UMS Panel Manager (UPM)

A central component of the GfK Universal Meter System is the completely integrated panel management software – the UMS Panel Manager (UPM). UPM is a modularly built software which coordinates the administration of all processes within the meter system, from the technical installation incl. technician resource planning, to the actual panelist management, the data processing and weighting. The UMS Panel Manager is based on a central database and enables structured and complete quality management.

It was a basic goal in the conception and implementation of the GfK Telecontrol TV measurement system to fully integrate the panel management. Here, the focus was put on the integration of the research standards from the empirical social research.

For example, the contact to the panelists should happen in a controlled manner, be reduced to the minimum and be kept on record. Additionally, the needs of the panelists are always the highest priority. All contact to the panelists resp. the interviews focus on this goal.

Another important issue within the panel management is the structured inventory and storage of all information, gained during contact with the panelists. Besides, inappropriate behavior (e.g. logged in at several devices, unusual length of TV consume etc.) can be recorded and tracked with the UMS Panel Manager.

The UMS Panel Manager is the central administration and coordination tool of the Universal Meter System. Within UMS certain standards and processes were therefore implemented. Periodical actions and controls are carried out in the panel manager with the aid of the fixmeter UMX. For example daily checks of data polling, weighting, viewing behavior of panelists and households, technical vitality of the whole system, coincidental checks, refreshment of socio-demographics, etc. In weekly and monthly checks the performance of the daily KPIs are monitored like e.g. panel performance in respect to important population figures, average drop-out-rate etc.