Trends Report

SRM Needs Services To Succeed

IBM Shows It Gets This By Acquiring Storage Service Provider NovusCG

January 22nd, 2008
Andrew Reichman, null
Andrew Reichman
With contributors:
Stephanie Balaouras , Rachel A. Dines

Summary

The storage resource management (SRM) market has been stagnant for years, despite significant needs on the part of storage end users. A big part of this low adoption rate is the combination of complex tools on the market and limited bandwidth for implementation in environments considering purchase. It has become something of a paradox, with firms desperate for improvement in storage environment management, but unable to fix the problem because they are too busy fighting fires in their chaotic environments. The solution could well lie in professional services if product vendors can field experts who can help buyers get SRM tools up and running and adding value without smothering productivity. SRM vendors also can get invaluable feedback on their products through the professional services teams that use tools in real world situations. IBM appears to realize this, and with the acquisition of Novus Consulting Group (NovusCG) has the potential to take a big step forward in SRM product and delivery capabilities. Customers should give serious consideration to the hybrid product/service offerings IBM is likely to offer as a result of this deal.

Want to read the full report?

Contact us to become a client

This report is available for individual purchase ($1495).

Forrester helps business and technology leaders use customer obsession to accelerate growth. That means empowering you to put the customer at the center of everything you do: your leadership strategy, and operations. Becoming a customer-obsessed organization requires change — it requires being bold. We give business and technology leaders the confidence to put bold into action, shaping and guiding how to navigate today's unprecedented change in order to succeed.