FAQs

Your organization owns all data generated in Compusense. We securely host and protect your data.

Yes. Compusense follows accessibility best practices, including adjustable visuals, clear contrast, mobile compatibility, and streamlined interfaces for inclusive participation.

Compusense is a cloud-based SaaS platform for sensory and consumer research. Since 1986, it has provided reliable, user-friendly tools for designing, executing, and analyzing sensory studies across food & beverage, personal care, flavors & fragrances, sporting goods, retail, and academia.

Compusense is trusted by sensory scientists, consumer researchers, QA teams, R&D groups, and universities conducting high-quality sensory and consumer testing.

Compusense offers unmatched support (3am–6pm EST in English, French, and Spanish, with 97% of issues resolved within 24 hours), intuitive workflows, strong customization, and a complete end-to-end feature set that manages panelists, testing, analytics, and reporting.

Yes. Compusense is fully cloud-based and requires no installation. Analysts and panelists can access studies anywhere, on any device with an internet connection.

Compusense has been a leader in sensory and consumer testing software since 1986, offering nearly four decades of industry expertise.

Compusense offers flexible licensing based on the number of analyst users and the needs of your organization. Pricing scales with your number of analyst users, and we have a number of additional add-ons. Contact us for a personalized quote.

Yes. Compusense supports single teams and global enterprises, maintaining consistent protocols, secure access controls, and shared insights across regions.

Assessor Testing enables trained assessors (evaluators) to enter data on behalf of panelists, improving accuracy and supporting complex evaluations. They act as a proxy when the panelist cannot or should not self-evaluate.

Yes. SSO improves security, simplifies user authentication, and streamlines access for analysts and panelists.

The Template Library provides you the ability to template tests to be used again and help to ensure testing is consistent across multiple locations.

Yes. Compusense integrates with ERP systems (e.g., SAP), PLM systems, product databases, and BI tools like Power BI and Tableau.

Yes. The product library stores product history, enabling cross-study comparisons and trend analysis across locations and time periods.

Yes. Compusense supports lab testing, CLTs, and HUTs, ensuring standardized methodology across teams and production sites globally.

Compusense supports discrimination tests (triangle, tetrad, duo-trio), descriptive analysis (Spectrum™, QDA®, Free Choice Profiling, temporal methods), consumer tests (hedonic, preference, CATA, JAR), and quality control tests such as shelf-life and difference-from-control.

Compusense offers one-click statistics (ANOVA, post-hoc tests, penalty analysis, and more), AI-powered comment analysis, visual data exploration, automated PowerPoint/Word/Excel reporting, and cross-study insights.

Compusense includes 40+ validated question types spanning scales, temporal methods, discrimination formats, preference questions, and open-ended responses.

Yes. Manage custom demographic fields, track participation, organize incentives, and recruit panelists using advanced criteria. Self-scheduling with demographic quotas ensures balanced study participation.

Yes. Our team assists with panelist imports, study template recreation, and with some data migration to ensure a smooth transition.

Yes. We offer a 1-month evaluation period that includes access to the software and support. This gives your team time to run real workflows and experience the platform before making a purchase decision.

Request a demo at Compusense.com. After a needs discussion and quote, you'll receive an evaluation environment with guided onboarding from our Client Success team.

Yes. With the purchase of Compusense, you receive 4 hours of online training. You receive access to our support area that has documentation and videos at no extra cost.

It takes up to 5 business days to set up the subscription and provide access. Our Client Success team handles setup, template creation, and training.

A standard Compusense subscription includes 1 user group, 3 named analyst users, analyst SSO, 2 data collection websites, full access to scheduling and panelist recruitment tools, all question types with their corresponding reports, and unlimited data collection.

Spectrum™, QDA®, Free Choice Profiling, temporal methods, Napping, and Flash Profiling.

Hedonic tests measure liking intensity; preference tests ask which product consumers prefer.

After discrimination testing, during ingredient or process refinements, for marketplace benchmarking, and for validating new product concepts.

Most quantitative consumer tests require 75–150 participants, with 100+ recommended for segmentation.

Descriptive panels usually include 8–12 trained assessors with replication.

Use discrimination tests for ingredient changes, supplier assessments, process changes, packaging updates, and shelf-life evaluations.

Typically 40+ panelists, depending on the method and objectives.

Discrimination testing asks whether products differ. Descriptive analysis measures how products differ across attributes.

Yes. Run calibration sessions, track panel performance, and maintain panel consistency over time.

Yes. Segment by demographics, consumption habits, dietary needs, location, or any custom field relevant to your study.

Use incentive tracking, automated reminders, and built-in communication tools to encourage participation and retention.

Yes. Compusense works on smartphones, tablets, desktops, and laptops.

Recruit panelists based on demographic or custom criteria. Panelists can self-schedule while you manage quotas and ensure balanced participation.

Yes. Monitor participation and interim data in real time during study execution.

Spider plots, bar graphs, PCA maps, temporal charts, and other sensory and statistical visualizations.

Use cross-study insights to monitor trends, track product performance, and ensure quality consistency over time.

Yes. Compusense provides ready to go reports and provides you with the ability to build your own PowerPoint.

Yes. AI-powered comment analysis identifies themes, drivers of preference, and improvement opportunities.

Yes. Export to PowerPoint, Excel, and Word, or integrate with analytics tools via APIs.

ANOVA, post-hoc tests, penalty analysis, and descriptive statistics—all available with one-click processing.

Compusense works on all modern web browsers and devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

Yes. Compusense is widely used in sensory labs with individual booths, supporting private login, randomized sample presentation, and controlled testing environments.

Yes. The platform supports multiple languages and enables consistent methodologies across global teams.

Compusense uses secure, redundant cloud backups to ensure data protection and availability.

Yes. Provide Compusense Support with the specific access and permissions you would like your users to have.

No. It is fully browser-based and requires no local installation.

ERP, PLM, product databases, POS systems, and BI platforms like Power BI and Tableau.

Yes. Compusense is SOC 2 Type 2 compliance attestation and GDPR compliant, following industry-leading security and data privacy standards.

The Resource Center includes blogs, videos, whitepapers, documentation, and the Compusense Academic Consortium blog that posts monthly published articles.

No. Support is included in your subscription and is a core part of Compusense's value.

Yes. Compusense provides consulting for training, study design, analytical support, and customized sensory solutions.

Award-winning support is available from 3am–6pm EST in English, French, and Spanish. Most issues are resolved within 24 hours by sensory and technical experts.