Statistical Disclosure Control

τ-ARGUS home page

Introduction

τ-ARGUS is a software program designed to protect statistical tables. It is one of the main results of the CASC-project.
A previous version of τ-ARGUS, as developed during the SDC-project, served as a starting point.

After a test-phase (coordinated by IStat) version 3 was the final release of the CASC-project. However we have continued our efforts, also thanks to the ESSNet-project and at the end of the ESSNet project version 3.4.1 is available.

Major new extensions are the reading of SPSS-system files, inclusion of the audit-routine, negative values in Modular and the generation of a-priory files.

In version 3.5 linked tables can be protected suimultaneously, both with the modular approach as well as the hypercube

You can get version 3.5.0 (Build 26) here. UnZip the file in a temp-directory and run the install.bat procedure). (15 April 2013).

Please note that this version includes the 2012 release of XPress.

See the Manual 3.5 for more information. If you would like to receive a printed copy of the manual, please write an email to Anco Hundepool

For users of the SBS-format a conversion program to convert SBS-files to τ-ARGUS files can be downloaded here
This version includes a routine to import the ARGUS output in the original SBS file.

Optimisation solvers

For the calculation of an optimal pattern of secondary suppressions τ-ARGUS uses a LP-solver. Due to the complexity of the mathematical problems involved we use high quality commercial LP-solvers. Traditionally we use the Xpress-MP solver made by FICO.
We are very grateful for the friendly cooperation and support by FICO. FICO has taken over the responsability for XPress from Dash Optimisation. The 3.4 version of τ-ARGUS requires a licence for XPress2009.

Alternatively CPlex can be used, e.g. for those users who already have a licence for CPlex and who want to use that solver.

Although τ-ARGUS is free software (a result of a European 5^th Framework project), these solvers are commercial products. You can download the τ-ARGUS software from this page, but you have to obtain a licence for one of these solvers yourself, directly from the suppliers.

All questions related to τ-ARGUS (including questions on the installation and use of these solvers) should be directed to Anco Hundepool.

For the conditions to obtain Xpress-MP (including updates) see the 2010 pricelist here

A summary of the installation procedure for τ-ARGUS can be found here

For floating XPress licences a new licene manager has been develloped by FICO
The software can be downloaded here and a description can be found here

An upgrade for the XPress drivers for Windows XP can be found here

For the conditions to obtain CPlex see here