IT research firms merge to counter US-centric competition

Stuart Corner
Monday, 08 March 2010 15:42

IT Industry - Deals

IT market research company, Springboard Research, has acquired Australian IT industry analyst firm Hydrasight saying the move signals the inevitable merging of independent IT industry research firms in the face of increasing market consolidation driven primarily by North American-centric analyst firms.

According to Springboard, "Enterprise technology consumers have previously had to accept global IT research or utilise niche analysts from a variety of local or specialist firms.

"This acquisition will provide a significant Asia-Pacific based and focused alternative for the provision of IT industry research services relevant to geography, industries and organisations of various sizes with specific technology environments."

Springboard says the acquisition will expand its coverage areas in the Asia Pacific region and provide services specifically targeted at enterprise-class consumers of technology. Hydrasight's research director, John Brand, will "drive a new end-user focused capability for Springboard that will draw upon both company's strengths."

Dane Anderson, CEO and EVP of Research for Springboard, said: "The acquisition of Hydrasight enables us to deliver new research services tailored to the unique end user needs of commercial enterprises and public sector organisations in the Asia Pacific region."

According to Brand, "The way organisations generate and consume information about IT trends and technologies has changed considerably over the last decade. No longer are the trends being dictated by industry analyst 'thought-leaders'. Now, they're being driven by the consumers of technology themselves."

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