ActiveGroup is leading a revolution in marketing research by using the Internet as a tool to increase the efficiency of research events. ActiveGroup uses the new technology of streaming media (also known as web casting and Internet broadcasting) to transmit audio and video over the Internet.
ActiveGroup allows you to use your regular Internet connection to monitor live research events such as focus groups and in-depth interviews. No longer do you have to physically be at a facility to monitor the groups, nor do you have to travel to a place to watch the event on a video conferencing unit.
There is no special equipment or special phone line required. Once you book ActiveGroup with the facility, you will receive a confirmation email. Simply log onto the ActiveGroup website, enter the appropriate one-time password, and you can monitor the event live. You can do this anywhere you have Internet access, for example, at the office, a hotel room or the comfort of your own home.
With ActiveGroup there is no limit to the number of people who can participate in the event, or the locations from where you can monitor it. ActiveGroup frees you from all the schedule, budget, travel, and timing constraints that traditional research events impose on you.
You also have more flexibility than standard focus groups or video conferencing allows. With ActiveGroup you can monitor the event as it occurs, or come back to a web page devoted exclusively to your research over the period of a month and monitor the event on-demand. This is very helpful when timing issues make it difficult to monitor the event live. With on-demand viewing the viewer also has complete fast forward and rewind capabilities.
Another benefit of ActiveGroup is that a CD of your research is mailed to you the day after your event takes place. You can insert video snippets from the CD into presentations or even create a library of CD’s rather than a library of videotapes.
ActiveGroup also has a feature called the ClientLounge. This technology allows you to monitor the live event AND chat (via text) with your co-workers who are monitoring the event at the same time. This can be beneficial when there are multiple viewers in multiple locations. It allows them to discuss the event as it is occurring just like they would if they were physically together behind the mirror. It also allows viewers to chat before, between and after the event.
ActiveNotes is a new kind of software that will allow you to use your notes as a personal bookmark and index of your research event. With ActiveNotes you can be anywhere in the world monitoring your event while you type your notes on your computer. Then, ActiveNotes will link up those notes with the audio/video of the event. ActiveNotes is included on the CD and automatically available for on-demand marking. However, if you’d like ActiveNotes to be available for the live broadcast there is an additional charge.
