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PLEASANTON, Calif. - June 8, 2009 - Ventana Research today introduces its 2009 Value Index for Performance Management, the first of a new category of quantified, research-based Indexes. This new Value Index provides research-based metrics that will enable organizations to ascertain the value to them of existing and future technologies, systems and tools for business and IT in a simple and easy-to-use manner. Using the Value Index, businesses will be able to meet the challenge of evaluating vendors and their products and making choices based on an understanding of how well the offerings meet their needs.

The Value Index is the result of more than a decade of analysis of technology suppliers' products. The methodology used to produce the Value Index evaluates in detail aspects of product functionality and suitability-to-task as well as the effectiveness of vendor support for the buying process and customer assurance. The Index represents the value offered by a vendor and its products, using both a clear and accessible graphic representation in thermometer form and a precise numerical index. Those earning the highest Hot Vendor classification are those that Ventana Research certifies best represent buyer value based on a thorough evaluation and audit - that is, based on research and verifiable facts. The Value Index is not just a selection of "cool" products, and rather than merely representing a vendor on a four-quadrant chart, the Index provides a specific thermometer reading with a series of component metrics for a technology buyer to consider. Organizations can use the Value Index by determining their priorities and then consulting the Index to determine which vendors best meet those needs.

The 2009 Value Index for Performance Management indicates that the company delivering the highest value on an overall weighted evaluation basis is Information Builders, which earned the "Hot Vendor" rating, followed by Infor, IBM Cognos Software, Softscape and arcplan, all of which earned the "Warm" rating. Drilling down, the Value Index evaluation of product functionality using the Ventana Research PerformanceCycle methodology found that connects functionality to the decision making process rated the leader as Infor, followed by Symphony Metreo and IBM Cognos Software, all of which earned a "Hot Vendor" rating in this category.

"We are proud to unveil the first of our Ventana Research Indexes," said Mark Smith, CEO and executive vice president of Ventana Research. "This new research-based Value Index on Performance Management is the result of significant analysis and review of vendors and products. We congratulate all the participating vendors, as others chose not to face the level of scrutiny involved. Many vendor and product evaluations do not encompass the breadth and depth as does the Value Index - and, of course, as must organizations in assessing their existing suppliers or evaluating new ones."

This new research-based undertaking is neither sponsored nor influenced by technology vendors and is conducted in pursuit of Ventana Research's mission to provide value to business and IT through benchmark assessment, workshops and advisory services. Ventana Research's goal is to guide organizations to optimal efficiency in their use of technology investments for business and IT. To learn more about the Value Index for Performance Management, please visit http://www.ventanaresearch.com/valueindex.

About Ventana Research

Ventana Research is the leading benchmark research and advisory services firm. We provide expert guidance to help organizations manage and optimize performance - to become not only more efficient but more effective. Our unparalleled insights and best practices guidance are based on our rigorous research-based benchmarking indexes of people, processes, information and technology across business and IT functions worldwide. The combination we offer of benchmark research, rigorous market coverage and in-depth knowledge of hundreds of technology providers means we can deliver business and technology education and expertise to our clients where and when needed. The Ventana Research Indexes - the Value Index and the Benchmark Index family -have redefined the research industry by providing accessible, easy-to-use research-based business and technology guidance to businesses. Ventana Research provides the most comprehensive analyst coverage in the industry; more than 2.5 million business and IT professionals through our community of 85,000 professionals and network of media and association partners around the world benefit from Ventana Research's insights. Ventana Research focuses on business and technology trends and best practices that maximize organizations' potential to perform while reducing the time, cost and risk and still achieve optimal outcomes. To learn how Ventana Research advances the maturity of organizations use of information and technology through benchmark research, market indexes, education and advisory services, and also where to find us on Facebook or LinkedIn or how to follow us on Twitter or BusinessWeek's BusinessExchange, visit www.ventanaresearch.com.

Media: Copies of benchmark research report and interviews are available upon request.

Media Contact: Marisela Reynoso  

(925) 242-2579 marketing@ventanaresearch.com