Major IT Users Expect To Save $30 Billion While Spending $40 Billion; "Is This Any Way to Run a Business?" asks Standish International's Jim Johnson

In a just-released TRENDS IN OPTIMIZATION REPORT from Standish Group, large IT user organizations are planning to spend $40 billion on optimization tools, skills, technology and services. Yet only $30 billion is savings is anticipated.

"The track record for the last three years for optimization products is dismal," Mr. Johnson continued. "Optimization has joined 'enterprise' as another overused IT buzzword. However, that does not mean optimization has no value -- but it does need a closer look and careful consideration."

The Standish definition of "optimization" is a complete approach that, when fully implemented, covers systems, people, process, applications and data - in other words, the whole IT organization. The goal is to provide the best value for the highest level of service and function. IT optimization comprises procedures to make systems, applications, processes and people as effective and functional as possible, at the best possible value, with the least possible risk.

The Standish Group's TRENDS IN OPTIMIZATION REPORT identifies 10 optimization drivers. They are value, data center consolidation, services consolidation, readiness and mitigating downtime costs, virtualization, security, "going green", projects, staff, and service level/performance assessment.

The Standish Group's "Trends in Optimization" report is available free of charge to Standish Group subscribers. Non-subscribers may obtain copies directly from The Standish Group at: http://www.standishgroup.com/market_research/index.php for $1,000 per copy.