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The transparency of the data production using Pollux guarantees the integrity and standardisation of the system for all clients.
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Pollux, Nielsen’s proprietary production software, is a fully integrated and reliable TAM data
retrieval and production system, which combines international standardisation with transparency
by means of extensive and flexible reporting at all phases of data production.
Pollux is The Nielsen Company’s guarantee of quality and the best assurance of integrity for
TAM system auditors. All software source codes are maintained by the Nielsen Corporate Support Centre.
Within the software, a complete historical record of all insertions and amendments is maintained.
This ensures that The Nielsen Company and any auditor appointed by a Joint Industry Committee (JIC) are
able to access a complete history of any changes or updates made to the databases within the software.
This includes the Household Master files which contain a history of all communication between Nielsen and each panel home.
This ensures complete transparency and controls all stages of the production process.
The underlying principle of integration within Pollux (all databases reside within a single software that
manages the complete production process), allows an unsurpassed level of reporting. Any panel home may be tracked from
the moment of receipt of the Establishment Survey database, through recruitment, installation, polling and production.
Integrated reporting features ensure that any exceptions are easily investigated and their source identified quickly
and efficiently. All reports are created automatically every day and form the basis of the work carried out by the production and panel management team.
Pollux’s functionality includes Panel Recruitment and Management, peoplemeter polling, data validation,
data expansion and production, and the creation of application software databases. Extensive quality control reports exist for each stage of the process.
Pollux is the heart of Nielsen’s TAM system. Developed and maintained by Nielsen’s Corporate Support Centre,
Pollux is installed in all Nielsen TAM and Audience Measurement companies (except USA) and will become
the standard in all Nielsen TAM joint venture companies, providing an efficient management tool and
guaranteeing clients transparent, quality data production.
Each step of the TAM system is managed by modules within Pollux - from the selection of homes for
recruitment to the Establishment Survey database, to the production of the final elementary database.
Pollux’s flexibility ensures that the software can be easily adapted to meet local market requirements,
including algorithim changes and local validation procedures. Continuous development of Pollux also ensures that
new modules and reports are developed and included in new versions.
Pollux enables Nielsen to offer complete transparency, providing an authorised auditor with direct
access to all reports pertaining to the selection, recruitment, installation, polling and validation of the peoplemeter panel.
