IT Analytics Benchmark Research from Ventana Research Finds New Opportunity

PLEASANTON, CA, January 11, 2011 (Press-News.org) Organizations see improving their use of IT analytics as a way to drive better performance of individuals and business units, new benchmark research from Ventana Research indicates. But while more than half of organizations recognize that change is needed, only 28 percent are planning to change the way they generate and apply analytics in the next 12 to 18 months. The research makes clear that most organizations have room to mature in their use of IT analytics, with more than half ranking at the two lowest of the four maturity levels in the Ventana Research Maturity Index.

The in-depth benchmark research on IT Analytics released today, the latest from the leading business technology research firm, analyzed hundreds of organizations around the world to assess the maturity and direction of their efforts. Ventana Research undertook this benchmark research to acquire real-world information about maturity, trends and best practices in how organizations use analytics and key indicators to optimize their IT processes and operations. It explores how they do this now, how their employees view the current processes and tools, plans they have to change or improve them, and benefits they hope to gain by doing so.

The findings offer fresh research-based information on companies' attitudes toward IT analytics. They confirm that organizations use a variety of IT analytics, but the data the research amassed indicates that IT's concerns currently center on cost and operational efficiency. The research also finds strong suggestions that organizations need to involve more people in the process of establishing requirements for defining analytics.

For analytics to deliver value, they must be available to those who need them; the research shows that this is an issue for many organizations. No more than half have analytics generally available to address any of seven major IT management tasks, and only for budget analysis are analytics completely available in even one-fourth of organizations. In a related finding, more than half (54%) said it is very important to make it simpler to provide analytics and metrics. As well, 37 percent said they can significantly improve their use of analytics and performance indicators, and 35 percent are not satisfied with the process currently used to create analytics.

"The IT department typically stands last in line for resources and technology to manage its own performance," noted David Menninger, VP and Research Director - Information Technology Research at Ventana Research. "In most cases IT cannot apply the same level of analytics to its own operations that it provides to business units. To the extent that the result is subpar performance of its core information systems, the business will suffer. To break out of this frustrating cycle, IT needs metrics and measurements, which means it needs analytics to standardize and routinely generate them. This research makes clear that IT and the organization it serves have a ways to go to satisfy that need."

Ventana Research will detail the findings of this benchmark research in a live interactive webinar on January 26th, 2011 at 11:00am Pacific time that will discuss the research findings and offer recommendations for improvement. Key research findings to be discussed will include:

- top ten recommendations for organizations to act on immediately.
- the current state of organizations' thinking on how best to apply IT analytics.
- top patterns in the adoption of new methods of analytics.
- the types of IT metrics and indicators are most important.
- the current state, future direction of and potential investments in analytics.
- the competencies required for IT analytics.

Register for the Webinar - http://www.ventanaresearch.com/itam/itam.aspx?id=4120

Those interested in learning more about the benchmark research can find additional information at http://www.ventanaresearch.com/itam/. As a part of your registration you will receive insights and education from Ventana Research on using technology effectively in business.

About Ventana Research
Ventana Research is the leading benchmark research and advisory services firm. We provide expert guidance to help organizations manage and optimize performance - to become not only more efficient but more effective. Our unparalleled insights and best practices guidance are based on our rigorous research-based benchmarking indexes of people, processes, information and technology across business and IT functions worldwide. The combination we offer of benchmark research, rigorous market coverage and in-depth knowledge of hundreds of technology providers means we can deliver business and technology education and expertise to our clients where and when needed. The Ventana Research Indexes - the Value Index and the Benchmark Index family - have redefined the research industry by providing accessible, easy-to-use research-based business and technology guidance to businesses.

Ventana Research provides the most comprehensive analyst and research coverage in the industry; the many business and IT professionals worldwide who are members of our community benefit from Ventana Research's insights, as do highly regarded media and association partners around the globe. Our views and analyses are distributed daily through blogs and social media channels including Twitter (http://twitter.com/ventanaresearch), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pleasanton-CA/Ventana-Research/69483545408?ref=ts), LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=1625427&trk=anet_ug_hm), and Business Week's Business Exchange (http://bx.businessweek.com/). Ventana Research was ranked the #1 analyst firm you can trust in enterprise software for 2009 for its relevance to the industry. We focus on business and technology trends and best practices that maximize organizations' potential to perform while reducing the time, cost and risk and still achieve optimal outcomes.

Media: Copies of benchmark research report and interviews are available upon request.

Media Contact: Marisela Reynoso (925) 474-0060 marketing@ventanaresearch.com