Administrative Capability Now an Essential Component for WebSphere MQ Management Tools, Says META Group; Latest METAspectrum Market Evaluation Released Today

Business Wire, Oct 22, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 22, 2002

META Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: METG), today announced the availability of its newest METAspectrum(SM) market evaluation for the WebSphere MQ management tool market.

According to META Group, monitoring capabilities have traditionally been viewed as a basic element of management toolsets, but administrative capability is a key differentiator and an equally important element for managing WebSphere MQ.

METAspectrum, a new methodology designed to help IT executives navigate the changing IT vendor landscape, has been hailed in user demonstrations as the industry's most rigorous approach for assessing IT software, hardware, and services vendors. The METAspectrum for WebSphere MQ management tools rates vendors whose tools provide performance monitoring and administration for the IBM WebSphere MQ product family.

According to the evaluation, the WebSphere MQ management tool market is currently stagnant, with an annual growth rate of 4%-5%. There are few new tools entering the market that provide only basic monitoring, not administrative capabilities, for WebSphere MQ and the Application Server. But it is still an important market.

"It is a relatively mature market that is seeing growth around it, and its criticality is increasing," says Corey Ferengul, vice president with META Group's Service Management Strategies service. "It's a good time for end users to get an understanding of these tools because of the complexity involved in comparing them. The market is difficult for customers because the tools have matured and the evaluation criteria have become overly detailed. A simple feature/function comparison doesn't delineate the vendors."

The WebSphere MQ management tools are nearly mature, but administrative capabilities are driving further maturity, expected to plateau by 2006. Until then, a vendor's success in the market will depend on its presence, not its performance. The "WebSphere MQ Management Tools" METAspectrum is META Group's first evaluation of infrastructure and applications management (IAM) tools. META Group plans to release more management tool evaluations at the beginning of next year on additional IAM markets, including help desk, desktop management, and business perspective management.

About METAspectrum

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. There are multiple market evaluations planned for release in 2002. METAspectrum evaluations are a standard component of a META Group retainer service subscription and are updated quarterly, biannually, or annually, depending on the characteristics of individual markets. To learn more about the METAspectrum methodology, visit www.metagroup.com/metaspectrum or call (800) 945-META (6382). 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.