A Blaise® licensee has two formal vehicles for interacting both with other Blaise users and with Statistics Netherlands:
IBUG is an independent organization open to all Blaise users from around the world. The group maintains the International Blaise Users Group (IBUG) [*] web site, publishes a periodic newsletter, and hosts a users' conference about every 18 months. During the 3-day conference, Blaise users present papers and conduct sessions covering a wide range of issues. Blaise developers from Statistics Netherlands also present Blaise development plans. Users may provide suggestions or comments directly to the Blaise development team. IBUG publishes the conference proceedings.
Organizations that have purchased a corporate-level Blaise license are eligible to be a member of BCLUB. BCLUB members include large government statistical agencies in Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia, as well as other research organizations. BCLUB meets annually to discuss usage and plans for Blaise as these relate to Statistics Netherlands' development plans and priorities.
Statistics Netherlands organizes and oversees the BCLUB. It also schedules meetings and conducts BCLUB communications with users.
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