Telephone tool debuts
TelePromt, software that makes it easy to set up and conduct interviews in person or over the phone, has been introduced by 3D Software Services. The software's features include sample management, auto-dial, cross tabulation, randomization, open-ended responses, forward and backward navigation and import/export routines. TelePromt is available for Windows, MS-DOS and Macintosh. It can run in single- or multi-user mode and costs $299 per user. Demo diskettes can be had for no charge from the company.
SPSS for Mac ships
Chicago-based SPSS Inc. has shipped the Macintosh version of its SPSS 6.1 statistical software. The redesigned version of its core product has a Mac-style user interface that supports System 7 features, integrated graphics, tutorials and several features designed specifically for the Mac, including a toolbar in the graphics editor. The SPSS Base module and SPSS Professional Statistics module have been shipped already. Three other Macintosh modules - SPSS Advanced Statistics, SPSS Tables, SPSS Trends and SPSS Categories are also in the process of shipping. The suggested retail price of the Base module is $695 and add-on modules range from $395 to $495. For current SPSS users, the Base upgrade is $199. Each additional module upgrade is $99.
d-Time10 update
Ballard Synergy Corp., Silverdale, Wash., has released a version 1.1 of its d-Time10 CD-ROM accelerator software. A CD-ROM accelerator makes CD-ROM applications perform as fast as they would if they were running on the computer's hard drive. Basically, on a Quad-speed CD-ROM drive, the product can do a database search that normally takes 20 minutes in one minute. Data transfers are roughly eight times faster. Slower drives are speeded up even more dramatically. The software has a Windows help program with full-motion video.
IRI issues IRI Publishing
IRI Software, the Waltham, Mass.-based software division of Information Resources Inc., has released IRI Publishing, a sophisticated CD-ROM database and software deli very system that provides users with access to IRI's client customized InfoScan Census scanning data. IRI Publishing's CD-ROM capabilities allows for the direct delivery of updated databases to PC platforms; the databases can then be copied to a LAN. The system allows users to access data without calling into a mainframe. IRI Publishing also allows for the customization of software and data, so clients can receive user-specific information with downloading an entire database. IRI Publishing does not require communications software, and updated CD- ROM databases are delivered each month.
KidTracker moves into visual satisfactions
Theraplan Inc, and Regulus Communications Inc., Lincoln, Neb., have expanded the KidTracker Market Research program. The program now tests pre-teens' and teens' visual satisfaction with products and services. Using Internet and multimedia CD technology, the program can place full-color graphics onto any desktop computer with an e-mail address. Responses from a customized panel can be received within 24 hours. The companies say the new program eliminates the need for prototype testing with simulated products and four-color printing. The companies' new system can test new packaging designs, packaging copy, the "visual candy" that helps attract attention to a product, the influences of interactive information on marketing programs, what kids buy and why they buy it based on the visual language of media designs, and the level of "visual interactivity" required to transfer product or program information to kids. The KidTracker Market Report tracks young customers' satisfaction via products and brand interaction.
Investext adds to MarkIntel database
The Boston-based Investext Group has added industrial market research studies from the Freedonia Group to its list of online offerings in the MarkIntel database of industry and market intelligence reports. The studies provide comprehensive analysis of industries and products in a broad range of United States and worldwide sectors. The Freedonia Group specializes in the plastics, transportation, chemicals, communications, construction, health care, household good, industrial components and packaging industries. The online studies cover subjects such as competitive strategies, growth markets and products, industry structure and overview, market share data and opportunity and risk assessments. The reports can be used for market and corporate analysis, as well as strategic planning. Approximately 10 to 12 new studies from the Freedonia Group will be added to the MarkIntel database each month. The Freedonia Group is an international multi client business/research database company that does all of the writing, editing and compilation of its data in-house.
NFO Multicard Survey adds households
NFO Research Inc., Greenwich, Conn., has increased the number of households that receive its Multicard shared-cost mail survey. The Multicard mailing will be sent to 250,000 homes. The company says its NFO Multicard Survey is the largest mail omnibus survey in the market research industry. The survey allows companies wanting to conduct marketing research among consumers an opportunity to the share the cost of mailing questionnaires. The Multicard Survey consists of a packet of questionnaire cards that contain questions contributed by each client. The survey mailings are sent on the first and 15th day of each month to nationally representative samples of households selected from NFO's 450,000 household panel.
NCS beefs up offerings with Viewpoint, scanner software
National Computer Systems. Minneapolis, has developed the NCS Viewpoint satisfaction measurement system to simply, and reduce the cost of, evaluating patient satisfaction. Data garnered from the surveys can be used by hospitals, group practices, care facilities and others to evaluate patient care, monitor marketing efforts and meet quality measurement standards set by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and National Committee for Quality Assurance. The system creates survey forms that are attractive and simple for patients to fill out and return. Information on the completed survey forms can be tabulated quickly and accurately. The system includes an OpScan 3 scanner that reads patient survey responses quickly and easily, the NCS Viewpoint software and customizabIe starter survey forms. With the software, users can customize forms, print the forms on a laser printer, scan the returned forms, download patient information, tabulate survey responses and prepare graphs and charts to summarize the survey results. The NCS Viewpoint system, with 400 starter survey forms, has a base price of $5,995. Organizations that already have an OpScan scanner for processing other data can purchase the Viewpoint software and starter forms at a one-time price of $695.
Meanwhile, NCS is also offering a series of Windows-based software products that allow users to input information from a form automatically, without key entry. The products work with NCS optical mark read scanners and scannable forms. NCS' Windows-based forms-processing software, ScanTools, makes it easy to use a data-entry scanner. Menu-driven screens and point-and-click commands make forms scanning simple to incorporate into and use with most PC applications programs. NCS also has introduced DesignExpert software, for designing scannable forms, and NCS Survey, a statistical reporting software package. In addition to the software, NCS provides related services tailored to the new ScanTools software, including training, custom programming, software consulting, scannable forms design and printing and support service.
Fry launches vinyl survey
Fry Consultants Inc., Atlanta, has started a comprehensive multiclient study of the North American vinyl window and door industry. The projects will examine all aspects of the vinyl window and door industry, projecting trends through the year 2000. The study will have an emphasis on production, marketing, construction materials, distribution and competition with wood, aluminum, FRP, steel and other materials. The study will include comprehensive secondary research, plus telephone and personal interviews with 200 builders, building supply organizations, contractors, dealers and distributors, home centers, jobbers, lumberyards, resin manufacturers, window and door manufacturers, profile extruders and other key respondent organizations. The pre-publication subscription price of the study is $4,500; after-publication price will be $5,400.
Spatial Insights offers demographics
Spatial Insights, Vienna, Va., offers geographically referenced demographic data, market potential data, lifestyle segmentation data, business locations, road networks and traffic counts - all based on spatially modeled, site-specific trade areas. The company maintains that the incorporation of sophisticated gravity-based models into the definition of trade areas provides more accurate representations and leads to better, more reliable siting decisions than those based on simple radial distances. Spatial Insights uses spatial interaction and patronage probability models to define and delineate trade areas, and provides the geographically referenced data to end users in GIS-ready formats.