Ventana Research Finds Plans for Information Management Increasing Dramatically and Significant Diversification of Technology Portfolios

Business Wire, Nov 28, 2006

The First Comprehensive Research Study Ever Conducted on Information Management From Over 745 Companies Examines Maturity, Trends and Direction

SAN MATEO, Calif. -- Ventana Research has completed landmark research on over 745 companies in Information Management that identifies the maturity, trends and direction of the industry.

"Our research found that organizations are striving towards more accurate and comprehensive information on which to base their important business decisions. The research shows businesses are ready to transform into information driven organizations in 2007 and beyond through advanced use of technology," said Mark Smith, CEO and EVP of Research at Ventana Research.

Among the key research findings, Ventana Research found:

* Information management is just beginning to mature. Nearly two-thirds of organizations (66%) are still in the early stages of information management maturity, with the large majority of organizations built on entry-level technologies such as data warehousing and business intelligence (BI).

* Data governance is not widespread but is rated a high priority. More than half of respondents reported that their organizations do not publish a formal data governance policy but those that do tend to be large companies.

* Broad diversification of Information Management is underway. While our research found a heavy existing focus on BI, data warehousing, data quality and data integration, there is a significant diversification underway with new projects in progress or planned in enterprise master data management, enterprise search, information security, enterprise information integration, and data governance.

* Customer information is the most important but followed by financial then product information assets. Customer information holds the highest priority among the information assets of companies, according to survey respondents. Over 50 percent of organizations ranked customer information first followed by financial information with 36 percent.

Ventana Research, the leading provider of Performance Management research and advisory services, will expand on the key findings of the research study Information Management Actions, Intentions, Perceptions and Trends in Information at a live interactive webinar on Tuesday, December 5 at 9:00am Pacific.

Sign up for the webinar at www.ventanaresearch.com.

The research, sponsored by technology providers Business Objects and IBM, is based on an analysis of 747 validated respondents. The survey was conducted with the assistance of media partners that included AIIM Expo, BI Review, BusinessIntelligence.com, DM Review, Intelligent Enterprise, IT BusinessEdge, SearchDataManagement.com and Technology Evaluation Centers.

About Ventana Research

Ventana Research is the leading research and advisory services firm focused on the intersection of people, processes, information and technology to enable breakthrough performance. By providing expert insight and detailed guidance, Ventana Research helps clients operate their companies more efficiently and effectively. To learn how Ventana Research Performance Management workshops, assessments and advisory services can impact your bottom line, visit www.ventanaresearch.com.

[c] 2006 Ventana Research