Bersin & Associates Research Shows Market Potential for Talent Management Suites...

Bersin & Associates Research Shows Market Potential for Talent Management Suites to be Significant and Still Untapped

Analysts Estimate $2B Market with 20% Annual Growth for Strategic
Talent Functions; Strong Buying Interest But Market Leadership Yet
Unclaimed
OAKLAND, Calif.--(Business Wire)--Bersin & Associates, the only research and advisory firm solely
focused on What Works(R) in enterprise learning and talent management,
today released its latest research study, Integrated Talent Management
Suites: Market Realities, Implementation Experiences, and Vendor
Profiles.

The Bersin & Associates study is the first to examine this market,
estimated to be at $2.3 Billion in 2008, which encompasses strategic
HR functions such as recruiting, learning management, compensation,
performance management, and succession planning.

"This is a highly important, yet still emerging market," said Josh
Bersin, president. "It is very reminiscent of the early ERP market,
which essentially transformed corporate technology infrastructure.
Facing significant talent challenges, which could potentially be
exacerbated by economic pressures, organizations are eager to leverage
technology to integrate all facets of talent management. However, few
organizations have succeeded in tying together disparate HR systems to
implement a complete solution."

"On the other hand, vendor entries into this market have
practically quadrupled. In just the last year, dozens of technology
companies, from small software vendors to large ERP and payroll
providers, have recognized the market opportunity. Yet, as of today,
no single vendor offers a complete solution or has captured a
leadership position."

The Bersin & Associates research study details 20 vendors, all of
which provided customer references and detailed product
demonstrations. In addition to profiles of all vendors, the study
includes capability charts for all functions; a MarketMap based on
target markets and market presence; and a new Vendor Snapshot
Analysis, which provides an at-a-glance comparison of vendor strengths
and overall ratings based on customer satisfaction, architecture,
product strength, and vision.

Vendors with highest ratings include CornerstoneOnDemand,
StepStone, and SuccessFactors. Other important vendors include:
Authoria, Halogen Software, HRsmart, Kenexa, Lawson, Learn.com,
Oracle, PeopleSoft, Plateau, Saba, SAP, Softscape, SumTotal,
Technomedia, TEDS, Vurv, and Workstream.

The study, targeted to corporate, HR, and learning executives with
responsibility for talent management strategy, includes detailed
information on developing integrated talent management strategies,
purchasing considerations, implementation priorities and guidelines,
and the experiences of early adopters. The study also offers insight
on market direction, including next-generation offerings with
user-generated profiles and the software-as-a-service (SaaS) model,
which is showing widespread acceptance and has helped fuel the growth
of several vendors.

"Despite what vendors claim, implementing an integrated talent
management technology strategy is not easy. In fact, it's highly
complex," said Leighanne Levensaler, principal analyst and the study's
primary author. "The study's primary goal is to help potential
purchasers make sense of the market, determine how to prioritize, and
understand the key criteria for an integrated solution. The potential
business value of successful strategies is significant, but wrong
decisions can be very costly."

Integrated Talent Management Suites: Market Realities,
Implementation Experiences, and Vendor Profiles is based on detailed
surveys from 700 organizations, detailed interviews with 50 HR
executives, and comprehensive briefings with 20 vendors. The study is
available at no extra cost to all Bersin & Associates research
members. Non-members can purchase the study for $1,795.

For more information on the study, as well an executive summary
and recorded market overview, go to www.bersin.com/tmsuites. To
register for the webinar, "The Scoop on Talent Management Suites,"
scheduled for Thursday, January 17, at 2:00 p.m. EST, go to
http://events.interwise.com/?p=501082&t=7&s+bersin. The study will
also be discussed in detail at Bersin & Associates upcoming
conference, IMPACT: 2008: The Business of Talent, scheduled for April
22-24 in St. Petersburg. In addition to a research presentation, the
conference program will include a panel of vendor executives who will
discuss the technology and market challenges, implementation
considerations, and product directions. Visit www.bersin.com/impact
for details.

About Bersin & Associates

Bersin & Associates is the only research and advisory services
firm focused solely on research in enterprise learning and talent
management. Bersin & Associates' WhatWorks(R) research and
research-based services are designed to deliver actionable direction
and to help improve operational effectiveness and business impact.

Bersin & Associates research members gain access to a
comprehensive library of best practices, case studies, benchmarks, and
in-depth market analyses designed to guide professionals in making
fast and confident decisions. Research areas include planning and
strategy, learning programs and delivery, talent management,
technology and infrastructure, and measurement and analytics. Member
benefits include in-depth advisory services, access to proprietary
webcasts, on-site analyst visits, and strategic workshops.

Bersin & Associates is the host of the first research conference
on enterprise learning and talent management, IMPACT 2008: The
Business of Talent, scheduled for April 22-24 in St Petersburg,
Florida (www.bersin.com/impact).

For more information on Bersin & Associates, please visit
www.bersin.com or call 561 455 0622.

Bersin & Associates
Linda Galloway, 203-790-1591
linda.galloway@bersin.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008