FIZZ Network: each tasting booth is equipped with a PC linked to the FIZZ supervisor through a network. The tasters answer on screen using a mouse and the data are collected directly. This version is especially recommended for a traditional practice of sensory analysis.
FIZZ Forms: the questionnaires are printed on paper. The tasters answer on the questionnaire, and the data collection is done by automatic reading from a scanner equipped with a sheet feeder. This version may obviously be used in a networked environment as well. It is also very well suited for consumer surveys.
FIZZ Portable: a test is sent to independent computers as a file (e-mail attachment for example). The tasters answer on screen using a mouse. The answers are sent back as a file and consolidated. This version is recommended in all cases where the data collection occurs on remote sites, or when mobility is required.
FIZZ Web: the test is published on the FIZZ Web server and the corresponding invitation e-mails are automatically sent out to the judges. Alternatively, if the judge list is undetermined, a link is generated to be place on a Web page. The judge clicks on the link from his invitation mail or the web page and the test is downloaded. At the end of the test his anwsers are stored on the web server. The master computer connects to the web server to consolidate the available answers.
This version is recommended in all cases where Internet and a Web browser are available on the judge place.
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All four versions include the same tools. All elements concerning tasters, products, descriptors, and of course the results are fully compatible. Test definitions are identical for FIZZ Network, Portable and Web.
The following differences are due to the data collection mode, and should be taken in account when choosing the system:
FIZZ Forms | FIZZ Network | FIZZ Portable | FIZZ Web |
| Layout: | |||
| Paper format. | Screen format. | ||
| Real-time functions: | |||
| No time-related functions are not available in FIZZ Forms. | FIZZ Network, FIZZ Portable and FIZZ Web offer additional features: - Recording of response times - Forced waiting time between questions. - Time/Intensity. - Display of animated pictures. | ||
| Answer control: | |||
| Errors on paper forms can only be found when reading the questionnaires. No possibility to force the tasters to answer, nor to avoid multiple answers. | FIZZ Network, FIZZ Portable and FIZZ Web allow total control of the judges: - Test protocol, order of the screens. - Forced answers. - No multiple answers possible, except of course for the multiple-choice questions where the number of answers allowed is specified. | ||
| Availability of the results: | |||
| FIZZ Forms requires the collection of the questionnaires and their reading by the scanner before any result computation. Even if the scanning is automatic this implies some delays. | With FIZZ Network the results are available immediately at the end of the session. | FIZZ Portable requires to send back and consolidate the answers before their computation. Even if these operations are done with a simple click, they imply some delays. | When the judges have answered, the FIZZ Web master PC connects to the Web server to consolidate the answers before their computation. |
| Flexibility: | |||
| Paper forms may be used anywhere, without any hardware: sensory tests, consumer surveys, family panels... | The tests with FIZZ Network are done at the location where the networked PCs are installed.Sensory tests, Central Location Tests... | FIZZ Portable may be used anywhere, but needs a PC to be available and started up: sensory tests, consumer surveys, family panels... | FIZZ Web may be used wherever an Internet connection and a PC with a Web browser are available: Home Use Tests, Consumer surveys, remote panels, Consumer panel recruitment... |
| Ease of use by the judge: | |||
| Using paper forms may seem more natural to some judges. | With FIZZ Network, FIZZ Portable and FIZZ Web, the answers are done on screen. The judges should be familiar with the mouse, the keyboard or the touch screen. | ||
| Interactivity: | |||
| No interactivity possible with paper forms. | FIZZ Network, FIZZ Portable and FIZZ Web allow modifying the flow of the pages in the session, depending on previous answers. | ||
| Budget: | |||
| With FIZZ Forms, the hardware needed is a computer, a scanner and a printer. The test location needs no equipment, and the tasting booths can be standard and need no adaptation at all. | In addition to the supervisor PC, FIZZ Network needs one PC type terminal under Windows in each tasting booth. The booths must be designed to contain the PCs and the screens (connections, space needed). | FIZZ Portable needs as many Windows PCs on the test site as there are judges to answer simultaneously. | FIZZ Web needs an Internet connection and a Web server, which can be your own or Biosystèmes' dedicated server. Moreover the judge uses a PC with an Internet connection and browser. |