IDC MarketScape Provides First Definitive Assessment of Worldwide Software Appliance Vendors

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(Business Wire)--
IDC today announced the publication of a new IDC MarketScape report that
profiles and ranks the leading technology vendors in the emerging worldwide
software appliance market. IDC MarketScape vendor analysis reports utilize a
rigorous scoring methodology that produces a definitive assessment of each
vendor's current market capabilities for competing in the future.

The report, IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Software Appliance 2009 Vendor Analysis
(IDC #217473), evaluates the offerings of nine software appliance vendors
(Canonical, IBM, JumpBox, Microsoft, Novell, Red Hat, rPath, Sun Microsystems,
VMware), focusing on current capabilities and menu of services and their
alignment to customer needs. It also assesses each vendor's future strategy and
how it aligns with customer requirements in the next three to five years. The
results were used to create a unique, graphical representation of the market
based on each vendor's current capabilities and future strategies.

The analysis reveals that the leading vendors in the software appliance market
were also the first entrants. The market is still emerging and many of the
vendors have yet to fully release all of their products and/or services. This
means that there is great potential for shake-up as the industry progresses. It
will be important for companies to focus on innovation and execution to succeed
in the next few years. Not only the ability, but also the willingness to adapt
to a disruptive market is what will separate the leaders from the rest of the
pack in the next few years.

"Software appliances change the way applications are produced and consumed,
disrupting traditional channels and services much in the same way software as a
service has," said Brett Waldman, research analyst in IDC`s System
Infrastructure research group. "ISVs should partner with one of the software
appliance enablers, which can bring the ISV through the development to the sales
and marketing to the maintenance of software appliances through their
differentiated technology, services, and/or channel partners."

About IDC MarketScape

IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the
competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers
in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring
methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in
a single graphical illustration of each vendor`s position within a given market.
IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service
offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success
factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The
framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the
strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.

For more information about IDC MarketScape, please contact Karen Moser at
kmoser@idc.com.

About IDC

IDC is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services,
and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer
technology markets. IDC helps IT professionals, business executives, and the
investment community make fact-based decisions on technology purchases and
business strategy. More than 1,000 IDC analysts provide global, regional, and
local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110
countries. For more than 45 years, IDC has provided strategic insights to help
our clients achieve their key business objectives. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG,
the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. You can
learn more about IDC by visiting www.idc.com/.

All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective holders.

IDC
Brett Waldman, 508-988-6748
bwaldman@idc.com
or
Michael Shirer, 508-935-4200
press@idc.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009