The worldwide systems integration (SI) services market is evolving. Moving forward, managing an SI services business will alter significantly due to changes in buying behavior, consolidation, global sourcing strategies, standardization of technology, evolution of the software environment, and the greater acceptance of outsourcing. IDC's Systems Integration Business Strategies service examines the dynamics affecting the SI services market by analyzing key trends and drivers, and evaluating the competitive landscape for companies currently competing in, partnering in, or entering the market. The service also identifies and evaluates marketing and sales strategies, partnering approaches, business models, and global sourcing strategies of leading and emerging systems integrators. Subscribers to this service receive direct access to IDC's top industry experts, who can supply competitive analysis and positioning advice, identify strategic partnering opportunities, assist with speaking to the investment community, provide press quotes, and more.

This service covers the following segments of the systems integration services market:

• U.S. and worldwide systems integration
• U.S. and worldwide custom application development

Throughout the year, IDC's Systems Integration Business Strategies service will address the following topics:

• Benchmark of performance metrics and pricing trends
• Opportunities in major ISV services ecosystems
• Competitive analysis and brand image
• Best-practice methodologies for SI projects
• Worldwide SI spending forecast by region
• Top 10 systems integrators and custom application developers
• Impact of service oriented architecture (SOA) and Web services on the SI opportunity
• Global sourcing model and price erosion
• Skill transformation for SI project delivery

Our research addresses the following issues that are critical to your success:

1. What are the industry benchmarks for key performance indicators, such as hourly rates, utilization rates, and revenue per consultant?
2. Who are the leading integrators for ISVs, such as SAP and Oracle, in specific vertical industries and around specific solution areas?
3. Who are the leading SIs, and what is their market position?
4. How are SIs adapting their service offerings to capitalize on the trend toward open standards-based middleware and applications by the leading ISVs?
5. What is the scope of the SI market, and what are the primary drivers that affect its growth and development?
6. How is SI project delivery changing, and what impact will this have on skill sets going forward?

IDC's Systems Integration Business Strategies service examines the systems integration services market, analyzing its key trends and drivers and evaluating the competitive landscape for companies currently competing in, partnering in, or entering the market, including:

Accenture, Atos Origin, BearingPoint, Capgemini, Cognizant, CSC, Deloitte, EDS, Fujitsu, Hitachi, HP, IBM Global Services, Infosys, Lockheed Martin, LogicaCMG, Microsoft, Northrop Grumman, Oracle, SAIC, SAP, Siemens Business Services, Tata Consultancy Services, Unisys, and Wipro.

Throughout the year, this service will offer insight into the latest trends impacting the market. Potential studies include:

This study provides industry averages for key performance metrics that an executive managing an SI services business should be aware of and monitor on a regular basis. The document analyzes project and revenue metrics and pricing trends, and it offers insight into the differences in these metrics by industry and technology product, where applicable. The study also offers recommendations to SIs using such metrics to manage their business.

In this study, IDC discusses the competitive landscape in the SAP and Oracle ecosystems, among others, in select verticals and solution areas. The document discusses the trends and dynamics within the ecosystems and profiles the top players. In addition, the study provides case studies of solutions developed by the ISV and SI and discusses the critical success factors. The document also examines how SIs are adapting their ERP practices to capitalize on the trends in the enterprise application ISV industry.

This document defines the opportunities available to services firms looking to capitalize on the demand for SI services. The study discusses the major drivers, inhibitors, and trends overall and by geographic region. The document makes predictions and recommendations for players competing in the SI services space. The study also discusses the competitive landscape and provides a ranking of the top 10 systems integrators worldwide and in the United States.

This document examines the tools, techniques, and methodologies SIs are using to deliver successful projects. The study discusses best practices in SI project management as well as the challenges in managing distributed project teams. It examines the role repeatable solutions and methodologies play in ensuring project success, profitability, and predictability. The document also discusses the changing mix of skill sets required on SI projects.

IDC offers a complete market intelligence solution customized to meet your business requirements. The array of products and services available to you includes:

• The opportunity to have your specific questions answered through personal interaction with industry experts who cover the topics and markets in your service
• Around-the-clock access to our market intelligence on idc.com, IDC's personalized Web experience
• A view of the market's future with 12 months of continuous intelligence about its direction and the reasons behind it, along with actionable advice for taking advantage of existing and emerging opportunities
• Special client discount pricing on purchases of research from other services
• Complimentary admission to IDC's annual Directions conference, where you'll hear our latest forecasts and network with IDC analysts and other industry professionals
• Complimentary invitations to monthly executive telebriefings, interactive forums designed to provide you with insights about research and strategies directly from IDC analysts

To find out how our flexible packaging options can meet your specific business needs, please contact your IDC sales executive.

As a privately held company, IDC believes that our customers are our primary constituency. A large percentage of every revenue dollar is reinvested back into our products, including more analysts, more geographic coverage, and extensive primary research.

Our steady growth over the past 10 years reflects our commitment to investing in our customers.