The value of on-premises survey software and why you should use it

With so many different types of survey software and providers out there, knowing which one is the right one for you and your company can feel like a bit of a minefield. Which option saves you the most money? Which provides the best data security? And which offers the biggest range of customization opportunities? If these sound like questions you’ve been considering, then you’re in the right place. 

In this article, we’ll be running through the benefits of on-premises survey software and why we will be continuing to invest in this deployment option. As experts in the field, we’re confident that the on-site hosting of survey software is not just beneficial for your organization’s survey distribution and data collection, it’s also advantageous for your company’s bottom line, its data security, and the experiences of your survey participants. 

Here’s what we’ll be covering: 

• What is on-premises survey software? 
• Who provides on-premises survey software? 
• What are the benefits of on-site hosting? 
• Conclusion and key takeaways

Ready to learn more about the advantages of on-premises survey software? Then let’s dive in. 

What is on-premises survey software? 

On-premises survey software refers to the creation, distribution, collection, and analysis of an organization’s surveys or questionnaires via processes which run on in-house computers or company servers rather than on cloud-based or web-based platforms. As well as hosting survey-related functions within an organization’s infrastructure, on-premises survey software provides companies with multiple benefits such as facilitating greater control over data security and providing access to customization opportunities. These advantages make it a particularly popular choice for organizations which have specific requirements or industry regulations they need to adhere to, for example those within the healthcare, government, cybersecurity, and financial services sectors. 

Who provides on-premises survey software? 

Currently, there are a host of companies offering survey software to clients. Let’s take a look at some of the key players providing on-premises survey software right now. 

Checkbox 

Through the use of smart logic, extensive question lists, and seamless system integration, Checkbox enables clients to create intelligent and effective surveys that gather qualitative insights and quantitative data from their audiences seamlessly. In addition, the tool’s no-code editor supports the creation of branded and customized surveys for targeted user experiences.

Alchemer 

Providing smart data collection and analysis services to businesses, Alchemer (formerly SurveyGizmo) is a platform providing teams with feedback collection tools, workflows, and pre-configured surveys and solutions to support efficient and flexible information gathering. 

Blue from Explorance 

Blue from Explorance is another on-premises survey software provider. The platform supports an organization's most important feedback processes, from student reviews to employee workplace engagement. The tool uses powerful automation and a robust reporting engine to capture insights and provide analysis that supports decision-making. 

Voxco 

Voxco offers its clients data collection services via its multichannel survey software. Created by market researchers, the platform’s online survey tools enable users to assess data in real-time through the leveraging of statistical and text analysis that facilitates the extraction of important insights. 

QuestionPro 

With a focus on market research and experience management, QuestionPro is an on-premises survey software provider that supports the collection and analysis of agile quantitative and qualitative data from sources such as social media channels, market research studies, and touchpoint analyses all on one platform. 

Qualtrics 

Web-based survey-generation software, Qualtrics, offers a range of solutions in the fields of market research, survey software, concept testing tools, and brand analytics, to name just a few. The platform assists in the creation of surveys and data gathering which support improvements in customer service, streamlining processes, and guiding data-driven decision making. 

KeySurvey 

Offering on-premises survey solutions for enterprise feedback management, employee engagement, and market research, among others, KeySurvey is a single, integrated platform for the collection, management, and analysis of feedback for teams and organizations. 

What are the benefits of on-site hosting? 

There are numerous benefits to organizations of using on-site survey software to host their surveys, manage their collected data, and analyze user insights. Let’s dive into some of the reasons why on-site survey hosting enables the creation and distribution of the most effective surveys and elicits the most insightful results from users.  

Data control and security 

For many organizations, security and data control are high on the list of reasons for choosing on-premises survey software. This is because, due to the software running on your own company's hardware infrastructure and not on multi-tenant infrastructure, confidential data can be more readily secured from potential bad actors.

Organizations which choose on-site survey technology typically opt to implement a range of stringent digital security measures such as robust encryption and storage access controls. Secure networks, such as VPNs, are also employed for data transmission in combination with Wi-Fi networks which boast strong encryption and access controls.  

It’s common for organizations with on-site software to implement physical security measures alongside digital security measures as a means to protect survey equipment and any related devices. These physical measures can include setting up asset tracking systems, cable locks, and surveillance cameras which prevent tampering or theft. 

Thanks to these digital and physical security measures, on-site survey hosting software is by far the most secure option for the collection and transference of classified data, making it the software of choice for many organizations in sectors such as healthcare, finance, government, and cybersecurity.  

Compliance with industry regulation

Ease of compliance with industry regulation is another significant advantage of adopting on-site survey technology. Adhering to industry regulation is made easier with on-premises survey software because when information is stored and managed within a company’s own physical infrastructure, an organization has enhanced control and oversight of it. Internal data storage also supports the implementation and maintenance of industry-specific data protection measures such as encryption protocols; these further enable organizations to align their internal processes with industry requirements. 

Greater customization opportunities 

Due to the level of control on-premises survey software enables, customization opportunities are significantly greater with this technology than what is offered by web or cloud-based alternatives. Tailored integration with an organization’s existing internal software systems, workflows, and databases allows for more customization of data exchange mechanisms that specifically meet the needs and preferences of both an organization and its survey participants. Other customization opportunities include the ability to add new tools or features, modify existing functions, and integrate with existing systems. 

On-premises solutions also offer more interface customization options, enabling a company to match their surveys and materials with their existing branding and UX design preferences. By facilitating the customization of templates, themes, and layout designs, the software supports an organization in effectively and consistently communicating its brand identity and image. 

Seamless integration with other systems 

Another significant advantage to using on-premises survey software is that this technology can seamlessly integrate with an organization’s other in-house systems without the need for external APIs or cloud-based operations. Systems such as customer relationship management (CRM) software and enterprise resource planning (ERP) technology can be easily integrated with on-premises survey software, with companies able to tailor each integration to meet their needs and support their internal workflows. 

The ability to smoothly integrate survey software with existing systems offers a number of other advantages: 

• By integrating survey software with existing infrastructure, highly regulated industries can maintain full control over their data and ensure regulation compliance;
• Due to the high speed of on-premises survey solutions, data transferring and processing with other systems is faster and more enhanced;
• Thanks to the complete ownership of data that on-premises survey software enables, data travels securely and seamlessly between different strands of an organization. 

Enhanced performance and reliability

For companies looking to enhance their reliability and overall performance, on-premises survey software offers significant support. In addition to enabling a company’s direct control over its survey infrastructure, on-premises software facilitates organizations seeking to fully tailor hardware specifications and network configurations to better meet their needs and goals. What this means for organizations is that optimal performance is guaranteed even during periods of significant survey activity and data transmission.  

From a reliability perspective, businesses are able to meet increasing demand by bringing in more servers or upgrading their existing infrastructure as and when they need to. Organizations can hone their survey processes and optimize responsiveness thanks to the level of control they have over the on-premises survey technology they have at their fingertips.  

Long term cost savings 

Companies who choose on-premises survey software over web or cloud-based alternatives enjoy significant long term cost savings. Thanks to the technology being stored, maintained, and configured in-house, businesses are able to eliminate the recurring (and high) subscription fees that are typically associated with cloud-based services and avoid the accidental use of more cloud services than they have budgeted for as well as other hidden cloud computing costs. While there’s no getting away from the initial investment in hardware that on-site survey hosts will need to budget for to cover equipment costs and licensing fees, the savings over the long term significantly make up for this initial expenditure. 

There are other cost efficiencies to be made when choosing on-premises survey solutions over cloud or web-based services. The ability to scale up hardware over time means that businesses do not get bound by the fixed subscription tiers that cloud and web-based services rely upon. When an organization owns its own hardware and software, price increase and subscription model changes are also avoided. While initial hardware costs are not insignificant, companies who choose on-premises survey software–particularly those with regular and predictable survey needs–can be assured that in the long term this is the more cost-effective, secure, and financially stable survey software option. 

Access to ongoing support and maintenance

By implementing on-premises survey software, companies have control over their internal survey processes and infrastructure enabling timely software updates, customization, and troubleshooting. Organizations can benefit from minimized periods of downtime and optimized efficiency thanks to immediate and accessible technical assistance and personalized maintenance solutions, while team managers can effortlessly oversee data storage levels and effective management practices which further support alignment with industry-specific regulation. Not only do these on-premises software features benefit the immediate team working with them, they also help to foster trust among stakeholders regarding the integrity and confidentiality of the data being collected. 

Conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed our rundown of the benefits of on-site survey software. As we have seen, organizations who opt for this in-house survey software enjoy increased data security, lower long term costs, seamless integration with other systems, and an array of customization opportunities which cloud or web-based survey software cannot facilitate. While initial equipment costs can be high, over the long term, companies who opt for on-premises survey software save money when compared to those who choose web or cloud-based alternatives. Additionally, organizations with on-premises software have an opportunity to incrementally build a system that is uniquely matched to their work processes and survey goals and that provides a personalized and more effective experience for their survey participants. For these reasons, Checkbox will continue to invest in and grow its on-premises survey software solutions. If you’d like to learn more about on-premises survey software, you’ll find more articles like this one over on the Checkbox blog.