Situation: As the business environment becomes more complex, it is increasingly difficult to determine the overall value of an integrated software platform. IT organizations can no longer rely on simple comparisons of features, functions, and initial acquisition costs. Instead, they must take a holistic approach to determining platform value.

Solution: With Platform Vision, companies can make better decisions about their IT investments. The Platform Vision approach uses an evaluation framework that IT Pros can follow to make a structured, multi-dimensional comparison between products. This comparison helps to determine a platform’s technical impact and return on investment (ROI). Platform Vision is built on a layered architecture model, with each layer representing a major functional area in an enterprise IT architecture. The layers include User Experience, Search, Integrated Communications, ECM and Collaboration, BI, Web and Social Computing, SOA and BPM, Data, Infrastructure, and the IT Process.

Result: Platform Vision gives IT decision makers a 360-degree perspective on their IT investments and platform planning strategies. How do we know it’s working? The Platform Vision online community has grown to more than 80,000 unique visitors a month.