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IML Machine Dreams (hide) |
Meridia (hide) |
Fleetwood Reply & derivatives (hide) |
TurningPoint (hide) |
Poll Everywhere (hide) |
Qwizdom (hide) |
eInstruction Interwrite PRS, EduQue (hide) |
iClicker (hide) |
H-ITT (hide) |
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Turning Technologies has asked us to take this information down. We asked them to provide updated information, but so far they have ignored repeated requests. The other vendors on this comparison provide us with accurate updated data. |
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| Website | imlaudienceresponse.com | meridiaars.com | replysystems.com | turningtechnologies.com | polleverywhere.com | qwizdom.com | einstruction.com | iclicker.com | h-itt.com |
| Overview | IML is an innovative leader in ARS features, and is probably the most secure system. They target high-end corporate event rentals such as shareholder meetings, elections, and resolution voting. IML launched the Connector (a BlackBerry form factor device) in May, 2010. | Oldest ARS company in the industry (1970, ARS since 1984) with an impressive client list. Keypads recently improved, deprecating the underutilized voice features. Users report the software isn't their favorite for DIY, but the product lineup is versatile and feature rich. They use their own hardware as well as Fleetwood gear. 85% corporate. | Fleetwood makes many types of Audience Keypads and relies on a distributor network to write software and sell rebranded systems and consulting services. Larger resellers include: Meridia, Option Technologies, ComTec, Brahler ICS Digivote, PowerCom, and Padgett. | Redacted | Simple ARS using mobile phones in place of clicker keypads. Less features but significantly cheaper than any ARS purchase or rental. | In business for 25 years without merger or acquisition. 50/50 education/corporate. | eInstruction is the result of M&A by GTCOCalComp. Combined, the companies have a long history including the historically popular Interwrite "PRS" (and eInstruction's "CPS"). Acquired FSCreations Examview and their partnerships with content publishers. 70% education. Financially stable. | Purchased by MacMillan Publishers in 2005. iClicker has a large user base in higher ed fueled by high-value pricing. Estimated 75% education, 25% corporate. | H-ITT prides itself on stable, rugged hardware and software. 75% Higher Ed, 25% K-12. It was founded by 2 Arkansas professors around 1998 and purchased by the hardware manufacturer in 2006. |
| Features | IML | Meridia | Fleetwood Reply (& derivatives) |
TurningPoint | Poll Everywhere | Qwizdom | eInstruction (Interwrite PRS, EduQue) | iClicker | H-ITT |
| Standard ARS features | Yes | Yes | Generally yes, depends on software vendor | Redacted | Yes, but First-to-buzz-in games not accurate over SMS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Presenter console for moderating questions | Yes | No | No | Redacted | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Free-text response | Yes ('Connector' model) or as on a 10-digit phone keypad ('Communicator') | Yes, through some of their RF keypads and web-based virtual keypads |
ReplyPlus: Yes, but awkward ReplyIQ: Discontinued |
Redacted | Yes | Single word | No. Awkward short answer capabilities on PRS | No | Yes, but limited to 20 characters on the TX3200 |
| Recent cutting edge features | Voice communications, ID cards, BlackBerry-style text entry, alarms when clickers "walk away", live auctions | Strong multi-site/group, integrating keypads and web | Most flexible hardware platform to develop new software for | Redacted | Web 2.0, simplicity (no training necessary), SMS, Twitter and smartphone voting | Offers standalone ARS application (Interact) which includes a hovering toolbar, and a PowerPoint Plug-in (ActionPoint) | LCD screens (overall not very innovative) | Book model: Very pedagogical product development model. Software is open source. API. | Reliability of software and durability of clickers. In-class Test and Homework mode with all IR and RF remotes. |
| Technical | IML | Meridia | Fleetwood Reply (& derivatives) |
TurningPoint | Poll Everywhere | Qwizdom | eInstruction (Interwrite PRS, EduQue) | iClicker | H-ITT |
| Underlying technology | In-house designed hardware and software | 2.4 GHz FHSS RF | 2-Way RF | Redacted | Web2.0, AJAX, and text messaging or Twitter | Their own RF technology | In-house IR/RF | RF, designed in-house | RF and IR |
| Response speed | Undisclosed, but comparable to other systems | 500 votes in 2 seconds. 2-way RF accuracy (99.6%) | 200/second per base on Reply+, 100% accuracy. 18K/s max. | Redacted | Depends; while audiences of >3000 concurrent participants have been done, SMS will be slower than clickers. Web and Twitter support hundreds per second. | 1000 in 6 seconds | 1000 in 4 seconds | 750, 1ms per confirmation. High accuracy. | 500/sec |
| Max devices per receiver | 1500 | Small - 500, Large ~36,000 | Reply Plus: 500; Reply WW/Mini: 250. Up to 71 bases for max 35,500. | Redacted | Unlimited | 999 | CPS RF: 1000, PRS RF: 2000, IR: 64 | 1500 | Unlimited |
| Software notes | Very impressive and flexible - has almost every feature of other systems except SpotMe (which doesn't have every feature that IML has) | 3 types: PPT native (.NET) for end-users, professionally-operated/remote, and Flash-based games. Consultants report liking other vendors' plug-ins more, but the software is powerful | Varies, but most impressive is ComTec software | Redacted | Live results in PowerPoint and Keynote with the PollEv Presenter app. Works from the web and mobile devices with no-plugins via HTML5 visualizations. | PowerPoint and Keynote plug-in | Standalone: CPS and PRS comparable features. Supports latest Win, Mac, Office. PRS adds Linux. PRS's PowerPoint Integration is better. | Standalone software hovers over other applications. Win and Mac equally robust. | CRS, Classroom Response Software imports popular file types such as *.ppt, *.doc, *.pdf, *.txt, web pages and more. Most functionality is in standalone app (hovering toolbar) that can be utilized with any content. Software compatible with Win, Mac & Linux. |
| Range of wireless | n/a - consultants will set up system to suit needs | 650 feet | Depends on model. Usually 400 - 650 feet. Reply Plus and Mini+ incorporate Wifi avoidance features. | Redacted | 99% SMS coverage in US meeting locations and classrooms | 500 feet | PRS RF: 150, CPS 200 ft, PRS IR: 60 ft | 200-250 feet | 200 ft outdoors, long-range base available. |
| Reference customers | Gartner, Medtronic, British Airways, Jewish National Fund, HSBC | Exxon, J & J, Ernst & Young, GSK, Bristol-Myers/Squibb, Kaiser Permanente, Hershey | Between all software and distributors, there's too many to mention | Redacted | Google, McDonalds, GE, Discovery Channel Education, Notre Dame | Hyundai, Several K-12 | Purdue. University of Massachusetts. University of New Hampshire: >10,000 students/semester | Wal-Mart (training). 600 schools, incl: Cornell, Boston College, UC Bolder | UC Riverside, University of Florida |
| Pricing | IML | Meridia | Fleetwood Reply (& derivatives) |
TurningPoint | Poll Everywhere | Qwizdom | eInstruction (Interwrite PRS, EduQue) | iClicker | H-ITT |
| Rental price per keypad, high quantity (list price) | List $20/participant for the first day | Meridia reports it varies based on # of keypads, models, services, & # of days. | Varies by company, but see Meridia pricing at left for a comparable. For corporate accounts Option Technologies is about $8 per participant for one day, and $5 per person per day for week-long events. | Redacted | Between $.10 and $.30 per participant per month | $12 per participant for the first day | Rentals very uncommon | Limited rentals (usually corporate) | $316 event fee + $3 per remote, per day for the iCue Multiple Choice RF remote only |
| Recommend technician for rental | Always | DIY rentals and an innovative remote-operation mode are available, but on-site support is typical | Yes, especially through VARs or for first use | Redacted | No | Yes - ~1 per 500 keypads | n/a | n/a | Sometimes. Rental not a large part of the business. |
| Technician price, 1 day | Know something? Email us |
Seems usually bundled in the prices we list here. Know something? Email us |
Varies by VAR. One VAR quoted $1000/day +$100/hour over 10 hours, another quoted $800/day. | Redacted | n/a | $1,000 | n/a | n/a | $250 + $75/hr (min 8 hours) |
| Purchase: List price per keypad | Keypads are deliberately over $500 each; IML prefers the rental business | About 50% of business is in system purchases, but they do not list prices. | As of 4/09: $35 (mini), $60 (WW), $100 (Plus), $190 (IQ) + $400-$700 per base station. Software additional. | Redacted | Software-as-a-Service model. As compared to hardware, cost averages $3.00 per "virtual clicker" (audience participant) per year; but of course participants pay $0.01-$0.20 per text. | $40 | Sells in 24, 32, and 40 packs. 32 pack RF: $2995, IR: $1995. Volume discounts begin at 10 systems. Software is free. |
One price: $27 to bookstore Bases are free at 1 per 100 remotes, extra bases $110 |
$35 before bookstore/university markup to $44. H-ITT makes receivers free for universities who distribute clickers in bookstores. 32 pack of the TX3200 iCue Pro RF go for $1653, everything included. |
| Best deal heard of, or street price | Pricing can vary quite a bit. Confirm a large but short event for an unbooked or uncommon time in a local market, and < $8 per participant is possible. | Rental: Large corporate trainer reports $13 per keypad-day for 1 day under 200 participants, down to $4.40 per keypad-day for 5 days of 5000 people. We've also heard $10 per keypad for first day, $5 per additional day. | Know something? Email us |
Redacted | (One price for everyone) | $6/participant/day rental | School purchase: PRS/CPS: $50 per clicker, $160/$200 per receiver. Bookstore model: CPS: $16 to bookstore ($13 if standardized), so $22 to students plus $15 per semester. PRS: $39 to bookstore, $53 to student, but no per-semester fee. Receiver hardware is free. | $26.50 net | 2-way, 32 clicker IR class pack for $795, everything included |