Hello, I need some help locating the best software package for my
needs. I am a consultant who is looking to set-up several online
customer panels for some clients. These panels will be used to
conduct market research surveys that I will program for my clients
using custom software that I host on my own servers.
Because of privacy laws and other issues, these panels need to be
set-up on either my server, or on my client's servers. For this
reason, I wish to PURCHASE the software so that I own it and can
install it on my own servers. I am aware of companies like
QuestionPro and GMI that will lease you software to set up panels on
their servers. However, these third-party ASP solutions will not meet
my client's privacy needs - not to mention that their $1,000+ per
month price tag is a bit expensive for a "leased" solution.
My expertise is with Windows Server - therefore I need software that
runs on this platform. I am not interested in a LINUX or UNIX-based
solution.
In terms of capabilities, the ideal package would have the following features:
- Include a basic database I can use for tracking and filtering
- Either include basic survey capabilities for a member profiling
survey or have the ability to work with my existing survey software
that uses a SQL Server database. The panel software does not need to
integrate perfectly with my software - as long as I can import
profiling data from my survey software into the panel database. Please
note that I am looking for panel software, NOT online survey software.
- Portal creation (a place for panelists to enroll, check/change
info,track points, etc.)
- Some form of point/award tracking system
- Ability to handle a panel that will start at about 2,000 members but
will grow to over 200,000
- Basic email management capabilities including ability to select a
random sample from the panel based on selection criteria I specify and
to send custom email invitations to those members.
Some companies I have heard of and looked into include GMI,
Centurion's MARSC, Vision Critical, and QuestionPro. From what I have
learned so far, these packages cannot be purchased - they are only
available as an ASP.
In terms of budget, depending on the software's features, I would
expect this type of software will cost between $2,500 and $10,000 to
own. Before making this type of purchase, I would like to know about
the company's history, their support policies, and perhaps get some
customer references or success stories.
This is my first time using Google Answers. I am hoping someone out
there can help me find the right product! |
