Leadership Grids for business solution services.

IDC has analyzed the largest European solution services players on their opportunity alignment and ability to gain share in the Western European SCM, CRM, and overall business solution services market in a series of three studies. The studies present IDC's 2004 Leadership Grids for each of the three segments, as well as 2003 market shares. In order to position the vendors on the IDC Leadership Grid, IDC has estimated each vendor's opportunity alignment and ability to gain share. The studies discuss each vendor's position, with strengths and weaknesses according to IDC's criteria. To separate leaders from followers, IDC has assessed many criteria, including completeness of solution services offerings, completeness of total services offerings, market momentum, brand, and geographical spread. In order to assess a company's ability to gain share, IDC also has paid special attention to management focus, innovation, and pursuit capabilities. The top 20 solution service providers represent around 60% of the total solution services market in Western Europe and consist of a mixture of large multinational firms and more local or regional firms with a strong domestic customer base. This shows that there is not one set recipe for success in the solution services market. IBM Global Services is the European solution services leader, closely followed by Accenture and with Capgemini in third place.

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