Census and survey tablet provisioning system 

Overview

Overview Image

Our tablet provisioning application is a robust, automated solution designed to streamline the preparation of tablets for digital censuses and surveys across Africa. Traditional manual provisioning is cumbersome and error-prone, especially at scale. Population and housing census requires tens of thousands of tablets to be provisioned, and doing so manually underscores the critical need for automation.

Developed using bash scripting and ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands, our application efficiently copies payloads to designated folder locations on each device and automatically installs all required applications. It also features an integrated quality assurance function that verifies and reports that all payloads have been correctly copied, ensuring every tablet is fully configured and ready for field operations. Already used by Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Togo, Gambia, and Burundi, our solution empowers member states to transition seamlessly to digital data collection.

Key Features

  • Automated Provisioning:

    Leverages powerful Bash scripts and  ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands to automatically install apps, transfer payloads, and configure devices, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual setups.

    Quality Assurance:

    Includes an integrated QA module that checks and reports to ensure all payloads are correctly copied to the target folder locations, enhancing device reliability and consistency.

    Mass Deployment Efficiency:

    Designed for large-scale deployments, making it ideal for scenarios requiring tens or hundreds of thousands of devices, such as national population and housing censuses.

    Comprehensive Application Installation:

    Automatically installs all necessary applications on each tablet, ensuring uniformity and readiness for fieldwork.

    Error Reduction & Consistency:

    Reduces human error by automating repetitive tasks, resulting in consistent, reliable device configurations.

    Customizable Scripts:

    Tailor workflows to country-specific requirements

    Cost & Time Savings:

    Automation significantly reduces labour costs and speeds up deployment, allowing teams to focus on critical field operations.

Use

This application is designed for offices conducting censuses and surveys.

Resources

  • User manual

How to Get Started

Send an official request letter to the African Centre for Statistics (ACS) outlining your interest and requesting a demo. ACS will then work closely with you to customize the solution and provide comprehensive training, ensuring your team is fully equipped to effectively deploy the tablet provisioning application.

Contact

For more information, please email: ecastats@un.org