1. Strategic fit relative to your enterprise environment
1. Breadth of DW/BI/IT services

                                                               i.      Tools

                                                              ii.      Services

2. Industry partnering strength

                                                               i.      HW (NW, Storage)

                                                              ii.      SW (sector specific, functions)

3. Support of industry standards

                                                               i.      Platforms

                                                              ii.      Operating systems

                                                            iii.      Applications providers

4. Ongoing R&D investment

                                                               i.      Innovation

                                                              ii.      Conversion to tools and support

5. Correlation to enterprise needs (current, 1-3 yrs, 3-5 yrs)

                                                               i.      Requirements by LOB or functional basis

                                                              ii.      Level of functional establishment

 

2. Benchmarking
1. Standardized such as TPC or customized

                                                               i.      URL for test methodology and results

                                                              ii.      URL for documented test configuration

2. Performance oriented or comparative

                                                               i.      Test validation process (3^rd party, documentation, test results)

                                                              ii.      Process and level of vendor engagement

                                                            iii.      Test site (lab, production site, other)

                                                            iv.      URL for public posting of test results

                                                             v.      Confidence in repeatability of results

3. Configuration details for benchmark tests above

                                                               i.      Hardware (CPU, Storage, Connectivity)

                                                              ii.      Network configuration (LAN, WAN, SAN, Wireless)

                                                            iii.      Other software running on the system (systems, applciations, communications)

                                                            iv.      Operating System – version, level

                                                             v.      Database SW version

4. Test parameters and measurement criteria

                                                               i.      Workload

                                                              ii.      Query mix description

                                                            iii.      Performance measurement and validation process

                                                            iv.      Measures to restrict goal seeking

5. Test team composition

                                                               i.      Staff and qualifications

 

3. System Upgrades
1. Conditions defined for system upgrades
2. HW: CPU, Storage, I/O, networking
3. SW: Operating System, functionality, application compatibility
4. Reuse and enhance existing HW/SW investments
5. Restart/rebuild data warehouse environment
6. Time to upgrade components, full system
7. Process to upgrade to leverage another BI applciation or tool

 

4. References
1. Available to speak or visit
2. Purchase systems vs. comped (no charge, test, trial)
3. Demonstration installs or production systems

 

5. Proof of Concepts
1. Time to set-up and execute
2. Location and test logistics
3. Test parameters and methodology
4. Applicability and assurance of test results to production system

 

6. Maintenance and Support
1. Combined system charge or charged by system components
2. Escalation per system or component
3. Impact on cost for upgrades