So, Gartner dropped their 2020 Magic Quadrant for IT Service Management Tools report, and it’s a lot to take in. Basically, they look at all the companies that make software to help businesses manage their IT risks and put them on a chart. It’s supposed to show who’s doing a good job and who has a solid plan for the future. We’ve gone through it to pull out the main points so you don’t have to wade through all the details yourself. It’s a big deal for anyone trying to figure out the best tools out there.
Key Takeaways
- The 2020 Gartner Magic Quadrant for IT Service Management Tools report groups vendors into four categories: Leaders, Challengers, Visionaries, and Niche Players, based on their ability to execute and completeness of vision.
- ServiceNow, Galvanize, RSA, and NAVEX Global were highlighted as Leaders in the 2020 report, with specific strengths noted for each.
- IBM, MetricStream, Allgress, and SureCloud were identified in the Visionaries and Challengers quadrants, showing different market positions and strategic focuses.
- Niche Players like OneTrust, Riskonnect, Resolver, and TechDemocracy were recognized for specific capabilities or market focus within the IT Risk Management space.
- The report noted shifts in vendor positions compared to previous years, with some moving into new quadrants, indicating a dynamic market for IT Service Management tools.
Understanding the 2020 Gartner Magic Quadrant for IT Service Management Tools Landscape
Alright, let’s break down what the 2020 Gartner Magic Quadrant for IT Service Management (ITSM) tools is all about. Think of it as a big report card that Gartner puts out every year, looking at all the companies making software to help businesses manage their IT stuff. They try to figure out who’s doing a good job and who’s got big plans for the future.
Gartner’s Methodology and Quadrant Definitions
Gartner doesn’t just pull names out of a hat. They have a whole process for this. They look at two main things for each company: how well they can actually do what they promise (that’s the ‘Ability to Execute’ axis) and how much they’re thinking ahead with new ideas and strategies (that’s the ‘Completeness of Vision’ axis). Based on where companies land on these two scales, they get sorted into one of four groups:
- Leaders: These are the companies that are really good at what they do now and have a solid plan for where they’re going.
- Challengers: They’re strong performers today, but maybe their future plans aren’t as clear or ambitious as the Leaders.
- Visionaries: These guys have big ideas and are looking ahead, but they might not be executing as strongly in the present.
- Niche Players: They focus on a specific part of the market or do a few things really well, but they aren’t necessarily leaders across the board.
Key Changes and Vendor Inclusions in the 2020 Report
So, what was new in 2020? Well, Gartner added a few more companies to the mix this year, bringing the total to 15 vendors. This made the whole landscape feel a bit more crowded. Interestingly, the Visionaries quadrant ended up being empty this time around, which is a pretty big shift from the year before when there were a few companies there. It seems like many vendors either stepped up their game to become Challengers or Leaders, or perhaps their vision wasn’t as forward-thinking as Gartner expected.
Overall Vendor Clustering and Quadrant Dynamics
Looking at the whole picture, the vendors in the 2020 report seemed to be clustered more tightly together than in previous years. A lot of them were hanging out right around the line that separates the Challengers from the Leaders. This suggests a pretty competitive market where companies are really pushing each other to improve. We saw some interesting movements, with some vendors jumping up into the Leaders quadrant and others shifting around within the Challengers. It’s always fascinating to see who’s making progress and who’s maybe falling a bit behind.
Leaders in the 2020 Gartner Magic Quadrant for IT Service Management Tools
Alright, let’s talk about the big players in the IT Service Management (ITSM) tool world for 2020, according to Gartner. These are the companies Gartner sees as really nailing it, both in terms of what they offer now and where they’re headed.
ServiceNow’s Position and Strengths
ServiceNow is a name you hear a lot, and for good reason. They landed squarely in the Leaders quadrant. What’s their secret sauce? Gartner points to their solid product functionality, how well the tools perform, and a clear roadmap for the future. They really seem to have a handle on what IT teams need. It’s not just about having a lot of features; it’s about those features working well and fitting into a bigger plan. They’ve been making moves, and it looks like it’s paying off.
Galvanize’s Advancements and Capabilities
Galvanize also made a strong showing in the Leaders section. They’ve been steadily improving, moving up and to the right on the chart. Gartner highlighted their analytics and reporting tools as a major plus. Being able to make sense of all the data you’re collecting is super important, and Galvanize seems to be doing a good job there. Plus, they’ve got that FedRAMP Authorization, which is a big deal for government work. It shows they meet some pretty strict security standards.
RSA’s Market Standing and Delivery Model
RSA is another company that Gartner places in the Leaders quadrant. While they moved down a bit on the chart compared to some others, they’re still considered a top contender. One interesting point Gartner made is about RSA’s delivery model, specifically mentioning their on-premise options. This might appeal to organizations that prefer to keep their data in-house for security or control reasons. It’s good to see different approaches being recognized.
NAVEX Global’s Acquisition and Implementation Focus
NAVEX Global is also in the Leaders group, and their story in 2020 is partly about their acquisition of LockPath. Gartner noted that NAVEX Global, using LockPath’s platform, really stands out when it comes to implementation services. Getting a new system up and running smoothly can be a real headache, so having a vendor that helps with that process is a big win. They’ve been working their way up, showing they’re a serious player in the IT risk management space. You can find more about how companies compare different software options on Gartner’s platform.
Visionaries and Challengers in the 2020 Gartner Magic Quadrant for IT Service Management Tools
IBM’s Strategic Direction and Portfolio
IBM showed up in the Visionaries quadrant this year. Gartner pointed out that their product strategy and the range of services they offer are pretty solid. It seems like they’re focusing on where the market is headed, even if their execution isn’t quite at the ‘Leader’ level yet. They’ve got a good mix of tools and services that could be really useful for companies looking to get ahead of the curve in IT risk management.
MetricStream’s Cybersecurity Risk Management
MetricStream also made a move, landing in the Leaders quadrant this time around. What really stood out for them was their focus on cybersecurity risk management. They’re apparently working on ways to put a number on cyber risks, which is a big deal. Being able to quantify those risks helps businesses make smarter decisions about where to put their resources. It’s not just about identifying risks anymore; it’s about understanding their financial impact.
Allgress’s Compliance Capabilities
Allgress found its place in the Challengers section. Researchers were impressed with how good they are at handling compliance requirements. This is a big deal for a lot of companies that have to deal with a lot of different regulations. Allgress seems to have a strong handle on making sure businesses meet those obligations. They’ve been moving more towards the ‘Leader’ side of the chart, which suggests they’re doing something right.
SureCloud’s Risk Assessment Approaches
SureCloud is another one in the Challengers quadrant. They got noticed for the different ways they approach risk assessments. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation with them. They seem to offer a variety of methods to figure out what could go wrong and how bad it might be. This flexibility is probably why they’re gaining traction. Like Allgress, they’re also inching closer to the Leaders section, showing progress in their ability to execute.
Niche Players in the 2020 Gartner Magic Quadrant for IT Service Management Tools
OneTrust’s Market Leadership and Growth
OneTrust really made a splash in the 2020 report, showing up for the first time and landing squarely in the Niche Players quadrant. They’ve been growing like crazy, even getting recognized as the fastest-growing company in America by Inc. 500. That’s some serious momentum. They’ve also pulled in a ton of investment, which probably helps them keep expanding their services. Gartner pointed out their extensive information mapping as a key strength. Basically, they’re good at keeping track of all the different pieces of information related to risk across a company. With over 6,000 customers now, many of them big Fortune 500 companies, it’s clear they’re doing something right.
Riskonnect’s Predictive Modeling Strengths
Riskonnect also made its debut in the 2020 Magic Quadrant, finding its place among the Niche Players. Gartner highlighted their strong capabilities in predictive modeling. This means they’re not just looking at what’s happening now, but trying to figure out what might happen in the future when it comes to IT risks. This forward-looking approach is pretty important for staying ahead of potential problems. They’re focused on helping businesses anticipate and prepare for risks before they become major issues.
Resolver’s R&D and Prioritization Efforts
Resolver is another vendor that appeared in the Niche Players section. Unlike some of the others here, they were in the report last year, but they’ve shifted over from the Visionaries quadrant. Gartner noted their research and development efforts, particularly how they’re focusing on risks specific to certain industries and categories. This means they’re trying to build tools that are really tailored to the unique challenges different businesses face. Prioritizing these specific risks is a big part of their strategy, helping companies focus their attention where it’s most needed.
TechDemocracy’s Risk Visibility and Dashboarding
TechDemocracy rounds out the Niche Players for 2020. Gartner gave them credit for their ability to provide good risk visibility and executive dashboarding. Think of it like this: they help you see all your IT risks clearly, and then present that information in an easy-to-understand format, often through dashboards. This makes it much simpler for leaders to grasp the overall risk picture and make informed decisions without getting bogged down in technical details. Having clear visibility into risks is a big deal for any organization.
Key Vendor Movements and Strategic Insights from the 2020 Report
So, looking at the 2020 Gartner Magic Quadrant for IT Service Management Tools, a few things really stand out. It feels like the whole landscape got a bit more crowded, with five new vendors showing up this year. This made the vendors cluster a bit closer together, especially around that line between Challengers and Leaders. It’s interesting because the Visionaries quadrant ended up empty this time around, which is a big change from last year.
Notable Shifts Between Quadrants
We saw some significant moves. ServiceNow, for instance, jumped into the Leaders quadrant from the Challengers. RSA also shifted, moving down but also to the right, off that Challenger/Leader dividing line. IBM took a step back and to the left, getting closer to where the Visionaries used to be. Galvanize nudged up and right, also moving away from the Challenger zone. MetricStream climbed up from the Visionaries, moving a bit to the right too. And NAVEX Global, after buying LockPath, also rose from the Visionaries but veered a bit more left, nearer to the Challengers.
Vendor Strengths and Differentiators
Each vendor has its own thing going for it, right? Gartner pointed out that TechDemocracy is good at showing risk visibility and has nice executive dashboards. Riskonnect got a nod for its predictive modeling. Resolver is doing interesting work on R&D, focusing on industry-specific risks and how to prioritize them. OneTrust, meanwhile, is strong in mapping out information. On the Challenger side, Allgress impressed with its compliance features, and SureCloud got points for its varied ways of assessing risk. SAI Global is recognized for tracking risks, controls, and compliance, plus continuous monitoring. Reciprocity stood out for things like data isolation and file management. RSA was noted for its on-premise options, while Galvanize got praise for analytics, reporting, and FedRAMP Authorization. IBM’s product strategy and overall portfolio were highlighted. MetricStream is doing well with cybersecurity risk management, and they’re planning to get better at quantifying cyber risks. Finally, ServiceNow made it to Leaders because of its product features, how well it performs, and its future plans.
Future Trends in IT Risk Management
Looking ahead, Gartner predicts that by 2025, about half of all medium to large businesses will use risk management to pull together their digital risks. They also think risk management will start looking at and combining data from social media and IoT devices. This means tools will need to be more adaptable and able to handle a wider range of data sources to keep up with how risks are changing.
Wrapping It Up
So, that’s a look at the 2020 Gartner Magic Quadrant for IT Service Management Tools. It’s clear the market is pretty crowded, with a lot of vendors making moves. Some big names are holding strong in the Leaders section, while others are pushing up from the Challenger and Visionary spots. It’s interesting to see how these companies are changing their positions year over year, showing how fast things are evolving in IT service management. For businesses looking for the right tool, this report gives a good snapshot of who’s doing what, but remember to check out what fits your specific needs best. The landscape keeps shifting, so staying informed is key.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gartner Magic Quadrant for IT Risk Management?
Think of the Gartner Magic Quadrant as a map that shows where different companies stand in a particular market. For IT Risk Management, it plots companies based on how well they can carry out their plans (ability to execute) and how well they understand what’s coming in the future (completeness of vision). Companies are placed into four groups: Leaders, Challengers, Visionaries, and Niche Players.
Who were the ‘Leaders’ in the 2020 report?
In 2020, the companies considered ‘Leaders’ in IT Risk Management were ServiceNow, Galvanize, RSA, NAVEX Global, IBM, and MetricStream. These companies were seen as strong in both executing their current strategies and having a clear vision for the future of IT risk management.
What does it mean if a company is a ‘Niche Player’?
A ‘Niche Player’ is a company that focuses on a specific part of the market or has a unique approach. In the 2020 report, companies like TechDemocracy, Riskonnect, Resolver, and OneTrust were in this group. They might be great at certain things but don’t cover the whole IT risk management picture as broadly as the Leaders.
Did any companies move between groups in the 2020 report?
Yes, there were some interesting moves! ServiceNow moved up into the Leaders group. IBM moved closer to the Visionaries group. MetricStream and NAVEX Global also moved up, showing they are becoming stronger players. It shows the market is always changing.
What are some key trends Gartner mentioned for the future?
Gartner predicted that by 2025, many businesses will use risk management to keep track of digital risks. They also expect risk management tools to start watching and gathering information from social media and devices like smart home gadgets (IoT).
How does Gartner decide where to place companies?
Gartner looks at many things, like how well a company’s products work, their plans for the future, how they sell and support their products, and what customers think. They use all this information to place companies on their ‘Magic Quadrant’ map.
