Electronic typewriter study
Electronic typewriters have made dramatic progress in terms of both product development and market penetration since they were first introduced in 1978. Price declines have played a major part in the increasing appeal of electronic type-writers, but even more important has been the availability of new product features. The challenge for manufacturers, however, is that future market growth will be unlikely as saturation is rapidly being approached. Competition with other types of text production equipment as well as within the product category will be intense in coming years. Venture Development Corp. offers a report on the full-size office electronic typewriter market to help manufacturers chart a successful course through the turbulent times ahead. The study covers full-size office electronic typewriters which weigh 25-70 Ib., have 15-in. carriage or greater, a maximum paper capacity of 15-21 in. and a print speed of more than 15 characters per second. Contact Marc Regberg, Venture Development Corp., One Apple Hill, P.O. Box 9000, Natick MA 01760-9904.
Health care service
Dr. Murray Simon of D-R-S Healthcare Consultants, in partnership with Louis J. Pappalardo, announces the inauguration of Healthcare Probe, a unique service to provide marketing research with the health care practitioner and consumer on a regional or national basis. The company has developed and trained a nationwide field survey team of medical and dental students to conduct telephone surveys with physicians, dentists and other health related professionals. This new survey team provides a significant expansion of the company's existing consumer capabilities.
Computer encoder
AccuCode II, a second generation automated ICD-9-CM encoder for mainframe computers, is now available from the Commission on Professional and Hospital Activities (CPHA) through a network of distributors. The use of AccuCode II can reduce coding errors, optimize efficiency, improve and speed reimbursement, and save computer time. Created by CPHA nosologists, classification experts who were instrumental in the development of ICD-9-CM and DRGs, AccuCode II can be integrated with most existing in-house patient information management systems. It is designed for use by coders at all levels of expertise. Contact CPHA, 1968 Green Rd., P.O. Box 1809, Ann Arbor Ml 48106.
Direct marketing software
SPSS Inc. announces Direct Test, a micro-based, decision-support software program for direct marketers. Direct Test provides users with the ability to evaluate direct marketing test activities. This helps ensure maximum response rates at the highest profitability when the promotion is rolled out. SPSS Inc., an investor in the product's development, holds exclusive marketing rights to Direct Test. Previously, the product was marketed and sold by FCB/Direct Marketing Systems. Direct Test runs on IBM PC/XT, PC/AT and compatible computers with hard disk and a minimum of 512K internal memory. Contact SPSS Inc., 444 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago 60611.
Consumer publication
Keep up-to-date on consumer and public opinion trend information on topics that business and government are currently facing with Cambridge Reports Trends & Forecasts. Provided by Trends & Forecasts, this publication is designed to be not just a newsletter but also a customized information service which provides access to the company's Cambridge Reports consumer and public opinion trend database. The information each month is exclusively-generated for readers and taken from the company's series of quarterly national research studies done for over 750 of the country's major corporations and institutions. Contact Gene Pokorny, Trends & Forecasts, 675 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge MA 02139.
Forecasting system
Wisard Software Co. announces Wisard Forecaster, a low-cost, accurate and easy-to-use time series forecasting package primarily for Lotus users. Using artificial intelligence and expert system logic, the Wisard forecaster uses four statistical forecasting techniques and then combines the results to create a final forecast. The system is designed to extract data directly from a 1-2-3 or Symphony spreadsheet without any special file translations. It can place the resulting forecasts and related data directly into the same spreadsheet, or create a new spreadsheet containing the information. The printing routines and graphics capabilities of Lotus can then be used to further examine the information. Contact Wisard Soft-ware Co., P.O. Box 19730, Green Bay, WI 54307-9730.
Business database
National Decision Systems announces Business-Facts, the marketing information division of NDS dedicated to providing more useful business information for better marketing solutions. Using a comprehensive and highly-refined database of over eight million businesses and combining it with proprietary software systems and geographical enhancements, NDS has developed leading-edge business marketing information products and services. These applications-oriented services provide "actionable" marketing information which enables knowledgeable decision making. Contact the NDS Business-Facts Department, NDS, 539 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas CA 92024.
Customized research division
FIND/SVP announces the creation of the Strategic Research Division to serve business's expanding need for custom market research, competitive intelligence, surveys and other in-depth research. Designed to go beyond the scope of FIND/ SVP's Quick Information Service, the new division will perform a wide variety of customized studies and assignments using a combination of primary and secondary research techniques. The division has already begun operating with a staff of more than a dozen research professionals and analysts led by a new managing director. FIND/SVP's Strategic Research Division can help companies define market opportunities, plan for expansion, develop new products, assess the competitive environment, improve distribution channels, analyze the dynamics of a particular industry and study market segmentation. Contact FIND/SVP, 500 Fifth Ave., New York City 10110.