InformationWeek

November 16, 1998

Methodology

Analyzing The Integrators

Fortune One's Outsourcing Challenge

For Some, Small Vendors Are Better

Merger Mania Vs. Merger Meltdown

Palmisano Extends IBM Relationships

CSC Chief Emphasizes Flexibility

Sprinkle Delivers For Deloitte

For Aris, Boutique Is Bountiful

Vendors Plan For Post-2000 Work

Behind The Numbers: Sizing Up The Integrators

Research Charts

InformationWeek Research, in partnership with sister CMP Media publications Network Computing, Computer Reseller News, and VARBusiness, conducted a customer-satisfaction study in late September and October of IT managers with purchasing authority or management responsibility for their organization's relationship with one of the leading U.S. systems integrators and outsourcers. To participate in the vendor evaluations, the managers must have engaged one of the 10 vendors, selected by InformationWeek editors, within the past 12 months. Study participants subscribe to InformationWeek and/or Network Computing, but their names weren't provided by the vendors.

In all, 500 evaluations were completed, or 50 for each of the 10 vendors. IT managers were eligible to evaluate up to three of the vendors; thus, a total of 380 separate telephone interviews were completed. The evaluators work mostly in IT organizations at for-profit companies with 500 or more employees. In addition, the evaluators' organizations must be engaged with IT vendors in areas such as Internet hosting, network services, application development, year 2000 remediation and testing, ERP integration, extranets, help desk, systems management, and PC support and procurement.

The 10 vendors were selected mainly on the basis of U.S. revenue from integration and outsourcing engagements. Niche or specialty integrators and outsourcers, such as those that concentrate on networking or government accounts, were excluded.

InformationWeek wishes to thank Dataquest for supplying most of the revenue data. InformationWeek also contacted the vendors to obtain financial data and other information used throughout this package.