Government Insights Survey Reveals System Integrators Effectively Serve Government.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- Results of a recent survey conducted by Government Insights, an IDC Company, indicate that government IT decision makers are satisfied with the overall performance of System Integrator (SI) service providers. In responding to the survey, over half (57%) of government decision-makers indicated that they are "very satisfied" with the performance of the primary market players. This survey, part of Government Insights' Confidence of Success Indicators research, represents the view of 100 government respondents, primarily contract and acquisition management professionals.

"Survey respondents also indicated significant levels of satisfaction with system integrators' teaming on three critical areas; strategy development, execution, and value," says David Perara, research director, Government Insights. "These survey results indicate that as government is shifting to business solutions requiring a strategic partnership that extends beyond traditional software, products, and services delivery, system integrators are transforming how they serve the government."

Details and explanation of these survey results are presented in a Government Insights report, Federal Government SI Confidence in Success Indicator Survey: Indications for Market Players. This is the first in a series of the Confidence of Success Indicators (CSI) reports focused on service providers that are designed to assist governments in making informed IT decisions to improve the efficiency of IT services and business solutions, based on government-specific performance criteria.

"The role of System Integrators is changing in this marketplace," states Teresa Bozzelli, COO and managing director of Government Insights. "Increasing accountability for compliance and efficiency; tightly constrained government budgets; and demands for improved government services all dictate the need for efficient government SI solutions. The standardization of technology, automation of formerly manual tasks, and proliferation of tools to ease the burden of integration are starting to shift the focus of many System Integrators from actually doing the integration work to managing the process of integration."

Government Insights research demonstrates high satisfaction with the System Integrator role in IT services. With increasing spending on services, the successful management of SI contracts will directly affect the competitive landscape. Additionally, competition for SI contracts will increase, with new entrants and large primary service providers seeking to take advantage of growing business opportunities. This study also states that SI programs will remain key to transforming government toward total business solutions and mission demands.

Evaluation of System Integrators

The second part of the Federal Government SI Confidence in Success Indicator Survey: Indications for Market Players report provides evaluation metrics of System Integrators based on a number of primary and secondary sources, including this recent survey, and profiles three major System Integrators: Accenture, CSC, and Northrop Grumman. The comparisons include breadth of coverage, services/solutions, and Department of Defense (DoD) penetration.

"To successfully compete in the entire government SI market, firms must demonstrate that they are qualified to complete both DoD and civilian SI programs," states Perara. "DoD programs represent slightly more than 50% of the government market, and pose unique challenges from management and operational levels," he adds.

The study, entitled Federal Government SI Confidence in Success Indicator Survey: Indications for Market Players (Doc # GI205026), presents survey findings, provides essential guidance for government decision makers, and profiles three major System Integrators. An update to the report will provide ratings and profiles for seven additional primary service providers. This study is available at http://www.idc.com.

To attend a Web Conference that reviews these survey results and profiles three major System Integrator players, register at: http://www.government-insights.com/csi.

Survey Methodology:

During November and December 2006, Government Insights conducted 100 telephone interviews with randomly selected government officials to complete the Federal Government SI Confidence in Success Indicator (CSI) Survey. All government officials had experience with system integrators. For anonymity and randomness in this study, Government Insights used a third party survey firm to select respondents and conduct these interviews.

About Government Insights, an IDC Company

Government Insights, an IDC company, provides government organizations and IT vendors who serve them with research-based advisory and consulting services that enable government executives to maximize the value of their technology investments; minimize technology risk through accurate planning; benchmark themselves against industry peers; adopt industry best practices for organizational/technology alignment; make more informed technology decisions; and drive technology-enabled performance and innovation. Government Insights provides full coverage of the government value chain, with special emphasis on developing and employing strategies that leverage IT investments to maximize organizational performance. Staffed by senior analysts with significant experience in government, Government Insights provides a portfolio of research and advisory services that are relevant to the needs of both the government and IT vendor communities. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research and events company.

For more information go to www.government-insights.com.