Methodology For IT executives, strategic planners, product marketing managers, and investors, Gartner Dataquest's worldwide IT market share, size and forecast databases are an indispensable source of information. The underlying strength of Gartner Dataquest information lies with the intricate combination of research techniques and data analysis. Fueled by a worldwide data collection process and integrated database, Gartner Dataquest provides the most-comprehensive data and analysis of the IT marketplace available anywhere. Gartner Dataquest's methodology includes: Data Collection Process Gartner Dataquest collects and blends research data from the demand and supply side of product markets to cross-check and validate the data. This ensures more-reliable forecasts based on data collected from primary sources and cross-checked against statistically significant data on products currently installed and user purchase intentions. Information Sources Gartner Dataquest views primary and secondary research as critical, yet complementary, components of its data gathering process. The combination of these two research approaches yields a rich pool of data that can be used to answer specific questions, produce market statistics, and analyze and forecast industry trends. Centralized Worldwide Database The Gartner Dataquest centralized worldwide database contains information gathered from internal and external sources on a regional and worldwide basis. Centralizing the data provides a consistent and consolidated environment. In addition, we incorporate the historical data, technology trends and analysis, information on emerging markets, and tie the ratios against the related Gartner Dataquest databases. Market Share Gartner Dataquest's research incorporates both market sizing and market share analysis. Using our proprietary market sizing bibliography as a foundation, researchers estimate the approximate size of each company and the global product market. Market Forecasts Gartner Dataquest's market forecasts have been an indispensable tool for IT business planners for more than a quarter century. The market forecasts clarify expectations about the future of technologies and help executives reduce business risk by creating business plans and strategies based on fact, not conjecture. Gartner Dataquest forecasts global and regional IT markets extending five-years into the future. Market Trend Analysis Gartner Dataquest Market Trends analysis reports are the culmination of extensive data collection, vendor and user-based research, supply and demand-side analysis, focused and industry-specific research, coordinated trend analysis, and thorough market forecasts. Providing more than just data, incisive analysis completes the breadth of value we provide to our worldwide client base.