IDCPreferred is a scalable service that provides IDC clients with the flexibility of being able to access IDC global services outside current subscriptions and interact with worldwide analysts through a dedicated, single point of contact. Subscribing to IDCPreferred entitles clients to a bank of inquiry hours that can be allocated toward direct analyst interaction and custom research. Additionally, this bank of hours can be allocated toward existing published information, at an added discount, or on a broad range of IT industry topics from any of IDC's Continuous Intelligence Services.

IT suppliers in today's dynamic market are faced with the challenge of predicting information requirements for the coming year. As market and planning priorities shift, research and information needs may also shift. IDCPreferred helps answer the following questions:

• How do I quickly and efficiently find accurate market intelligence on a new segment?
• How do I formulate winning strategies to maximize market share and growth potential?
• How do I research technology areas before purchasing a complete subscription to any particular service?

IDCPreferred gives clients the flexibility to access online research and expert advice from any of IDC's worldwide services.

IDCPreferred clients have direct access to online published IDC research. IDC's online research is always available for immediate insight and analysis.

In addition to online research access, IDCPreferred clients gain unlimited admission to IDC's main corporate research library in northern California. Arrangements can also be made for access to IDC libraries in more than 40 countries.

The dedicated analyst account manager, who acts as the single point of contact for all analyst interactions and custom research, is chartered with understanding a client's research requirements and leveraging the IDC resources best suited to fulfilling the client's immediate and long-term research needs.

Another key benefit to being an IDCPreferred client is access to a team of knowledgeable IDC analysts worldwide. Through a dedicated analyst account manager, this access enables clients to tap into the expertise of industry and market experts, obtain strategic and tactical advice, and gain insight into new products and industry events.

IDC hosts telebriefings each week, providing an opportunity to interact with IDC market experts. The first Thursday of each month is reserved for Executive Telebriefings. These high-level discussions are open to all clients and offer broad-based exposure to IDC's research and industry expertise. Throughout the remainder of each month, each weekly IDC telebriefing covers a different technology segment. IDCPreferred clients may attend these product-specific telebriefings by registering online and applying an hour of inquiry time.

IDC helps corporations make tactical and strategic decisions on management and IT issues such as architecture, suppliers, technologies, products, services, staffing, and processes. IDC's research provides end-user information, IT spending patterns, market size and trend analysis, product pricing trends, distribution channels, five-year unit/revenue forecasts, vertical market segmentation, vendor competitive or financial analysis, emerging technology analysis, and business opportunity assessment. The following examples illustrate how clients utilize the IDCPreferred service:

• Launching a new product in a new market: To ensure a successful product launch in a new market, this organization turned to IDC for research and guidance. The client purchased specific IDC research documents on its market and technology area of interest and arranged analyst calls to help define and identify the elements that needed to be targeted in the new market. The client was able to make an informed decision on the timing of the launch, the key messaging and benefits of interest to this market, and differentiate itself from the competition.
• Technology areas: With many products that cross technology areas, this company used IDCPreferred to support its product managers and strategic planners — particularly during the business planning cycle. By allowing the client to access several documents and analysts, IDC enabled the client to obtain answers to questions on new markets and identify where those new markets existed.

For IT suppliers or IT buyers doing business planning and budgeting, sales and marketing, or performance measurement, we have the custom offerings to optimize your success at every stage of your business. Our data- and content-driven approach helps you make better decisions, drive more effective marketing programs, and effectively measure your success - resulting in a greater return on your investment.

Whether you are a technology buyer or provider, IDC Insights' research translates today's global end-user requirements and trends into business opportunities for your organization. With dedicated businesses targeting energy, financial services, government, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail, IDC provides unmatched integration of global technology and vertical industry expertise to deliver industry-specific customer intelligence that gives clients a powerful business advantage.

Connect and engage with a global network of business and IT professionals in the first-of-its-kind end-user community at http://idc-insights-community.com.