New Launch from TNS - Data Collection via the 'Phone 26/06/00 Taylor Nelson Sofres Interactive, the global Internet research arm of Taylor Nelson Sofres, is launching a fully functional, real-time data collection and reporting tool via WAP phones. The system, which was developed in-house, enables WAP users to complete questionnaires directly on their WAP phones, after receiving notification of the surveys via a text message. The users log into a Taylor Nelson Sofres WAP server, and answer the questionnaire online. The system can also be used by TNS interviewers performing mystery shopping, exit polling or in-hall testing, among other methodologies. According to Ulf Andersen, Director Strategic Marketing "This new interview system also enables clients to view results in real-time via the Internet as respondents or interviewers complete the questionnaires. This can be viewed either on the client's PC or even on their own WAP mobile phones. Thus the entire research cycle can be performed using WAP, from data collection to client reporting. Added to this new service, TNS now also has full interviewing capabilities on Palm, and is looking to integrate the PDA's better screen with the online access via mobile phone. When such devices become available, mobile online interviewing is likely to become an important data collection method." Bill Noah, System Development Manager for Taylor Nelson Sofres, adds: "TNS Interactive has, for some time, been pursuing data collection and reporting capabilities based on Internet access methods other than the PC. This is to be a supplement to the Group's existing CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interviewing) software, and in anticipation that the mobile Internet is to become a major driving force in Internet access in the near future."