Buyer Confusion Inhibits BPMS Market Growth, According to META Group; Investing in BPMS Tools Remains a 'Strategic' Imperative for the Adaptive Organization.STAMFORD, Conn. -- CIOs Must Navigate Obscure Product Differentiation Product Differentiation A source of competitive advantage that depends on producing some item that is regarded to have unique and valuable characteristics. , Technology Evolution and Market Transition The characteristic most commonly shared among business process management suite (BPMS (Business Process Management Suite or System) See BPM. ) buyers, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. META Group (Nasdaq: METG METG Military Effects Test Group ), a leading provider of information technology (IT) research, advisory services advisory services advisory services provided to the public, in their capacity as owners and managers of animals, are an important part of veterinary science. They may be provided by government bureaux, by commercial companies who deal in pharmaceuticals or animals or animal , and strategic consulting, is confusion. While CIOs are largely aware of the strategic imperative of business process innovation and optimization, they must navigate a tumultuous market characterized by over 140 vendors, continued acquisitions and new market entrants. In order to help buyers more effectively navigate this complex marketplace, META Group today announced the availability of a METAspectrum(SM) report on the BPMS market. Due to the proliferation of vendors and the significant confusion as to what constitutes a BPMS product, the report is limited to a subset of providers - Java-Based Pure Play BPMS tool vendors. METAspectrum evaluations for additional segments of the marketplace will be released throughout 2005. "Despite the fragmented market, one principle applies to all business process management technology - its importance to organizations seeking to gain control over processes, integrate business silos, foster business/IT partnerships and increase business adaptability," said Janelle Hill, VP and Research Practice Lead for Business Process Management at META Group. "However, while the benefits of BPMS are undeniable, the current market landscape poses more questions than answers for CIOs." Foremost among the questions is, 'when.' As the adaptive organization concept matures, the BPMS market will transition into a more broadly defined SOA-enabling software infrastructure market challenging the longevity of many of today's BPMS vendors beyond 2006. Organizations must, therefore, be aware that investing in BPMS tools now will likely require some rework re·work tr.v. re·worked, re·work·ing, re·works 1. To work over again; revise. 2. To subject to a repeated or new process. n. and reinvestment Reinvestment Using dividends, interest and capital gains earned in an investment or mutual fund to purchase additional shares or units, rather than receiving the distributions in cash. 1. In terms of stocks, it is the reinvestment of dividends to purchase additional shares. later. However, as with many emerging technologies, META Group advises that the benefits of current investment outweigh the risks of waiting until standards and products mature. "Today's global business climate, with its increasing compliance mandates and organizational risk, justifies early BPMS investment," continued Hill. "The question CIOs should be asking is not when, but where, how and with whom." The METAspectrum report, which evaluated 13 vendors that go-to-market as BPMS product providers, found no one dominant market leader and obscure differentiation. The vendors evaluated are segregated into three categories: leaders, challengers and followers followers see dairy herd. . Those in the leader category have several characteristics in common - an international presence, competitive offerings in all suite components and over 50 clients with strong references. They further have a strong focus on end-user modeling and a strategic view that recognizes the transition to a broader long-term software infrastructure platform. Companies in the challenger category are fierce competitors with little perceived differentiation to the average buyer. On the whole, this group will remain vulnerable through 2006 if they are unable to increase their customer base by clearly defining their value-add relative to the leaders. Followers will face an even more difficult struggle to survive unless they establish a viable alternative business model, are acquired or identify a defensible de·fen·si·ble adj. Capable of being defended, protected, or justified: defensible arguments. de·fen market niche. Beyond the competitive landscape, META Group suggests that CIOs looks to specific product offerings as they decide how to invest their BPMS dollars. Specifically, buyers should develop a shortlist short·list also short-list n. A list of preferable items or candidates that have been selected for final consideration, as in making an award or filling a position. Noun 1. of BPMS tools, considering each of the following six criteria in addition to technical functionality: 1. The tool's fit with enterprise development skills and environment 2. The tool's support for the company's initial BPMS use case(s) 3. The ease of integration across business silos 4. The ease of modeling 5. Cost 6. The potential stability of the vendor "CIOs will need to do substantial homework and due diligence Research; analysis; your homework. This term has caught on in all industries, because it sounds so "wired." Who would want to do analysis or research when they can do due diligence. See wired. before investing in this evolving marketplace," concluded Hill. "Investment in BPMS is, nevertheless, critical for companies to remain competitive in this complex operating environment In computing, an operating environment is the environment in which users run programs, whether in a command line interface, such as in MS-DOS or the Unix shell, or in a graphical user interface, such as in the Macintosh operating system. ." About METAspectrum META Group's METAspectrum(SM) provides a framework for evaluating or selecting an appropriate IT vendor or product, simplifies the decision process, and enables more effective technology investments. META Group's research efforts, which adhere to adhere to verb 1. follow, keep, maintain, respect, observe, be true, fulfil, obey, heed, keep to, abide by, be loyal, mind, be constant, be faithful 2. META Group's commitment to objectivity, are conducted independently, based on industry best-practice research methodologies and subject to the highest levels of review by META Group's research community. To learn more about METAspectrum, visit metagroup.com/metaspectrum or call (800) 945-META. About META Group META Group is a leading provider of information technology research, advisory services, and strategic consulting. Delivering objective and actionable guidance, META Group's experienced analysts and consultants are trusted advisors to IT and business executives around the world. Our unique collaborative models and dedicated customer service help clients be more efficient, effective, and timely in their use of IT to achieve their business goals. Visit metagroup.com for more details on our high-value approach. |
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