nQual Rich Focus is a new, hosted software solution for online focus groups in real time. It was recently reviewed by Tim Macer on his web site and received fairly positive feedback. From my perspective as a very likely potential user (based on Tim’s review!) nQual Rich Focus sounds like a very easy to use system that seems interesting for respondents (more interesting, interactive and engaging than a simple chat window you see with some other systems) and easy to use controls for the moderator.

Highlights of nQual Rich Focus (according to Tim’s review) include the fact that it is extremely easy to use; it’s easy to present a wide variety of stimulus material; it offers a variety of innovative research techniques and it provides a transcript immediately following the session. Negatives of package include the fact that all participants must use Window-based systems (Internet Explorer, to be specific); it is not yet completely self-service and it only supports real-time groups.

nQual is a London-based company — which implies London-based servers, which may or may not mean latency in the connection (I’m not sure why there would be, but it’s worth thinking about ). The cost of a single group is around $900 although volume discounts are available.

• Read Tim Macer’s review of nQual Rich Focus
• nQual Rich Focus web site