We are happy to share some insights about IBM drawn from our latest market research, Ventana Research Buyers Guide: Business Planning, which assesses how well vendors’ offerings meet buyers’ requirements.
In all of our Buyers Guides, we utilize a structured research methodology called the Value Index that includes evaluation categories designed to reflect real-world criteria incorporated 
in a request for proposal (RFP) and vendor selection process. We evaluated IBM and 12 other vendors in seven categories, five relevant to the product (adaptability, capability, manageability, reliability and usability) and two related to the vendor (TCO/ROI and vendor validation). To arrive at the Value Index rating for a given vendor, we weighted each category to reflect its relative importance in an RFP process, with the weightings based on our experience and on data derived from our benchmark research on business planning.
Our analysis classified IBM as Exemplary, receiving an overall grade of A- with an 85.9% performance. IBM’s best grouped results came in Customer Experience at 87.7%
performance and an A grade due in part to its 89.1% in Validation. In Product Experience, IBM received an A- grade with an 85.3% performance due to its 92.1% performance in Adaptability. IBM was designated a Leader in Adaptability and Capability. IBM fully participated in the RFI process.
IBM’s A- grade in Product Experience was impacted by its B++ in Usability where it could enhance its accessibility. Customer Experience was impacted by its A- grade in TCO/ROI where it could improve the tools it provides prospective buyers.
IBM performed best in Customer Experience with an A grade, notably in Validation, receiving an A due to its customer commitment. In Product Experience it received an A grade due to its A in Adaptability where it is strong in configuration, and an A- in Capability for its support of advanced planning techniques.
This assessment was based on IBM Planning Analytics with Watson, v. 2.0.9.18, released July 2023.
This research-based guide is the most comprehensive assessment of the value of business planning software in the industry. Technology buyers can learn more about how to use our Buyers Guide by clicking here and included vendors that wish to learn more can click here. Read the report here.
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