Research Companies (Global Market)

According to the consulting company Lighthouse AR as of January 2013, calculated on the basis of the number of participants in the research of leading companies, Gartner, Ovum, Forrester, HfS Research, Pierre Audoin Consultants (PAC), IDC and Frost & Sl.

Based on a survey of international experts who were selected through social networks and represented different countries of the world (mostly America and EMEA - more than 90%), Lighthouse compiled a diagram of the growth and decline in the profile of key research companies in the IT market.

Firms that grew/lost credibility in 2012

Lighthouse, 2013

Interestingly, among the most authoritative research companies and those whose authority has faltered as much as possible, are the same companies: Gartner, Forrester and IDC. In addition, many negative reviews during the survey were received about the Aberdeen Group, as the company's research is regarded as a marketing game tool. Among the companies with the largest "net increase" in authority were Ovum, HfS Research, Pierre Audoin Consulting (PAC) and Constellation Research.

Separately, experts note the growing influence of research by Tier II companies. For example, HfS Research was founded only in 2010, perfectly fit into the chosen niche, and the company also managed to attract a number of experts from the Everest Group, which ensured the company's success.

Pierre Audoin Consultants (PAC) is one of the oldest market players (the European company was founded in 1976), but recently it has made some significant acquisitions from former Gartner and Ovum experts. Also, the success of this company was facilitated by the creation of a powerful base in Eastern Europe and the purchase of Berlecon.

Constellation Research entered the market only in 2010, the key to the success of the company is the use of a non-standard personnel model, when analysts are involved both on an ongoing basis and independent experts working for themselves, which provided the company with access to talent.

The recession in the world market has made its adjustments to the work of research companies. Those who were able to offer the most flexible conditions for vendors were successful, because it was the latter who were the main participants in the surveys. There was also a reorientation of business models: second-tier firms earn up to 2/3 of their revenue from consulting, while for giants the basis of income is directly the sale of research.

It is also interesting to compare the results with the data of the 2006 survey: then Gartner, Forrester and Ovum also got into the first tier. In the second tier were the companies Aberdeen Group, AMR, Burton Group and IDC. The significance of Aberdeen to date is debated, while AMR and Burton Group were acquired by Gartner. The IDC positions have not changed significantly.