Gartner Makes Its Predictions for Master Data Management in 2011

by Katherine VasilegaDecember 17, 2010

While the software-as-a-service model evolves, businesses still working on aligning with IT departments to generate proper ROI.

(Featured image credit)

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MDM and SaaS continue to grow

The year of 2010 is approaching its ending, and more and more predictions for 2011 are coming out to the public. It’s time to see what we have accomplished and what we are heading for in the area of data integration. Good news is that Gartner published a report “Predicts 2011: Master Data Management Is Important in a Tough Economy, and More Important in Growth.” Let’s see what kind of MDM predictions for 2011 analyzed by Gartner experts it includes.

In a recent interview, Gartner’s Research VP John Radcliffe reveals some of the findings from the report.

1. From 2009 through 2014, MDM software markets will grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 18%, from $1.3 billion to $2.9 billion.

John Radcliffe

Data integration and MDM is a fast-growing software market. The growth provides a major business opportunity for software vendors that specialize in these areas. The rapid growth of the market means that skilled MDM resources are in great demand among software and service providers. As a result, end-user organizations will struggle to adequately resource their MDM programs.

2. By 2015, 10% of packaged data management implementations will be delivered as software as a service in the public cloud.

Data integration software vendors will seek to leverage cloud computing. Once organizations gain more experience with the public and private clouds, the early adopters will seek to gain the same benefits with a wider range of software, including packaged MDM solutions.

3. Through 2015, 66% of organizations that initiate an MDM program will struggle to demonstrate the business value of it.

When IT departments initiate data integration projects, they often struggle to get the business on board and to demonstrate the business value of these projects. MDM needs to be guided by the business strategy, and will require strong involvement of business stakeholders and managers.

Image credit: Gartner

Today, it is not enough to throw technology at the problem of inconsistent master data. Getting the proper governance, establishing the right data stewardship roles and responsibilities will be vital to the success of data integration initiatives. Meanwhile, I will watch for more predictions to appear and will try to suggest the most useful pieces of data for your consideration and review.