Field collection of indicator data often requires extensive planning, training of personnel, coordination of effort, and considerable resources. Coordination is particularly necessary when different collection processes in different areas and jurisdictions are involved. Field sampling programs may entail an on-going, long-term effort and, sometimes, complex equipment.

Once collected, initial low level clean up and summarisation of new data is usually required. This may occur in the database automatically. Indicator data must be screened to ensure they meet established data quality and compatibility standards. The data themselves should reside in a database which is easy to access and use. It should include, or be compatible with, tools used to process, aggregate, summarise and visualise the data.

We should always presume that others after us may want to use the data for new purposes. Clear documentation and definition of the indicators, and of the data which relate to them, including methodology and units used, are essential both for current and possible future uses.

Exploiting existing databases also requires knowledge about location, reliability and collection methods, as well as computing facilities, considerable experience, and, in some cases, extensive processing.