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Empowering Citizen Developers with Open Source
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Statistics Canada | Statistique Canada

The Zone: A Modern Data Science Platform

Empowering Citizen Developers with Open Source


What is The Zone?

Integrated Data Science Platform

  • Unified environment: JupyterLab, RStudio, VS Code
  • Multi-language support: Python, R, and SAS
  • Built on Kubeflow & Kubernetes for scalability

Key Benefits

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Why Choose The Zone?

  • Cost Efficiency: Pay only for resources you use
  • Flexibility: Create workspaces of any size
  • Open Source Foundation: Eliminate expensive licenses

What is Kubeflow?

The Engine Behind The Zone

  • Container-based workflow system on Kubernetes
  • Simplifies environment creation and experiment tracking
  • Enables reproducible data science at scale

Access & Status

Platform Adoption

  • Access: https://zone.statcan.gc.ca with enterprise credentials
  • Users: 2,000+ onboarded, 120+ concurrent daily
  • Performance: Auto-scaling handles peak loads efficiently

Best Practices

Optimizing Your Workflow

  • Start Small: Scale resources as needed to control costs
  • Smart Data: Use databases instead of copying data
  • Version Control: Track changes with Git for reproducibility

Tools & Environments

Development Options

  • JupyterLab: Interactive computing with rich visualizations
  • RStudio: Dedicated R environment with statistical tools
  • VS Code: Full-featured editor with multi-language support

SAS Support

Transition to Open Source

  • Built-in Compatibility: Run SAS code without expensive licenses
  • Cost Savings: Reduce licensing fees while preserving investments
  • Migration Path: Gradual transition to modern open-source tools

Limitations

Current Challenges

  • Legacy Systems: Performance issues with old SMB shares
  • Learning Curve: Training needed for containerized environments
  • Resource Planning: Requires careful allocation for large deployments

Future

Platform Evolution

  • Pipeline Modernization: Transforming cronjobs into Kubeflow Pipelines
  • Enhanced Visualization: New tools for sharing graphical analysis
  • Continuous Innovation: Expanding capabilities based on user needs
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