As I have cautioned several times, Evalubase's research method comprises an ongoing study of the enterprise technology market. While our method is imminently more empirical (and far less magical) than "quadrant" type charts and doesn't include any vendor supplied data whatsoever, some of our data is quite preliminary. We caution vendors in particular about spouting any of these findings without checking with us first.

That disclaimer out of the way, here are current overall technology and vendor ratings for solutions/vendors predominant in the data warehouse market. Vendors offering business intelligence, data integration, data administration/modeling, data quality and metadata management solutions were selected for this comparison.

Overall technology ratings comprise user-supplied ratings of functionality, performance, scalability, maintainability, usability, security, portability, ease of integration, ease of implementation, satisfaction and value. Overall vendor ratings comprise user scores of the vendor's credibility, responsiveness, ingenuity, support, vitality, sales process, marketing, legal & accounting functions, licensing practices, and services & training capabilities.

At present, Actuate, Embarcadero, Ascential, Business Objects, Data Advantage Group, Firstlogic and SAS enjoy an early overall lead. Following them are Computer Associates, MelissaData, Siebel, DataFlux, i-Way, Information Builders, Informatica, Microstrategy and Cognos.

View Evalubase Chart

Many of the current scores are actually pretty close. We'll see what happens over time as you and your colleagues participate in the ongoing study. In time, we'll compare particular attributes of key competitors and study how (for example) their customer support ratings and ROI numbers evolve over time.

See you at the TDWI and Wilshire/DAMA events this month!

Just telling IT like it is,
Doug

Be sure to make your voice heard, get instant peer comparison scorecards, and qualify for complimentary access to all Evalubase research. Submit a confidential evaluation or two of your favorite (or least favorite) BI products today: www.evalubase.com

When asked about which factors were most important in selecting one data management solution over another, users are indicating that performance and functionality characteristics of candidate solutions were paramount. View Evalubase chart

With data volumes, velocity, and variety continuing to grow at a staggering pace, it’s no wonder why buyers of data integration and database products, for example, currently rate these factors most significant.

Following performance and functionality in importance were stability, cost-of-ownership, and ease of use. Least important in the decision are scalability, ease-of-integration, and vendor reputation.

Conversely, those involved in selecting and purchasing business intelligence tools have paramount concerns about tools' abilities to integrate with other solutions. View Evalubase chart

Next most important to BI buyers is product stability and cost of ownership. Least important are scalability and vendor reputation. So why aren't BI buyers concerned (relatively speaking) with scalability? These solutions are already proven to be scalable? Web-based implementations are naturally scalable? Probably a little of each.

See you at the upcoming TDWI and and Wilshire/DAMA events this month!

Just telling IT like it is,
Doug

Be sure to make your voice heard, get instant peer comparison scorecards, and qualify for complimentary access to all Evalubase research. Submit a confidential evaluation or two of your favorite (or least favorite) BI products today: www.evalubase.com