COM A. Butler, G. Weiss

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1 A. Butler, G. Weiss Research Note 8 September 2003 Commentary Gartner's ASEM: OLTP/ERP Update, 2003 In the 2003 Application Server Evaluation Model, 's zseries still leads in the online transaction processing and enterprise resource planning rankings. The latest ASEM version features a new look and a Linux comparison. Recognizing the growing acceptance of "best of breed" technologies, Gartner's Application Server Evaluation Model (ASEM) helps enterprises to deploy servers in specific application-dependent situations for example, online transaction processing (OLTP) and enterprise resource planning (ERP), or data warehousing. A server may be well-qualified for one kind of deployment, but not for others. Here, we examine the latest version of the OLTP/ERP model. Other research will cover the updated datawarehousing model. The OLTP/ERP model features 12 systems from the following vendors: Sun Microsystems,, Hewlett-Packard (), Fujitsu Siemens Computers, Dell and Unisys. Key Changes Since the Previous ASEM Update The previous OLTP/ERP ASEM was published in the third quarter of That update featured the same platforms as we have in the latest version, the difference being that we have now added a Linux standard high-volume (SHV) cluster comparison. The ranking of the various platforms has not changed greatly since the previous update the top-four places (in order), then and now, go to the zseries, Superdome, pseries and iseries. The most-significant differences are in the structure of the model itself. We now include four overall categories (instead of three). These cover: Technology Manageability Market momentum Business practice We have also introduced several new criteria, such as operating system (OS) manageability, server management tools, corporate viability and business strategy. Some of these have evolved from previous criteria that we did not believe were providing full value to the purpose of the model. Gartner 2003 Gartner, Inc. and/or its Affiliates. All Rights Reserved. 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 Scoring and Weighting Our findings compare the platforms as servers running an OLTP/database application, such as ERP, using 26 raw and weighted selection criteria that cover four categories: technology, manageability, market momentum and business practice. A further, unfilled category (local) is reserved for clients who wish to tailor the model. Each criterion is scored from one to 10 and (as with the new Gartner Magic Quadrants) each score is relative to the other servers tested. The server evaluation model focuses on what each platform supports now, rather than on the marketing promises that most vendors will make. To reflect the fact that some criteria are more relevant to a particular application than others, a weighting factor has been applied to each one. This weighting factor can vary from one application type to another and is scored from one to five. Weighting factors also vary between the OLTP and data-warehousing models. The server evaluation model does not rate outright performance, or price against performance. Price tends to be negotiated by transaction and is greatly affected by discounting strategies and local politics. Similarly, performance data are not consistent between all the platforms featured in the server evaluation model. Industry standard benchmarks, such as the Transaction Processing Performance Council Benchmark C (TPC-C), are not available for all platforms, and runs only Large Systems Performance Reference (LSPR) for the zseries. We will evaluate the methodology for assessing price against performance in a future revision of the server evaluation model. Servers All four server brands are included: iseries, pseries, and zseries. During the past two years, has embarked on a complete re-branding of its disparate server lines, under the umbrella name of eservers. In the interest of accuracy, we use only the new definitions, but Table 1 maps the new naming onto the older and better-known brands that are still more familiar to many users. Table 1 Server Names Old Name New Name AS/400 RS/6000 Netfinity System/390 iseries pseries zseries Linux Servers This iteration of the OLTP ASEM includes, for the first time, Linux clusters (using Red Hat Linux as the distribution). Because Linux is not as scalable in symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) as the other platforms (although we expect higher performance in the next version of the kernel), we chose a cluster configuration with a database solution such as Oracle9iRAC to deliver OLTP performance. Nevertheless, the Linux overall score lags behind the other Windows Intel and Unix reduced instruction set computer (RISC) platforms because of the relative lack of maturity in management tools and market momentum. Business practice was also limited due to the relatively new business model for most vendors of delivering a comprehensive package of services and support. We expect the fuller ecosystem, as emphasized in the ASEM, to take time to mature as it applies to the broad OLTP market requirements. 8 September

3 NonStop and Alpha Servers For the second year running, 's NonStop server, based on MIPS semiconductor technology and running NonStop Kernel (NSK), is included in the OLTP/ERP model. Previously named the Compaq Himalaya, this server is most widely deployed as a fault-tolerant, parallel server. However, we see interesting potential for NonStop servers to function as the pivotal core of a heterogeneous IT infrastructure, where their great reliability makes them a solid choice as a database engine. Although Alpha servers running Tru64 Unix are still available, we do not expect that will promote Tru64 Unix in new business situations. For that reason, we have now excluded Tru64 Unix from the ASEM. OLTP/ERP Serving Comparisons Table 2, Table 3 and Table 4 show the summary for raw data and weighted data for the August 2003 revision. All scoring changes made since the previous server evaluation model update in August 2002 are shown in bold in Table 3. z900 Non- Stop Table 2 OLTP/ERP Serving Summary: Weighted Data Superdome p690 i890 Sun Sun Fire 15K (Starcat) Fujitsu Primepower 2500 Linux Cluster Pro- Liant x440 Dell Power- Edge Unisys ES7000 Orion Technology Manageability Market Momentum Business Practice User-Definable Criteria Total Rank September

4 Table 3 OLTP/ERP Serving Comparisons: Raw Data Fujitsu Linux Superdome p690 i890 Primepower Cluster Vendor, Platform & Model z900 Non- Stop Sun Sun Fire 15K Pro- Liant x440 (8- Dell Power- Edge Unisys ES7000 Orion (Starcat) 2500 Way) Technology Processor Technology System Performance Clustering (for Performance) Unplanned Downtime (Single) Unplanned Downtime (Clustered) Disaster Tolerance/ Recovery Manageability Planned Downtime Partition Management Capacity on Demand OS Manageability Server Management Tools Workload Management Market Momentum Architectural Viability ISV Enthusiasm Application Portfolio Availability of Skills Demand Creation Fulfillment Gartner Client "Radar" Business Practice Ease of Doing Business Support Business Strategy Corporate Viability Negotiation Opportunity Delivers on Promises Professional Services User-Definable Criteria User-Definable User-Definable User-Definable Total Rank Weight -ing Factor 8 September

5 Table 4 OLTP/ERP Serving Comparisons: Relative Rankings (Raw Data) z900 Non- Stop Sun Sun Fire 15K (Starcat) Superdome p690 i890 Fujitsu Primepower 2500 Linux Cluster Pro- Liant x440 (8- Way) Dell Power- Edge Technology Manageability Market Momentum Business Practice User-Definable Criteria Technology Unisys ES7000 Orion The technology category measures the performance, reliability and functionality of each platform. 's zseries has always been the outright winner of each server evaluation model update, but its lead has been narrowed by increasingly competent Unix servers. zseries generally wins by opening a commanding technological lead that outweighs its relatively low market momentum and business practice scores. The zseries' technological lead over the top-tier Unix platforms has diminished to just one or two points for certain criteria, although we believe that will continue to make significant zseries investments to help maintain its advantage. The two other proprietary designs in the ASEM 's NonStop servers and the iseries also beat the best of Unix and Windows. Of the Unix platforms, 's Superdome wins narrowly over 's pseries and Fujitsu's Primepower, its main scoring advantage over its rivals being in disaster tolerance/recovery. Sun was slightly behind in raw data scores, but all four top Unix vendors were well-placed. This update of the ASEM features a new category for manageability, and many of the traditional Unix assets are now featured in this category, rather than technology. 's Unix achievement came from generally high scores throughout, rather than from excellence in any one area. Unisys scored substantially better than other Intel platforms in this category, underscoring its determination to have users compare the ES7000 against Unix opposition, rather than traditional Intel competition. As with previous ASEM updates, the weighting factors for technology favor performance and reliability criteria, with less emphasis on CPU performance and parallel clustering. Manageability The new manageability category measures criteria like planned downtime and software-based management aids, such as partitioning, capacity on demand and resource management. The scoring echoed that of the technology category remarkably closely. Again, the scoring was dominated by 's zseries, and again the NonStop and iseries came second and third, thus building on a generation of investment in management strengths. 's Superdome was the strongest Unix server evaluated, but all of the Unix servers featured pockets of strength. Sun and Fujitsu were particularly strong in planned downtime, while led the others in capacity on demand, workload management and server management tools. Partition management is no longer an automatic advantage for Sun. Although Sun's partitioning remains more proven and arguably more complete than that of any other Unix vendor, we also recognize that the alternative logical-partitioning approach of offers advantages in granularity. Faced with such variation, users must choose the partitioning model that corresponds best to 8 September

6 their needs. With so much industry focus on management, this whole category scores relatively highly in terms of weighting factors. Market Momentum This category measures the state of market acceptance and demand for each platform. This category has traditionally been dominated by both Solaris and Windows. However, the lead of Solaris over other Unix variants has diminished during the past two years. Although the software portfolio for Solaris remains strong (beaten only by that of Windows), we increasingly see key independent software vendors (ISVs) giving equal priority to their AIX and -UX versions, and they are also factoring Linux into their OS support planning. 's continued Unix market improvement now gives the pseries a narrow lead over and Sun. Also, the enthusiasm and portfolio scores continue to vary between Windows Advanced Server and Windows Datacenter Server. In fact, it is really the impact of the smaller software portfolio, muted ISV enthusiasm and slow uptake of the Windows Datacenter Server market to date that makes the Unisys ES7000 (the only Windows Datacenter Server machine evaluated in the ASEM) fall behind Intel SHV competition in the final rankings. A good track record is usually a major selling factor, so the weighting factors for this category are also generally high. Business Practice Business practice assesses the go-to-market and engagement strategy of each vendor. To excel in this category, vendors must make significant investments and be committed to building professional services, skills, application choices and flexible negotiation opportunities, tailored to the needs of OLTP or ERP users. Support and corporate viability both score the maximum weighting factor; other ratings are considered to be of average importance. Scores in this category are influenced more by the competence of the vendor than the platform, so no single platform excels. Strong scores for support and professional services have favored strong data center vendors such as Unisys, and although all vendors are now investing heavily in this area. The disparity is decreasing with each new server evaluation model update. Bottom Line: Despite a year passing since the previous Application Server Evaluation Model update, the relative rankings have not changed greatly. 's proprietary zseries and iseries, and Hewlett-Packard's NonStop, continue to return relatively strong scores. Although these platforms are attracting less new business, they remain strong installed-base solutions. returns the best Unix server ranking for the second year running, with a slightly increased lead over 's pseries. However, we still see showing greater overall market momentum in Unix server sales. Fujitsu Siemens Computers' Unix servers returned an impressive result, comfortably ahead of Sun Microsystems, to reinforce the claim that the Primepower is more than just a Sun clone. The positioning of the Intel platforms remains very close. As with last year, 's scores a narrow lead over 's ProLiant. The market for beyond-eight-way Intel computers remains sluggish, and this continues to impede momentum for the technically innovative Unisys ES7000. However, the successful launch of Windows 2003 in April 2003 and Microsoft's growing enthusiasm for 64-bit computing should help to swell the market potential for larger Intel servers from Unisys and such vendors as, Groupe Bull, and Fujitsu during September