New version of Compass available

A new version of Compass marketing software has been released by Claritas/NPDC. Compass allows users to integrate, analyze, and map small-area demographics, PRIZM lifestyle segmentation, media databases, product-usage data, street mapping files, any of 60 specialized databases, and their own customer or prospect data. It runs customized or pre-designed reports and maps for strategic planning, site location, media planning, direct mail, sales planning, and other consumer marketing functions.

The new Compass 5.0 offers a simplified menu and pre-designed applications that follow the logic of precision marketing. The menu is organized by four key marketing questions:

  • Who are my targets?
  • What are they like?
  • Where can I find them?
  • How can I reach them?

Compass 5.0 also runs a number of reports and maps faster, provides map exporting to other software packages in Hewlett Packard Graphics Language (HPGL) format, and provides batch processing to create and store reports or maps for batched printing later. It is available with complete street mapping, using the TIGER files from the Bureau of the Census. Polygon definition and finer zoom capabilities allow for greater precision in map and area definition.

By mid-year 1992, Compass 5.0 will provide pay-as-you-go access to additional databases via modem including specialized data for retail sales potential, health care data, Yellow Pages directory areas, and crime data. These databases are maintained on MAX 3D, Claritas/NPDC's on-line marketing system.

Reference book compiles private companies and their affiliations Numerical coding of corporate affiliations, a larger size and new format, a new name, CD-ROM and online availability, and first-time listings for more than 800 companies are the biggest changes in the 1992 edition of the Directory of Leading Private Companies, including Corporate Affiliations, published by National Register Publishing Company (NRPC).

The Directory is a business and professional reference source that provides in-depth information about major privately owned companies and their subsidiaries, divisions and affiliates. The 1992 edition introduces a simple numerical order format that shows, at a glance, not just the existence of subsidiary companies, but the exact relationship of each operating unit to other units, and to the parent company. The 1992 edition contains listings for over 7,000 parent companies and their more than 15,000 subsidiaries. Beginning in April, the Directory will be available on CD-ROM discs through Dialog OnDisc from Dialog Information Services, and on-line through Dialog File 513. For more information write: NRPC, 3004 Glenview Road, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Surveys provide data on physicians who manage home health care

Business Mailers Inc. (BMI) announces the availability of a new database that profiles physicians who manage home health care patients. In 1991, BMI surveys indicated that more than 31,000 doctors across all specialties treated home health care patients, and studies show that home health care is growing at a rate of 30 percent per year.

BMFs data on home health care was compiled from self-administered surveys that were distributed to doctors who received the 1992 Physician's Desk Reference. BMI asked doctors to indicate the number of home health care patients they treat, the ages of their patients, the types of home health care they prescribe, and the payer mix percentage (Medicare/Medicaid) of their patients. Response data and trend reports are expected to be available in April.

This new database from BMI is derived from the company's Treatment Oriented Profiles (TOP/s) database, which is a physician targeting and profiling tool. TOP/s identifies doctors based on a variety of practice characteristics, including the diseases they treat, the numbers of patients they treat for each disease, and the methods of treatment they use. TOP/s can provide marketers with data on more than 250,000 physicians and their patient volume, and prescribing patterns for more than 200 diseases and 750 drugs. 

Update of forecasting software

Delphus, Inc. has released a new version of 4CAST/2, a business forecasting and graphical data analysis package for market planners and financial analysts. In addition to the existing complement of statistical forecasting procedures, Version 4.0 enhancements include a new user interface, context-sensitive help screens and additional graphics features to display "hi-lo-close" plots for stock market and commodity prices data.

The new features in version 4.0 include:

  • Completely menu-driven with pull-down menus and pop-up windows, de-signed in a manner to follow the natural steps of a forecasting process.
  • Multi-color, split-screen VGA graphics with cursor to track historical data, forecasts, and model output.
  • Automated and interactive Box-Jenkins models for seasonal and non-seasonal data.

In addition to the new Box-Jenkins modeling capability, the program offers a range of statistical forecasting tools. These include models for exponential smoothing, seasonal decomposition, long-term trending, structuring product promotions, life-cycle analysis, pricing studies, multiple and stepwise regression as well as a variety of data analysis tools for transforming, relabeling and adjusting data. In addition, there is a simple programming language to perform ad-hoc analyses for procedures not contained in the menu-driven system. Version 4.0 runs on IBM or close compatible, requires 640K RAM, a hard disk, and DOS 2.1 or beyond.