Segmentation in the software deployment market

Jan 29, 2001
Gartner

R. Colville

Although managing desktops includes many disciplines, the predominant focus of most enterprises has been on SD (software deployment), which is a significant subset of the desktop management market.

Previously, this market was defined by the integration of remote control, SD, and inventory. Inventory remains a pivotal component to software configuration and to the success of SD (which is why all vendors in this segment have built-in inventory capability or partner with complementary solution providers). What remains evident is that remote control has high return on investment and is still with a help desk or service desk for best return on value. For many enterprises, the suite approach (SD, inventory, and remote control) is still desirable but not a deal breaker.

Desktop management functions

Today, however, desktop management includes the life cycle of installing, updating, healing, and retiring operating systems and applications. While SD is the most significant contributor to cost reduction of managing desktops, it is difficult to define the market specific to SD. Therefore, SD solutions will continue to surround themselves with complementary functions (e.g., inventory, imaging, and mobile management). As SD continues to be the foundation for preparing for Windows 2000, it can also be leveraged in reaching out to e-business requirements.

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Market segmentation
SD tools for managing the configuration of desktops continue to have three segments.

Suites have integrated SD, inventory, and remote control and focus on providing out-of-the-box, one-stop-shopping solutions for SMEs. While their architectures have matured to include scalable back-end schemas to tens of thousands of desktops for large enterprises, they are still lacking robust capability for heterogeneous platforms. Enterprise SD capability includes:

Scalability (hierarchical distribution).
Checkpoint restart (between servers and between servers and desktops).
Rollback (between servers and between servers and desktops).
Differencing (differential delivery at a byte level vs. file or application level).
Server-to-server synchronization, distribution, and two-phase commit.

Point solution vendors focus on delivering robust tools with unique differentiators (e.g., preboot OS or continuous configuration of applications). Many of these tools address scalability, but others are still maturing their technology.
The third category is framework solution providers, such as Computer Associates International, Tivoli Systems, and Hewlett-Packard. These vendors sell a broad set of solutions focused on network and systems management—with SD being one of many modules. Although the framework solutions have proven scalability, they are typically complex to implement and require significant staffing resources.

Still, for many enterprises, the price of these solutions is the major differentiator. Suite tools cost $20 to $50 per desktop, while point solutions vary greatly—$50 to $150 per desktop. Framework tools are priced five to 15 times more than the suite solutions. With the segmentation blurring due to the competitive nature of the market, however, framework vendors are beginning to price more aggressively.

Hewlett-Packard's exit from SD and reentry

On July 5, 2000, Hewlett-Packard announced a relationship of equity and technology with Novadigm, retiring Desktop Administrator and announcing a partnership of reselling and support with Novadigm.

Technical differentiation—directory-based distribution
As plans to deploy Windows 2000 come closer to realization, the promise of directory services, such as ADS, becomes critical to software configuration of desktops. Most SD vendors can mark the check box on a request for proposal for ADS support or even deployment to Windows 2000 desktops, but few can demonstrate these capabilities.

While ADS is lurking around the corner, Novell Directory Service has been used by many enterprises to manage resources for software configuration of desktops with Novell's ZENworks. Other tools (Novadigm's EDM and RADIA) provide similar configuration capability by using profile information. The primary benefit of directory-based deployment is that when users roam, their identities (what resources they have rights to use) and resources move from machine to machine with them. An application is associated with a user, not a machine.

Intranet, Internet, and extranet SD
E-business demands have made the focus on SD critical. While SD inside an enterprise (intranet) continues to ail IS organizations, lack of success internally does not diminish the business needs of SD beyond the firewall between business relationships (B2B) and between (potential) consumers (B2C).

Beyond the firewall, what is being delivered includes more than just applications. E-distribution includes deploying and managing digital assets, which may include but are not limited to applications, content, and data. Many enterprises start with requirements in one area (Internet, extranet, or intranet) and after they succeed, they try to apply the technology to the others in hopes of a one-vendor solution.

Acronym key

ADS—Active Directory Services
B2B—Business-to-business
B2C—Business-to-consumer
OS—Operating system
SD—Software deployment
SME—Small and midsize enterprise

Bottom line
Suite and framework vendors will continue to be market-share leaders, but they will offer solutions that rarely provide best-of-breed capability. While point solution vendors offer unique functionality, they may not be able to gain market share.

Enterprises should select tools that meet their technical requirements for today as well as for tomorrow (e.g., Windows 2000 and ADS). Enterprises that can take advantage of technical superiority should consider point solutions (increased staffing and process maturity).

Today, there are big expectations for SD vendors to fulfill all the technical requirements for SD (intranet, Internet, and extranet). Enterprises will need to piece multiple solutions together or take on customization requirements.

Gartner originally published this report on Sept. 19, 2000.

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