META Group Expects 85% of Global 2000 to Select an Enterprise Portal Framework by 2004; METAspectrum Evaluation of Enterprise Portal Frameworks Market Released Today

Business Wire, Nov 13, 2002

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 2002

META Group Inc. (Nasdaq:METG) today announced the availability of its Enterprise Portal Frameworks METAspectrum(SM) evaluation at DCI's Corporate and e-Business Portals Conference in Chicago.

Based on its findings, META Group expects 85% of the Global 2000 to have selected an enterprise portal framework by 2004. This METAspectrum evaluates products that provide a complete set of portal services and a programming interface for plugging in portal components. Portal frameworks can be used to build portals that address employee, partner, supplier and customer needs.

"The market leaders have proven their capabilities with strong technology, a distinct marketplace vision and fair pricing," said Craig Roth, vice president with META Group's Web & Collaboration Strategies service. "However, the portal market is still segmented, so organizations should carefully select a viable product that meets their specific needs rather than blindly picking one of the leaders."

The portal shakeout is not yet complete; however, mature, viable products are available and organizations that wait longer for this market to settle will likely lose competitive advantage. The platform and application vendors have proven they are in the market to stay, and their strong channels will help them challenge the standalone players that currently lead. As a result, market share will flip from 75% independents currently to 25% by 2005. We expect a continuing migration from portals as all-in-one applications to portals that work to unite existing infrastructure and add value through context management.

Key Findings and Guidance

The Enterprise Portal Frameworks METAspectrum evaluates 19 vendors in this market. Most products fall into the challenger category, because they generally have several gaps in terms of technology, B2B/B2C capabilities, or vision. However, each would make a fine portal framework for an organization that does not require the capabilities in which a given product is lacking. Followers have major gaps such as very small market share, inadequate technology, or questionable viability, yet any of them could become challengers with the right focus. The analysis found:

-- Products that enable personalized Web interfaces and dashboards for customers, partners and employees will become more prevalent, less risky and less expensive during the next 18 months.

-- Technology is currently the main decision criterion, but viability will increasingly be weighed more heavily as the solution becomes a foundation for various strategic initiatives.

-- Most vendors in the challenger category will remain viable, because they are generally anchored by other products, though sales channels and professional services are likely to be inhibitors in the long run.

-- The number of organizations that treat portals as core (non-discretionary) systems is expected to increase from less than 5% currently to 15% by 2004, reaching 35% by 2005.

About METAspectrum(SM)

METAspectrum evaluations from META Group provide IT professionals with a view into critical market success factors and vendor positioning. METAspectrum, in combination with META Group's SPEX modules -- which provide detailed technical analysis of product features and capabilities -- delivers comprehensive evaluations of both technology markets and vendor product offerings. METAspectrum evaluations are a standard component of a META Group retainer service subscription and are updated periodically, depending on the characteristics of individual markets. To learn more about the METAspectrum methodology, visit www.metagroup.com/metaspectrum or call 800/945-META. For more information on META Group's SPEX offerings, visit www.checkspex.com.

About META Group

META Group is a leading research and consulting firm, focusing on information technology and business transformation strategies. Delivering objective, consistent and actionable guidance, META Group enables organizations to innovate more rapidly and effectively. Our unique collaborative models help clients succeed by building speed, agility and value into their IT and business systems and processes. Connect with www.metagroup.com for more details.