New Gartner TVO Software Tool Is the Standard for Measuring the Business Value of IT Investments

STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 1, 2002 -- Gartner, Inc. has announced a new software tool that measures the Total Value of Opportunity (TVO) for IT projects for businesses.

The software is based on the Gartner Business Performance Framework(TM) developed in conjunction with leading IT solution providers, business users and academics who are members of the Gartner TVO Advisory Board.

"The Gartner TVO methodology, implemented in this new software tool, meets the challenge of measuring the business value of IT investments," said Audrey Apfel, Gartner vice president and research fellow. "Each enterprise that engages the TVO tool matches its key business metrics to the capabilities of the IT project under consideration. Technology budgets are tight so business units and financial teams want to see the total value of opportunity for each IT investment."

The TVO software tool also leads enterprises through a comprehensive diagnostic that evaluates the strategic alignment, business process impact and risk assessment of particular IT initiatives. The TVO Final Report delivers the projected financial benefits of the IT project and assesses an enterprise's ability to actually realize the projected benefits of a specific IT initiative.

Several members of the TVO Advisory Board are using this revolutionary framework and software tool to demonstrate the value of their technology solutions for particular customers. Enterprises can use TVO to measure virtually any IT project under consideration.

"Business units and financial officers are demanding close scrutiny of all investments," continued Apfel. "TVO is a strategic precursor to making wise and impactful IT investments."

Leading corporations representing technology solutions and business users advise the Gartner TVO project team through two levels of participation: general sponsorship and TVO Advisory Board membership. The general sponsors on this project include Captaris, Crystal Decisions, Kintana and SAP. The TVO Board is comprised of Black and Decker, Cognos, Hyperion Solutions, Intel, JP Morgan Chase, Microsoft, NewRoads and The Cranfield School of Management.

To find out more about TVO and the Gartner Business Performance Framework(TM), visit tvo.gartner.com or call Dan Murphy at +1 203 316 3604.

About Gartner

Gartner, Inc. is a research and advisory firm that helps more than 10,500 clients leverage technology to achieve business success. Gartner's businesses consist of Research, Consulting, Measurement, Events and Executive Programs. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut and has 4,000 associates, including more than 1,000 research analysts and consultants, in more than 75 locations worldwide. Fiscal 2002 revenue totaled $907 million. For more information, visit www.gartner.com.

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             CONTACT: Gartner
                      Allison Haines, 203/316-6216
                      allison.haines@gartner.com