Benchmarking the Systems Integration Services Market: An Analysis of Performance Metrics and Pricing Trends

This IDC study provides industry averages for key performance metrics that any executive managing an SI services business should be aware of and monitor on a regular basis. The document analyzes three major types of metrics: project, revenue, and expense. Project metrics include metrics such as average project duration, average consultants per project, and average size of projects. Revenue metrics include revenue per consultant, hourly billing rate, and utilization rate. Last, expense metrics evaluate the percentage of spending that an IT services firm devotes to different areas of its business, such as training, research and development (R&D), and human resources. This study provides insight into the differences in these metrics by industry and technology product, where applicable, and concludes with recommendations to systems integrators using such metrics to manage their business.

This document answers the following questions:

What are the industry averages for such metrics as revenue per consultant, utilization rate, and average project length? How do these averages differ by industry, geography, and technology product? How have these metrics changed over the past few years, and what may affect them going forward?

"In order to compete successfully in today's systems integration services industry, services firms must have a firm grasp on their key performance indicators and monitor them closely to alert them to areas needing improvement," said Stephanie Torto, program manager for Systems Integration Business Strategies at IDC.