IT Leaders Must Consider Alternative Delivery Models

Nov. 12, 2007

A new research report examines 14 alternative service delivery models.

Gartner Inc., the Stamford, Conn.-based research firm, has identified 14 alternative delivery models that it says will completely transform the information technology (IT) market in the next five years. IT leaders must examine these new models, or business units may implement them on their own, Gartner analysts warn in a recently released report, “Alternative Delivery Models: A Sea of New Opportunities and Threats.” These models offer nontraditional ways to acquire, package and deliver IT. Traditionally, the IT department develops or acquires technology, then deploys, supports and retires it. New platforms with Web-based delivery, such as software as a service (SaaS), or other IT utility services will offer viable alternatives, Gartner believes. This is the first list of models that Gartner considers to be alternative in nature. The list will be modified as markets, technologies, processes and customers change, the company says. Gartner analysts note that more aggressive customers may have already be using a given model for an extended period of time, and may consequently view that model as traditional. For the most part, these “outliers of adoption” are not mainstream, thereby warranting inclusion on the list, Gartner says. The 14 alternative delivery models include: business process utilities (BPUs); infrastructure utilities (IUs); storage as a service; grid computing; communications as a service (CaaS); utility computing; capacity on demand; remote management services; SaaS; Web platforms; community source; software streaming; software-based “appliances” (SBAs); and user-owned devices.Gartner Inc.www.gartner.com