Major health care systems profiled in national directory
Over 11,650 affiliated provider organizations are identified in the new edition of The National Directory of Integrated Healthcare Delivery Systems Database on CD-ROM. The database profiles contain 227 fields of information and include more than 6,000 executive contact names. The directory includes full profile information on more than 830 integrated delivery systems throughout the country. The file has just undergone a reverification and updating in response to mergers and acquisitions, closures of facilities and departures from certain regions or markets.
Nineteen fields of executive contact names are provided in the database, including president!CEO, chief financial officer, chief information officer, capital equipment purchasing officer, medical supplies purchasing officer, pharmaceutical purchasing officer, network development/contracring officer, and compliance officer. Users are able to search by system affiliations, statistics and service state.
Total Census package available
Geolytics has created three new packages: Census 2000 designed for the person who wants all of the current 2000 data; Census Reference - created for the researcher who wants the entire 2000 Census data and Long Form (SF3) data for 1970, 1980 and 1990; Census Time Series Research - for the researcher/ analyst who needs access to as much data as possible - especially those who want to do time series analysis. It includes two products that convert data from previous censuses (1970, 1980 or 1990) to the 2000 boundaries. This allows for apples-to-apples comparison of changes to 2000.
Java database from Daffodil
India-based Daffodil Software has released Daffodil DB Version 2.2, a Java database which now includes database encryption based on specific algorithms, Unicode support, improved browser, B+ tree indexing, support for some of the advanced features of JDBC 3.0, byte comparison and a reduced footprint. The inherited features from the previous versions include multi-version concurrency control, concurrent access of multiple databases, enhanced error messages, a Daffodil DB shell for faster data access and performance enhancement. The product is targeted at customers who need to build business applications in Java which require an embedded database solution capable of handling complex needs.
Claritas introduces new Prizm segmentation system
San Diego-based Claritas Inc. has introduced PRIZM New Evolution, a new segmentation system that incorporates both household and geographic- level data. PRIZM NE captures the essence of the existing PRIZM and MicroVision systems while using a methodology that marries demographic and lifestyle data to help companies best target their customers.
This is the fourth time in as many decades that Claritas has updated the PRIZM system. With the new system, marketers can now reach customers in many ways by household, ZIP+4, census tract, block group, ZIP Code, media market, county, state and nation. Reflecting America’s increasing diversity over the last decade, the new system has grown from 62 to 66 segments. Some of the new segments include:
Young Digerati, No. 4 - With the boom in new computer and digital technology, this cluster represents the nation's tech-savvy singles and couples living in fashionable neighborhoods on the urban fringe.
Beltway Boomers, No. 17 - The nation’s Baby Boomers are now in their 40s and 50s, and this segment reflects one group of college-educated, upper-middle-class homeowners. Like many of their peers who married late and are still raising children, these Boomers live in comfortable suburban subdivisions and are still pursuing kidcentered lifestyles.
Fast-Track Families, No. 20 - The migration ofupscale city dwellers out to the countryside can be seen in the emergence of this exurban cluster. Fast-Track Families is filled with middle-aged parents who have the disposable income and educated sensibility for a granola-and-grits lifestyle: they fish, boat and shop over the Interact, all at high rates.
The Cosmopolitans, No. 26 - The continued gentrification of the nation’s cities has resulted in the emergence of this segment, concentrated in America’s fast-growing metros such as Las Vegas, Miami and Albuquerque. These households feature older homeowners, empty nesters and college graduates who enjoy leisure intensive lifestyles.
Multi-Culti Mosaic, No. 54 - Capturing some of the growth of new immigrants to the U.S., this cluster is the urban home for a mixed populace of younger Hispanic, Asian and African-American singles and families. With nearly a quarter of the residents foreign born, Multi-Culri Mosaic is a mecca for first-generation Americans who are striving to improve their lower-middle’class status.
Old Milltowns, No. 57 - With the shrinking of the nation’s manufacturing sector, America’s once-thriving factory towns have aged, as have their residents. Old Milltowns reflects the decline of these small industrial communities, now filled with retired singles and couples living quietly on fixed incomes. These home-centered residents make up one of the top segments for daytime television.
Claritas segmentation is available on nearly all marketing databases from such providers as ACNielsen, Arbitron, Gallup, IRI, J.D. Power, Mediamark Research Inc., Nielsen Media Research, NFO, NPD, Polk Automotive, Scarborough Research and Simmons Market Research Bureau, plus nearly all major direct mail list providers.
New scanner from Pearson NCS
Minneapolis-based Pearson NCS has released the OpScan iNSIGHT desktop forms processing scanner. The new scanner combines optical mark recognition (OMR) data collection with the ability to capture images for hand-print and machine-print recognition, as well as the ability to clip and store entire forms or portions of forms, such as demographic information or comments on market research or customer satisfaction surveys.
It can do OMR processing using Pearson NCS’ ScanTools II software and is plug-and-play compatible with applications designed for the OpScan scanners.
The addition of Pearson NCS’ Image ScanTools software adds new capabilities. The scanner can capture pencil or ink bubble responses plus image clips for items, such as comments, write-ins, signatures and demographic information, Text can be keyed from the images or the images can be assigned a name or code and stored electronically with the OMR data for retrieval. Users also have the option to automatically index and store the entire document electronically. The collection of hand print and machine print data can also be simplified with the addition of the character recognition module.
SPSS updates three products
Chicago-based SPSS Inc. has released new versions of its products mrInterview, mrStudio and mrTables. The products are part of the SPSS Dimensions platform, which offers market researchers an integrated suite of tools for survey design, data collection, data management, analysis and publishing of results. MrInterview 2.0, which features end-to-end online research tools, now features an integrated Web environment for setting up and running projects - from designing and writing the questionnaire, through activation and testing, to analyzing and exporting data. MrStudio 2.0 offers enhanced data processing and project management capabilities. MrTables 2.0 moves its operation from the desktop to a Web browser and adds new features that enable users to create many new variables, run more statistical tests, easily apply global options and sort rows and columns. A new interface, DimensionNet, which underpins mrInterview and mrTables, enables users to manage the Web survey environment by controlling who has access to which projects and their level of interaction.
Software suite for Palm devices
Techneos Systems Inc., a Vancouver, Canada supplier of mobile data collection solutions, has released Techneos Enterprise Solution for Palm Powered handhelds and smartphones. The Techneos Enterprise Solution is a scalable, integrated software suite that allows organizations to design, deploy and manage mobile data collection projects. It supports every current model of Palm Powered handheld or smartphone, and works with a wide range of connectivity methods - including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (802.11b) and Wide-Area wireless networks. Working in conjunction with Techneos’ Entryware Pro software suite, the Techneos Enterprise Solution adds a Web-based project management interface and scalable software components for communication and database management.
Customer feedback program for snow sports industry
Customers First, a Bethel, Me., information management firm, and Leisure Trends Group, a Boulder, Co!o., research firm, have combined two products to create a marketing tool for resorts and retailers in the snow sports industry. The end result is a program that helps both groups find out who their customers are and gathers customer experience feedback. Data Stream, a program of Customers First, captures contact and demographic information from large volumes of customers for follow-up via direct mail and e-mail. Leisure Trends Group provides marketing research services including customer satisfaction surveys so snow sports companies can monitor their products and gather more comprehensive background on customer groups. Data Stream and the customer satisfaction survey have been combined on one form, which is administered throughout the property. Customers can win trips and prizes by completing the form.
New e-panel data analysis product from Pulse Train
Pulse Train Software Ltd. has debuted iMercury, a new Web-based consumer panel data analysis system, designed for consumer panel service providers and their customers. IMercury is designed to increase the efficiency of consumer panel service providers’ operations and provide service customers with insights into consumer purchase behavior and shopping patterns of selected demographic segments across retail outlet types and competitive brands, varying over time.
In addition to respondent-level purchase case data, iMercury uses the standard demographic attributes of the panel members, plus market-specific information including product groups, product and brand hierarchy, retail outlet information and measurement systems.
IMercury provides information about category and brand penetration, brand loyalty and switching, place of purchase preference, heavy buyer significance and structure, frequency of purchase, purchase volume and expenditure by category and brand, brand share, average expenditure and volume per purchase, etc.
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Norway-based ObjectPlanet has released version 4.1.1 of its Opinio survey application. Opinio is platform-independent. It runs on Windows (all versions) and Linux. Mac OS, Solaris and other Unix variants will be supported soon. This upgrade adds improvements to report-filtering capabilities.
The Media Network, Inc. has opened a new focus group facility in Silver Spring, Md. The TMN Market Research Center will specialize in market research for multicultural populations, particularly Hispanics.
Reposition Inc., an Old Lyme, Conn., marketing firm, has launched yourfoeusgroup.com, an online application that allows companies to perform customer feedback evaluations on their marketing efforts as well as their competitors.
Provo, Utah-based data collection company Western Wats has selected SPSS Inc.’s CATI and Telephony System. This will allow Western Wats to offer Quancept CATI powered by a QTS dialer to a broader range of clients who use SPSS to program their surveys. As part of the 50-seat installment in its Lethbridge, Alberta interviewing facility, Western Wats can now offer CATI services to SPSS’ customer base on an outsource basis. Cincinnati-based Burke Inc. has introduced SEGUE, a new proprietary market segmentation method. With SEGUE, Burke combines information from both customer attitudes and demographic profiles to more accurately predict how potential buyers will respond to marketing efforts.
Sawtooth Software has added a new look and new features to its Web site at www.sawtoothsoftware. com. Visitors can download and read technical/white papers; read about new product updates; search a list of firms and consultants offering services using Sawtooth software; install demo software; and use training materials (.PPT and .PDF files) for teaching conjoint analysis.
Bacon’s Information, a provider of media research, distribution, monitqring and evaluation services, has opened a new broadcast monitoring service for the Chicago market.
Chapel Hill, N.C.-based FGI Research has expanded its online research panel to over four million individuals in 1.5 million households. The online panel, marketed under the SmartPanel brand, includes U.S. and international consumers, and an array of demographic, lifestyle and consumer preferences.
Separately, FGI announced the availability of Yankelovich MONITOR MindBase as an extension of its custom research and omnibus solutions. FGI Research will offer MONITOR MindBase, an attitudinal and lifestyle segmentation developed by Yankelovich, to its online research panel clients.