Superior tools and resources for opinion research

Distributed interviewing

OpTech/Server 4.0 introduced true distributed interviewing technology.

Traditional CATI (Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing) systems run on a single system — all interviewer stations must be directly connected to a single computer system. But OpTech's distributed architecture separates interview station management from job management:

• Satellite servers control the interviewing process, plus phone room timekeeping, personnel, and other direct supervisory functions.
• Host servers manage sample and quota control, collect all completions, and control all other aspects of data and job management.

With the traditional approach, the only way to divide a job was by actually splitting up its sample and turning into two independent jobs. With OpTech, the job maintains its integrity and consistency.

Distributed interviewing means —

• Job resources can be added or removed as needed in real-time.
• Satellite interview locations can be sited, sized, and managed for optimum efficiency.
• Centralized real-time job management maintains quality control.
• Job details, including sample, quotas, questionnaire text, and logic can all be changed in real-time, with automatic and consistent updates of jobs running at field locations.
• Centralized sample and quota management avoid waste and delays.
• Secure, encrypted data is collected centrally in real-time, and is not accessible from interviewer stations or satellite servers.
• Many connectivity options and configurations are available, including secure point-to-point connections.

Watch for a more detailed description here in the 1.1 version of this website.