Advanced Mobile CAPI System Launch

On-going collaboration between Techneos Systems and SPSS MR has produced an improved solution for mobile collection of structured data. Techneos, the mobile data collection specialist, has just released a new version of its Entryware Professional software that is integrated with the SPSS MR Dimensions Platform.

Merging these complementary technologies has created a Mobile Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (MCAPI) tool that is exceptionally versatile and scalable. The software allows market researchers to more effectively utilize mobile data collection in situations where it is the most suitable method, and to include it in multi-mode interviewing systems.

'As people around the world become more mobile, it is harder to reach survey respondents through traditional methods such as phone and mail, or more recent approaches such as Web surveys,' explains Mark Cameron, Techneos CEO. 'With Entryware Pro, researchers can enjoy the benefits of computer assisted interviewing anywhere. For both face-to-face interviews and self-completed questionnaires, the software is an efficient and powerful method for collecting data from people when and where they are willing to provide it. Integration with the Dimensions Platform via the SPSS MR Data Model gives researchers the ability to easily use Entryware products in conjunction with other best-of-breed applications. The result is better response rates because the most appropriate data collection mode can easily be utilized for each respondent.'

Other modes of computer-assisted interviewing have proven the advantages of eliminating paper-fewer errors and faster results. Both Techneos and SPSS MR recognized years ago that mobile computers were the next wave of computing, and the key to replacing paper as the preferred medium for on-site data collection. 'Being driven by the same goal made it easy for us work together, increase the value of our joint product offering to our clients, and bring the widest range of MR solutions available today to the market research industry,' said Ian Durrell, president of SPSS MR.

Entryware Pro 4.0 has new features that make questionnaire design and data collection tasks easier for new users, and improve productivity for those with experience. Version 4 also works with the new Techneos Enterprise Server to provide web-based questionnaire distribution, project management, and reporting of results for any number of handheld devices, anywhere in the world. Support for most double-byte character sets is now available, enhancing the software's ability to run multi-lingual questionnaires.

Researchers are also looking for inexpensive, mobile data collection solutions for developing parts of the world that lack a fixed phone infrastructure or reliable Internet access. Entryware Pro 4.0 is designed to work well with low-cost handheld devices and low bandwidth connections, providing an affordable way to quickly secure high quality data in locations where other interviewing technologies cannot deliver comparable access to respondents.

Additional benefits include the ability to work more easily with analysis and reporting tools as a result of SPSS MR Data Model compliance. Features that make self-completion much easier are also provided by the new version, making it an even better tool for venues such as trade shows and panels.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

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