develop national and regional economic policies and programs.

Authority

This information is collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19.

COMPLETION OF THIS QUESTIONNAIRE IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT UNDER THIS ACT.

Confidentiality

The Statistics Act protects the confidentiality of information collected by Statistics Canada. Your answers are confidential.

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information from this survey which would identify a person, business, or organization, without their prior consent. The confidentiality provisions of the Statistics Act are not affected by either the Access to Information Act or any other legislation. Therefore, for example, the Canada Revenue Agency cannot access identifiable survey data from Statistics Canada.

These survey data will only be used for statistical purposes and will be published in an aggregate form only.

Data-sharing agreements

To reduce respondent burden, Statistics Canada has entered into data sharing agreements with provincial and territorial statistical agencies and other government organizations, which must keep the data confidential and use them only for statistical purposes. Statistics Canada will only share data from this survey with those organizations that have demonstrated a requirement to use the data.

Section 11 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with provincial and territorial statistical agencies that meet certain conditions. These agencies must have the legislative authority to collect the same information, on a mandatory basis, and the legislation must provide substantially the same provisions for confidentiality and penalties for disclosure of confidential information as the Statistics Act. Because these agencies have the legal authority to compel businesses to provide the same information, consent is not requested and businesses may not object to the sharing of the data.

For this survey, there are Section 11 agreements with the provincial and territorial statistical agencies of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon.

The shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Section 12 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with federal, provincial or territorial government organizations. Under Section 12, you may refuse to share your information with any of these organizations by writing a letter of objection to the Chief Statistician and returning it with the completed questionnaire. Please specify the organizations with which you do not want to share your data.

For this survey, there are Section 12 agreements with the statistical agencies of Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

For agreements with provincial and territorial government organizations, the shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Record linkage

To enhance the data from this survey, Statistics Canada may combine it with information from other surveys or from administrative sources.

Security of emails and faxes

Statistics Canada advises you that there could be a risk of
disclosure during facsimile or other electronic transmission.
However, upon receipt, Statistics Canada will provide the
guaranteed level of protection afforded all information collected
under the authority of the Statistics Act.

Return procedures

Please return the questionnaire within 30 days.
Please mail the completed questionnaire in the enclosed envelope or
fax it to Statistics Canada at 1-888-883-7999.
Lost the return envelope or need help? Call us at 1-888-881-3666 or mail to:
Statistics Canada, Operations and Integration Division, 150 Tunney's Pasture Driveway, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0T6

Reporting instructions

- Report for business unit(s) specified on the label on the front page.

- Complete only the questions that apply to your business.

- When precise figures are not available, please provide your best estimate.

- Report in Canadian dollars. Dollar amounts and percentages should be rounded to whole numbers.

- Consult the reporting guide for further information.

B Main business activity

Software publishers

This industry comprises commercial units primarily engaged in publishing computer software, usually for multiple clients and generally referred to as packaged software. Establishments in this industry carry out operations necessary for producing and distributing computer software, such as designing, providing documentation, assisting in installation and providing support services to software purchasers. These establishments may design and publish, or publish only.

Data processing, hosting, and related services

This industry comprises commercial units primarily engaged in providing hosting or data processing services. Hosting establishments may provide specialized hosting activities, such as web hosting, streaming services or application hosting, or may provide general time-share mainframe facilities to clients. Data processing establishments may provide complete processing and preparation of reports from data supplied by the customer; specialized services, such as automated data entry; or they may make data processing resources available to clients on an hourly or time-sharing basis.

Computer systems design and related services

This industry comprises commercial units primarily engaged in providing expertise in the field of information technologies through one or more activities, such as writing, modifying, testing and supporting software to meet the needs of a particular customer. This includes: the creation of Internet home pages; planning and designing computer systems that integrate hardware, software and communication technologies; on-site management and operation of clients'computer and data processing facilities; providing advice in the field of information technologies; and other professional and technical computer-related services.

B Main business activity - Question identifier:1.

Please describe the nature of your business.

To ensure that you have received the appropriate questionnaire, you are asked to describe the nature of your business. The description should briefly state the main activities of your business unit.

B Main business activity - Question identifier:2.

Please check the one main activity which most accurately represents your main source of revenue.

Software publishers

Include:
- computer software publishing (including designing and developing), packaged;
- computer software, all formats, packaged, publishers;
- games, computer software, packaged, publishers;
- publishers, packaged computer software, all formats.
Exclude:
- mass duplication of software;
- reselling packaged software;
- publishing software exclusively on the Internet;
- providing access to software for clients from a central host site;
- custom designing software to meet the needs of specific users.

Data processing, hosting, and related services

Include:
- application hosting;
- automatic data processing, computer services;
- computer input preparation services;
- computer processing;
- computer time-sharing services;
- computer time, rental;
- computer processing services;
- data entry services;
- data processing, computer services;
- disk and diskette conversion services;
- leasing of computer time;
- microfilm recording and imaging service;
- optical scanning data services;
- service bureaus, computer;
- web hosting.
Exclude:
- processing financial transactions;
- computer facilities management;
- data keying or keypunch services, text processing or desktop publishing;
- access to microcomputers and office equipment from a retail location.

Computer systems design and related services

Include:
- application software programming services, custom;
- CAD/CAM systems services;
- CAE (computer-aided engineering) systems services;
- computer consulting services;
- computer disaster recovery services;
- computer facilities management services;
- computer hardware consulting services;
- computer programming services, custom;
- computer programs or systems software development, custom;
- computer software consulting services;
- computer software programming services, custom;
- computer software systems analysis and design, custom;
- computer systems analysis and design services;
- computer systems design consulting services;
- computer systems integrators;
- computer-aided design (CAD) systems services;
- data processing facilities management services;
- design and system analysis, computer services (software);
- facilities management services, computer;
- facilities support services, computer;
- information management system design services, computer;
- Internet page design services, custom;
- local area network (LAN) systems integrators;
- management information systems design consulting services;
- office automation, computer systems integration;
- requirements analysis, computer hardware;
- software installation services;
- systems engineering (system integration);
- systems integration, computer;
- web page developing.
Exclude:
- retailing computer hardware and software and providing support services;
- publishing packaged software;
- providing data processing services.

  • 1.: Software publishers: business units primarily engaged in publishing and developing packaged computer software
  • 2.: Data processing, hosting and related services: business units primarily engaged in Web hosting, streaming services, application hosting, processing and preparation of reports from data supplied by the customer, optical
    scanning data service, data entry and validation, etc.
  • 3.: Computer systems design and related services: business units primarily engaged in computer information technology consulting, developing custom software, designing systems and networks, developing and analyzing systems, computer programming to meet a customer's specifications
  • 4.: None of the above - Please call 1-888-881-3666 for further instructions.

C - Reporting period information

C - Reporting period information - Question identifier:1.

Please report information for your fiscal year (normal business year) ending between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010. Please indicate below the period covered by this questionnaire.

  • 1: Date from (YYYY MM DD) to (YYYY MM DD)
  • 2: Date to (yyyy mm dd)

C - Reporting period information - Question identifier:2.

If the reporting period does not cover a full year, please check the reason(s) below:

  • 1: seasonal operations
  • 2: new business
  • 3: change of fiscal year
  • 4: change of ownership
  • 5: ceased operations
  • 6: temporarily inactive

D and E - Not applicable

F - Industry Characteristics

Sales breakdown by products

Please provide a breakdown of your sales, indicating amounts in either Canadian dollars or percentages.

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:1.

Information technology (IT) technical consulting services

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:2.

Custom software design and development services

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:a)

Website design and development services

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:b)

Database design and development services

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:c)

Customization and integration of packaged software

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:d)

Other custom software development services

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:3.

Computer systems and network design and development services

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:a)

Network design and development services (include network security design)

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:b)

Computer systems design, development and integration services

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:4.

Hosting and information technology (IT) infrastructure provisioning services (e.g., Website hosting, application service provisioning, business process management services, collocation, data storage and management)

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:5.

IT infrastructure and network management services

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:a)

Network management services

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:b)

Computer systems management services

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:6.

Information and document transformation services (e.g., imaging, data conversion, and migration)

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:7.

IT technical support services (for hardware or software; include disaster recovery services)

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:8.

Software publishing

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:a)

System software (include programming languages)

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:b)

Application software (include entertainment and game software)

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:9.

Re-sale of computer hardware and software (retail and wholesale; include resale of end-use software licenses)

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:10.

IT related training services

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:11.

All other sales (please specify):

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:12.

Total sales (sum of questions and sub-questions 1 to 11)

Innovation, research and development and other

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:1.

Please estimate the percentage (%) of total revenues generated by new or substantially improved products or services introduced by your firm during the three-year period 2007-2009.

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:2.

Of your total expenses, please estimate the percentage (%) related to product research and development.

F - Industry Characteristics - Question identifier:3.

Did your firm generate any revenues from developing or publishing gaming software products?

  • 1: yes, please report percentage of total revenues attributed to gaming products
  • 2: no

G - Personnel

G - Personnel - Question identifier:1.

Number of partners and proprietors, non-salaried (if salaried, report at question 2 below)

For unincorporated businesses, please report the number of partners and proprietors for whom earnings will be the net income of the partnership or proprietorship.

G - Personnel - Question identifier:2.

Paid employees

G - Personnel - Question identifier:a)

Average number of paid employees during the reporting period (see reporting guide)

To calculate the average number employed, add the number of employees in the last pay period of each month of the reporting period and divide this sum by the number of months (usually 12).
Exclude:
- partners and proprietors, non-salaried reported
at question 1 above.

G - Personnel - Question identifier:b)

Percentage of paid employees (from question 2a) who worked full time

Full-time employment consists of persons who usually work 30 hours or more per week. Please specify the percentage of paid employees who have been working full time by rounding the percentage to the nearest whole number.

G - Personnel - Question identifier:3.

Number of contract workers for whom you did not issue a T4, such as freelancers and casual workers (estimates are acceptable)

Contract workers are not employees, but workers contracted to perform a specific task or project in your organization for a specific duration, such as self-employed persons, freelancers and casual workers. These workers are not issued a T4 information slip. Please report the number of contract workers employed by your organization during the fiscal year.

H - Sales by type of client

Please provide a percentage breakdown of your sales by type of client.

H - Sales by type of client - Question identifier:1.

Clients in Canada

H - Sales by type of client - Question identifier:a)

Businesses

Percentage of sales sold to the business sector should be reported here.
Include:
- sales to Crown corporations.

H - Sales by type of client - Question identifier:b)

Individuals and households

Please report the percentage of sales to individuals and households who do not represent the business or government sector.

H - Sales by type of client - Question identifier:c)

Governments, not-for-profit organizations and public institutions (e.g., hospitals, schools)

Percentage of sales to federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments should be reported here.
Include:
- sales to hospitals, schools, universities and public utilities.

H - Sales by type of client - Question identifier:2.

Clients outside Canada

Total: 100%

I - Sales by client location

Please ensure that the sum of percentages reported in this section equals 100%.

The percentage in question 14 must equal question 2 in section H.

Please provide a percentage breakdown of your sales by client location (first point of sale).

  • 1: Newfoundland and Labrador
  • 2: Prince Edward Island
  • 3: Nova Scotia
  • 4: New Brunswick
  • 5: Quebec
  • 6: Ontario
  • 7: Manitoba
  • 8: Saskatchewan
  • 9: Alberta
  • 10: British Columbia
  • 11: Yukon
  • 12: Northwest Territories
  • 13: Nunavut
  • 14: Clients outside Canada (must equal question 2 in section H)

Total: 100%

J - International transactions

Exports

J - International transactions

Exports - Question identifier:
1.

Did you receive revenue from clients outside Canada for the export of goods, services, royalties, rights, licensing or franchise fees?

  • 1: yes, complete questions 2, 3 and 4
  • 2: no, go to question 5

J - International transactions

Exports - Question identifier:
2.

Please report revenue received from exports. (Please report in Canadian dollars)

J - International transactions

Exports - Question identifier:
3.

Please provide a percentage breakdown of exports by:

  • a): goods
  • b): services
  • c): royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees

Total: 100%

J - International transactions

Exports - Question identifier:
4.

Please provide a percentage breakdown of exports by country:

  • a): United States
  • b): Mexico
  • c): other countries (please specify):

Total: 100%

Imports

This section is intended to measure the value of international transactions on goods, services, and royalties and licences fees. It covers imported services and goods purchased outside Canada as well as the value of exported services and goods to clients/customers outside Canada. Please report also royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees paid to and/or received from outside Canada. Services cover a variety of industrial, professional, trade and business services.

Imports - Question identifier:5.

Did you make payments to suppliers outside Canada for the import of goods, services, royalties, rights, licensing or franchise fees?

  • 1: yes, complete questions 6, 7 and 8
  • 2: no, go to next section

Imports - Question identifier:6.

Please report payments made for imports. (Please report in Canadian dollars)

Imports - Question identifier:7.

Please provide a percentage breakdown of imports by:

  • a): goods
  • b): services
  • c): royalties, rights, licensing and franchise fees

Total: 100%

Imports - Question identifier:8.

Please provide a percentage breakdown of imports by country:

  • a): United States
  • b): Mexico
  • c): other countries (please specify):

Total: 100%

Not applicable

L - Contact information

Name of person to contact about this questionnaire:

  • 1: Mr.
  • 2: Mrs.
  • 3: Miss
  • 4: Ms
  • 1: Last name
  • 2: First name
  • 3: Title
  • 4: Telephone number
  • 5: Extension number
  • 6: Fax number
  • 7: E-mail address
  • 8: Website address

I certify that the information contained herein is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge.

  • 1: yyyy mm dd

M - Comments

We invite your comments below. Please be assured that we review all comments with the intent of improving the survey.

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