Research analysts Gartner may not be the first company that comes to mind when you think of cool.
Despite this, it recently released its 2011 Cool Vendors research series, recognising vendors delivering innovative technologies and services.
In what seems to be developing into a patriotic-pride inducing trend, five Australian companies made the grade, including Peoplestreme, Hagrid Solutions, C3 Business Solutions, Totally Optimized Projects, and Virtual Ark.
According to Gartner, these cool small businesses have the potential to alter competitive dynamics in key industries.
Peoplestreme
Peoplestreme, a performance management software company, features in Gartner’s Cool Vendors in Human Capital Management, 2011 report. The outfit’s software helps align high level performance objectives with strategic themes and key performance indicators, and is available globally.
Hagrid Solutions
Hagrid Solutions specialises in delivering the Xtraction dashboard and reporting tool, along with best practice IT Service Management. It found a home in Gartner’s Cool Vendors in IT Operations Management, 2011 report.
C3 Business Solutions
C3 Business Solutions delivers business intelligence and information management solutions to top tier Australian corporations and government agencies. It’s included in Gartner’s Cool Vendors in Data Management and Integration, 2011 report.
Totally Optimized Projects (TOP)
Totally Optimized Projects (TOP) features in Gartner’s Cool Vendors in Program and Portfolio Management, 2011 report. The company provides a step-by-step approach to successfully delivering totally optimised projects.
Virtual Ark
Rounding out the Aussie five, Virtual Ark is an international application managed services company, facilitating independent software vendors’ and enterprise customers’ transition to a global cloud-delivery business model. It has pride of place in Gartner’s Cool Vendors in Infrastructure Services, 2011 report.
What makes a Gartner company cool?
Gartner managing vice president, Daryl Plummer (top right), said: “Coolness in 2011 often involves delivering and consuming services, resulting in stronger business outcomes.”
“The increased focus on service delivery and consumption is part of a consumer-driven desire for technology to take a back seat in favour of good services that drive business results.”
“This behaviour is a continuation of trends we outlined in the 2010 Cool Vendors reports — namely a focus on enabling people to deliver better business results through consumption of both services and technology.”
Gartner analysts highlighted technologies that enhance interaction as a biggy for 2011. These include: touchscreen interfaces, social software and context-aware computing, process intelligence, and social business process management.
Gartner research vice president, Michele Cantara, said these technologies are being utilised by cool companies to empower businesses.
“They also make collaboration more transparent and help businesses learn from, or make sense of interactions within their enterprise, with their partners and suppliers, as well as with consumers.”
“As a result, businesses can more readily act on those insights.”
