Buyers Guide

Cloud Platforms 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Jeff Orr on 30 September 2025

Executive Summary Cloud Platforms Cloud Platform software stands at the forefront of complex digital transformations in enterprise. Each cloud model presents unique benefits and challenges, enabling enterprises to tailor their IT strategies to align with specific business needs. This Buyers Guide explores the nuances of each cloud model, highlighting the essential functionality and trends that... Read More

Topics: Information Technology, Cloud Platforms, Cloud Infrastructure

Hybrid Cloud Platforms 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Jeff Orr on 30 September 2025

Executive Summary Hybrid Cloud Platforms Hybrid Cloud is rapidly becoming the preferred strategy for enterprises seeking to optimize their IT infrastructure by blending the strengths of both Public and Private Cloud models. This versatile approach enables enterprises to harness the scalability of Public Cloud while maintaining the security and control of Private Cloud for sensitive workloads. By... Read More

Topics: Information Technology, Cloud Platforms, Hybrid Cloud Platforms, Cloud Infrastructure

Private Cloud Platforms 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Jeff Orr on 30 September 2025

Executive Summary Private Cloud Platforms Private Cloud platforms represent an approach tailored to meet stringent regulatory demands while prioritizing security and compliance. The advent of public cloud infrastructure introduced new concepts, including elasticity and isolated virtual private clouds (VPCs) that are also valuable in dedicated environments. Offering exclusive control over data and... Read More

Topics: Information Technology, Cloud Platforms, Private Cloud Platforms, Cloud Infrastructure

Public Cloud Platforms 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Jeff Orr on 30 September 2025

Executive Summary Public Cloud Platforms The Public Cloud has emerged as a necessity for enterprises looking to harness the power of scalable resources while minimizing costs. By leveraging third-party services accessible via the internet, enterprises can focus on innovation rather than infrastructure, facilitating a rapid deployment of applications and services. However, as appealing as the cost... Read More

Topics: Information Technology, Cloud Platforms, Public Cloud Platforms, Cloud Infrastructure

Sovereign Cloud Platforms 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Jeff Orr on 30 September 2025

Executive Summary Sovereign Cloud Platforms Data privacy and local compliance are gaining importance, and the Sovereign Cloud stands out as a tailor-made solution for enterprises navigating complex regulatory landscapes. By ensuring that sensitive data remains within geographic boundaries and is controlled by trusted providers, Sovereign Cloud models empower enterprises to uphold... Read More

Topics: Information Technology, Cloud Platforms, Sovereign Cloud, Cloud Infrastructure

Learning and Development Suites 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Matthew Brown on 29 September 2025

Executive Summary Learning and Development Suites Learning and Development (L&D) Suites are emerging as the connective tissue of talent enablement, bringing together formal learning, experience-led engagement, skills intelligence and performance into one coherent system that leaders can actually run. Buyers are moving away from fragmented stacks and toward unified platforms that reduce... Read More

Topics: Human Capital Management, Learning Management Systems, Employees & HCM - Business & Technologies, Business & Technologies, Suites, Learning and Development

Learning Management Systems 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Matthew Brown on 29 September 2025

Executive Summary Learning Management Systems Learning Management Systems (LMS) are moving from compliance workhorses to experience‑driven platforms that support readiness, agility and retention. Employees expect consumer‑grade usability and learning that shows up where work happens; executives expect auditable outcomes and observable impact. As the separation between LMS and learning experience... Read More

Topics: Human Capital Management, Business-focused Software and Services, Learning Management Systems, Employees & HCM - Business & Technologies, Learning and Development

Learning Content Platforms 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Matthew Brown on 29 September 2025

Executive Summary Learning Content Platforms Learning Content Platforms (LCPs) have moved beyond the era of “more content equals more value.” Enterprises have realized that abundant libraries do not guarantee impact; learners still struggle to find relevant material, and leaders still question ROI. The market response has been clear: Platforms not only aggregate content but also deliver,... Read More

Topics: Human Capital Management, Learning Management Systems, Employees & HCM - Business & Technologies, Business & Technologies, Learning and Development, Learning Content Platforms

Subscription Platforms 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Mark Smith on 22 September 2025

Executive Summary Subscription Platforms The era of subscriptions has fundamentally reshaped how platforms operate and how users engage with them across industries. Platforms are moving beyond traditional ownership models, embracing digital-first strategies and offering digital services that enhance or complement physical products. Users now expect flexible options—whether through subscriptions,... Read More

Topics: Subscription Management, Employees & HCM - Business & Technologies, Subscription Management Platforms, Business & Technologies

Subscription Management 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Mark Smith on 22 September 2025

Executive Summary Subscription Management The era of subscriptions has fundamentally reshaped how businesses operate and how consumers engage with services across industries. Enterprises are moving beyond traditional ownership models, increasingly embracing digital-first sales strategies and offering digital products that complement physical goods. Customers now expect flexible options, whether... Read More

Topics: Subscription Management, Employees & HCM - Business & Technologies, Business & Technologies

B2B Subscription Management 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Mark Smith on 22 September 2025

Executive Summary B2B Subscription Management The era of subscriptions has fundamentally reshaped how businesses operate and how consumers engage with services across industries. Enterprises are moving beyond traditional ownership models, increasingly embracing digital-first sales strategies and offering digital products that complement physical goods. Customers now expect flexible options,... Read More

Topics: Subscription Management, Employees & HCM - Business & Technologies, B2B, Business & Technologies

B2C Subscription Management 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Mark Smith on 22 September 2025

Executive Summary B2C Subscription Management The era of subscriptions has fundamentally changed how consumers access and interact with products and services. Instead of traditional ownership, people now expect flexible options such as subscriptions, pay-per-use or on-demand access, often in combination with physical goods enhanced by digital experiences. Shoppers increasingly prefer to buy... Read More

Topics: Subscription Management, Employees & HCM - Business & Technologies, B2C, Business & Technologies

Subscription Billing 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Mark Smith on 22 September 2025

Executive Summary Subscription Billing The era of subscriptions has fundamentally reshaped billing, changing how businesses operate and how customers expect to engage with products and services. Companies are moving beyond traditional ownership models, adopting digital-first strategies and offering subscription-based access to digital products alongside physical goods. Customers now demand... Read More

Topics: Subscription Billing, Subscription Management, Employees & HCM - Business & Technologies, Business & Technologies

Master Data Management 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Matt Aslett on 19 September 2025

Executive Summary Master Data Management Despite efforts made by enterprises to be more data-driven, some of the most fundamental questions about an enterprise—such as how many customers it has—remain difficult to answer. Trust in data is foundational for an enterprise to make data-driven business decisions. The problem lies not just in being able to accurately count how many customers the... Read More

Topics: Master Data Management, Data Management, Artificial intelligence, Data Intelligence

Data Intelligence 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Matt Aslett on 19 September 2025

Executive Summary Data Intelligence Today’s enterprises seek to increase data-driven decision-making to gain competitive advantage and improve efficiency. It is ironic, however, that many enterprises lack information about when and how data is used in decision-making processes. The capabilities that provide enterprises with information about how data is generated and consumed across the... Read More

Topics: Data Management, Artificial intelligence, Data Intelligence

Data Governance 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Matt Aslett on 19 September 2025

Executive Summary Data Governance Data governance is integral to an overall data management strategy. Good data governance provides guardrails that enable enterprises to act quickly while protecting the business from risks related to regulatory requirements, data-quality issues and data-reliability concerns. It accelerates the delivery of analytics projects, providing the confidence required to... Read More

Topics: Data Governance, Data Management, Artificial intelligence, Data Intelligence

Data Quality 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Matt Aslett on 19 September 2025

Executive Summary Data Quality Maintaining data quality and trust is a perennial data-management challenge, often preventing enterprises from operating at the speed of business. As enterprises aspire to be more data-driven, trust in the data used to make decisions becomes more critical. Without data quality processes and tools, enterprises may make decisions based on old, incomplete, incorrect or... Read More

Topics: Data Quality, Data Management, Artificial intelligence, Data Intelligence

Data Management 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Matt Aslett on 19 September 2025

Executive Summary Data Management Data management combines functionality addressing data governance, data quality, master data management, data integration and data intelligence to ensure that the enterprise is collecting, storing and processing data in accordance with strategic goals and regulatory requirements. Data management has been a critical component of enterprise IT strategies for... Read More

Topics: Data Management, Artificial intelligence, Data Intelligence

Data Integration 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Matt Aslett on 19 September 2025

Executive Summary Data Integration Data integration is a fundamental enabler of a data management strategy. Analysis of individual data sources—such as customer or product data—can provide insights to improve operational efficiency. However, the combination of data from multiple sources enables enterprises to innovate, improving customer experience and revenue generation, for example, by... Read More

Topics: Data Integration, Data Management, Artificial intelligence, Data Intelligence

Record to Report 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Robert Kugel on 05 September 2025

Executive Summary Record to Report The six costliest words in managing a finance department are, “We’ve always done it this way.” The record-to-report (R2R) cycle describes the process of finalizing and summarizing financial activities of an enterprise for a specific accounting period—typically a month, quarter or fiscal year. It is important to note that R2R exclusively covers the activities... Read More

Topics: Office of Finance, Consolidate and Close Management, Business & Technologies, Record to Report

Financial Close 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Robert Kugel on 05 September 2025

Executive Summary Financial Close The financial records of an enterprise must be reviewed periodically and summarized to create financial statements that inform executives and interested third parties of the organization’s financial condition and performance. An enterprise’s financial close involves a set of repeated processes that must be performed in a prescribed order and fashion to maximize... Read More

Topics: Office of Finance, Financial Close, Business & Technologies, Record to Report

Financial Consolidation 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Robert Kugel on 05 September 2025

Executive Summary Financial Consolidation The financial records of an enterprise must be reviewed periodically and summarized to create financial statements that inform executives and interested third parties of the organization’s financial condition and performance. A consolidation of the financial records and other departmental close processes involves an intricate set of repeated processes... Read More

Topics: Office of Finance, Financial Consolidation and Close, Business & Technologies

Contact Centers for Retail 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Keith Dawson on 04 September 2025

Executive Summary Contact Centers for Retail Contact centers have remained largely unchanged for decades, but are now undergoing a drastic overhaul in operations, interaction mechanics and underlying technology architectures. This is proving disruptive to both technology buyers and sellers. The most immediate cause is the explosion of new tools derived from artificial intelligence (AI)... Read More

Topics: Customer Experience, Contact Center, Retail, Business-focused Software and Services, Customers and CX - Business & Technologies

Contact Centers for Insurance 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Keith Dawson on 04 September 2025

Executive Summary Contact Centers for Insurance Contact centers have remained largely unchanged for decades, but are now undergoing a drastic overhaul in operations, interaction mechanics and underlying technology architectures. This is proving disruptive to both technology buyers and sellers. The most immediate cause is the explosion of new tools derived from artificial intelligence (AI)... Read More

Topics: Customer Experience, Contact Center, Insurance, Business-focused Software and Services, Customers and CX - Business & Technologies

Contact Centers for Healthcare 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Keith Dawson on 04 September 2025

Executive Summary Contact Centers for Healthcare Contact centers have remained largely unchanged for decades, but are now undergoing a drastic overhaul in operations, interaction mechanics and underlying technology architectures. This is proving disruptive to both technology buyers and sellers. The most immediate cause is the explosion of new tools derived from artificial intelligence (AI).... Read More

Topics: Customer Experience, Contact Center, Healthcare, Business-focused Software and Services, Customers and CX - Business & Technologies

Intelligent Self-Service 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Keith Dawson on 04 September 2025

Executive Summary Intelligent Self Service Contact centers are pivoting from offering primarily human-assisted service to relying heavily on customer self-service for routine inquiries. Customers have long had options to help themselves with simple tasks like account lookup or order status checks. As information resources became more widespread, customers became accustomed to proactively looking... Read More

Topics: Customer Experience, Contact Center, Intelligent Self-Service, Business-focused Software and Services, Customers and CX - Business & Technologies

Customer Interaction Analytics 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Keith Dawson on 04 September 2025

Executive Summary Customer Interaction Analytics The first iteration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for contact centers to use Generative AI (GenAI) brought measurable improvements to operations by automating routine functions and speeding interactions. What floated under the radar was how continued AI development was about to remake the analytic landscape around customers. We are now... Read More

Topics: Customer Experience, Contact Center, Business-focused Software and Services, Customers and CX - Business & Technologies, Customer Interaction Analytics

Agent Management 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Keith Dawson on 04 September 2025

Executive Summary Agent Management Labor has long been the largest ongoing operational expense in contact centers—so much so that managers have had to manipulate the size of the agent pool to account for cost controls. In recent years, however, it has become clear that an explosion of new technology is upending core assumptions about how that labor force should be managed. The development of... Read More

Topics: Customer Experience, Contact Center, agent management, Business-focused Software and Services, Customers and CX - Business & Technologies

Contact Centers 2025 Buyers Guide Executive Summary

Posted by Keith Dawson on 04 September 2025

Executive Summary Contact Centers Contact centers have remained largely unchanged for decades, but are now undergoing a drastic overhaul in operations, interaction mechanics and underlying technology architectures. This is proving disruptive to both technology buyers and sellers. The most immediate cause is the explosion of new tools derived from artificial intelligence (AI) innovations. Contact... Read More

Topics: Customer Experience, Contact Center, Business-focused Software and Services, Customers and CX - Business & Technologies