Online MR Magazine May Edition 2016 Issue 1 | Page 32

Is mobile causing an identity crisis for MR? Online dashboards can help to build a true partnership between MR companies and their clients. a strategic move from a clientsupplier to partnerpartner relationship. This business relationship is built on trust between both parties. Smartphones and tablets have quickly become part of everyday life with both young and old at ease with using apps to shop, bank and even conduct business. But while Market Research clients are embracing mobile technology, the industry itself is trailing behind in adopting what is now recognised as a standard operating tool within most organisations. Will voice of the customer replace MR? There is no denying newer market entrants, particularly those in the Voice of the Customer arena, have used innovative technologies to leapfrog some MR organisations. Because, frankly, the days of sending complicated spreadsheets to a client and leaving them to digest the results are long over. Firstly, multiple column tables cannot be accessed on a mobile device and, more importantly, they do not give the ‘instant’ access to reports that today’s end users demand. Solutions providers are also moving away from traditional MR tools and focusing their R&D efforts – and investment – on