Magic Quadrant for Metadirectory Products, 2H03

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1 Markets, J. Enck Research Note 30 September 2003 Magic Quadrant for Metadirectory Products, 2H03 Enterprises are turning more frequently to metadirectory and virtual-directory products to ease the pain of maintaining multiple directories. In this Magic Quadrant update, Microsoft joins Novell in the Leaders quadrant. Core Topic Hardware Platforms: Server Platforms Key Issue How will centralized and distributed servers evolve during the next five years? Strategic Planning Assumption By 2005, the capabilities of metadirectory products and user-provisioning products will effectively have merged (0.8 probability). Faced with the harsh reality of maintaining multiple directories in the IT infrastructure, enterprises are turning to solutions that integrate directories. An integration solution can reduce the administrative burden of multiple directories, increase the overall accuracy of data and enforce data precedence. In general terms, integration solutions fall into three categories: User provisioning: User-provisioning products maintain a central repository of user attributes sourced from, and sometimes used to manage data in, outlying authoritative directories or repositories. User-provisioning products also include workflow capabilities to apply business rules to the account provisioning process and typically provide user self-service capabilities (such as password reset). Metadirectory: Metadirectory products provide information aggregation by aggregating data into a single repository (a "meta-verse") and/or by synchronizing data between a set of directories and repositories. Metadirectories can also enforce data precedence rules, thus allowing different repositories to be the authoritative owner of different user attributes. Virtual directory: Virtual-directory products also provide information aggregation; however, they accomplish this through logical joins. A virtual directory can be used to provide a unified directory view of information aggregated from multiple underlying directories and repositories each data source potentially a different product using a different schema. User-provisioning and metadirectory solutions share similarities; however, we currently view them as different markets. In terms of trends, metadirectory products are sprouting user-provisioning features (for example, user self-service and workflow capabilities) and user-provisioning products are growing Gartner Reproduction of this publication in any form without prior written permission is forbidden. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Gartner disclaims all warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of such information. Gartner shall have no liability for errors, omissions or inadequacies in the information contained herein or for interpretations thereof. The reader assumes sole responsibility for the selection of these materials to achieve its intended results. The opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice.

2 metadirectory features (such as persistent store and complex multidirectional synchronization). As a result, we continue to assert that, by 2005, the capabilities of metadirectory products and user-provisioning products will effectively have merged (0.8 probability). The 2H03 Metadirectory Product Magic Quadrant addresses the last two categories: metadirectory and virtual-directory products. Although these two product approaches are somewhat different in nature, they both address the aggregation of data stored in multiple directories, which is the key criterion for inclusion in this Magic Quadrant. Gartner's Magic Quadrant Methodology Gartner's Magic Quadrants map each vendor's or product's ability to execute with a coherent vision. Several factors influence the positioning on these axes, including: Marketing and product strategies Third-party software market acceptance Packaging, branding and distribution Architectural flexibility Product reliability and scalability Investment resources and commitment The higher the risks and uncertainties in these categories, the more depressed a vendor's position and resultant leverage will be in the market. Successful vendors will demonstrate consistency and steady progress, while unsuccessful vendors will appear to be facing untimely technological transitions, confusing market strategy shifts or other changes that lower the chances of market success. The Metadirectory Product Magic Quadrant Figure 1 shows the Magic Quadrant for Metadirectory Products for the second half of As previously discussed, products qualifying for this Magic Quadrant demonstrate the ability to aggregate data distributed across multiple directories or repositories. This definition embraces conventional metadirectory products as well as the emerging category of virtual-directory products. 30 September

3 Figure 1 Magic Quadrant for Metadirectory Products, 2H03 Challengers Leaders Microsoft Ability to Execute Syntegra Radiant Logic MaXware OctetString IBM Computer Associates Novell Waveset Critical Path Sun ONE Siemens As of September 2003 Niche Players Source: Gartner Research (September 2003) Completeness of Vision Enterprises should not use this Magic Quadrant as the only criterion for pre-qualifying vendors for a request for proposal or a request for quotation. Enterprises should also evaluate the use of vendors based on geographical strengths, relationships with key software vendors, alignments within specific vertical industries and the introduction of highly innovative technology. Leaders Quadrant Visionaries In the previous publication of the Magic Quadrant ("2H02 Metadirectory Service Market Magic Quadrant"), Novell was the sole vendor in the Leaders quadrant. In this publication, Microsoft joins Novell. Microsoft has been offering Microsoft Metadirectory Server (MMS) in this space since the release of Windows However, in 2003, Microsoft introduced a completely new version of this product, termed Microsoft Identity Integration Server (MIIS). MIIS moves beyond MMS by introducing userprovisioning features such as a simple in-line approval and selfservice password management. We view MIIS as a strategic product that should allow Microsoft to fully leverage Active Directory in a broader variety of IT infrastructures. 30 September

4 Novell maintains a strong position in the Leaders quadrant, because of its dual-pronged strategy with DirXML. First, DirXML is the core product that drives Novell's Nsure identity management initiatives. Second, DirXML provides integration functionality between edirectory and other repositories in Novell products, such as ZENworks and NetWare. We continue to view DirXML as market-leading technology and the prime example of a metadirectory product expanding into a user-provisioning product. Visionaries Quadrant Critical Path, Siemens and Sun ONE continue to occupy strong positions in the Visionaries quadrant, and with this publication of the Magic Quadrant they are joined by Waveset Technologies. Critical Path's sales have trended toward high-end implementations and, therefore, Critical Path has enjoyed success in government, carrier and other markets where the IT infrastructure services large numbers of users. Critical Path's Meta-Directory Server is a platform-neutral solution and forms the foundation for Critical Path's user-provisioning solution. Siemens' metadirectory product, DirXmetahub, is also a platformneutral solution, enabling it to be easily adapted into a wide variety of environments. Siemens has had good success in certain geographies and it has a specific stronghold in Germany. Siemens also provides an adjacent product DirXmetaRole to enable user-provisioning features. Sun ONE rarely pursues freestanding metadirectory opportunities, and, instead, metadirectory sales tend to "ride on the coattails" of the Sun ONE directory. Thus, enterprises that view the Sun ONE Directory Server as a strategic directory will frequently use the Sun ONE Meta-Directory Server. Sun ONE also has an adjacent Sun ONE Identity Server product for the authentication, authorization and administration of browserenabled applications. Waveset has been a strong player in the user-provisioning market, and, with the advent of its Lighthouse Directory Master product, Waveset has expanded into the metadirectory space. By offering both a conventional user-provisioning product and a metadirectory product, Waveset is straddling both markets and positioning itself well for the technology conversion Gartner is predicting. 30 September

5 Challengers Quadrant Two vendors Computer Associates International and IBM move into the Challengers quadrant in this publication of the Magic Quadrant. Computer Associates enters the Magic Quadrant thanks to the virtual-directory capabilities embedded in its etrust directory product. In many respects, Computer Associates has the most unique product in both the directory and metadirectory markets, because its core product (etrust) provides freestanding directory and data aggregation capabilities. IBM's Directory Integrator (IDI) supports the aggregation of data through multidirectional synchronization; however, it does not rely on an internal repository to drive the synchronization. In effect, IDI is a metadirectory without a meta-verse. The transactional nature of IDI does, however, fit well within IBM's larger framework for middleware and Tivoli identity management products. Niche Players Quadrant The Niche Players quadrant includes three incumbent vendors MaXware International, Radiant Logic and Syntegra and one new vendor, OctetString. MaXware and Radiant Logic offer products featuring both virtualdirectory and metadirectory technology. Both companies have also formed key partnerships with related software companies (for example, companies in the user-provisioning and security management spaces) and both companies are on a course to exit the Niche Players quadrant as their products and markets continue to evolve. OctetString and Syntegra offer virtual-directory products. Syntegra is a wholly owned subsidiary of BT Group and has its strongest market presence in the United Kingdom. OctetString is a new player hoping to exploit rising interest in virtual-directory technology; however, OctetString is in the early stages of its market development. Acronym Key IDI IBM Directory Integrator MIIS Microsoft Identity Integration Server MMS Microsoft Metadirectory Server Bottom Line: Enterprises should study the differences between user-provisioning, metadirectory and virtual-directory products and strive to avoid deploying overlapping products. Enterprises should also recognize that convergence is coming to all of these technologies, and should therefore choose the product that meets immediate needs and offers the best road map toward a converged solution. 30 September