HotTopics: IT Research Ripe for Change

Gartner's acquisition of META Group in December 2004 was only the latest symptom of a segment of the information industry in the midst of profound changes. This HotTopics documents the current state of the segment, its recent signs of growth recovery, and the challenges it faces in coming months. Among the market disruptions identified are an accelerating rate of acquisitions, the emergence of new disruptive players, and the rise of peer-to-peer networks as an alternative to the prevailing culture of analyst 'experts' in the segment. The HotTopics also lists three essential actions for IT market research vendors that want to survive: hone target market strategy; cover your flanks by monitoring new players and taking a defensive position; and acquire or be acquired by other companies in the current 18-month window of acquisition activity.