Gartner TCO Model - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Decision Engine for Cost Management (DECM) TCO Model Player?

What is Certified TCO Expert (CTE) Training and when should I attend?

How do I get training for using the models in the Gartner TCO Model Player?

How can I make sure that I have the latest versions of the Gartner TCO model player and the Gartner TCO models?

What happens when my license expires - will I sill have access to my data?

Are the Gartner TCO models customizable?

How often is the data in the Gartner TCO models updated?

How do I know that there is a new version of my model?

What factors influence the results in a simulation?

What is Technical Support for?

What is an internal benchmark?

What is the difference between an internal benchmark and a Gartner Consulting assessment?

Does TVO replace TCO?

How does Gartner ensure and maintain its independence and objectivity?

Will I be able to use the Gartner logo and brand?

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What is the Decision Engine for Cost Management (DECM) TCO Model Player?
The Decision Engine for Cost Management TCO Model Player (sometimes called DECM or Gartner TCO Player) is intended to provide the central management platform for the Gartner TCO models, analyses and peers.

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What is Certified TCO Expert (CTE) training, and when should I attend?
CTE training explains how to use the Gartner TCO Player and work with the Gartner TCO models. The training program includes measurement, simulation and Return On Investment (ROI) modeling. Some of these training sessions are online as well as class based. In order to fully secure CTE status you have to take and pass the CTE Exam. The CTE Exam is available exclusively online.

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How do I get training for using the model(s) in the Gartner TCO Model Player?
Gartner provides CTE training on its TCO models in 2 formats - class based and online. For the classroom based classes, Gartner offers public classes at its Maitland , Florida ( USA ), Munich ( Germany ) and Egham ( United Kingdom) offices. Initial access to the public courses is based on the number of Gartner TCO model licenses purchased - 1 training place per license. Organizations can purchase additional training places. The CTE training can also be provided on a client site at additional costs. For details on times and locations for the public course held at Gartner sites, please check the Gartner Web site at Applied Methodology Training or call +1 (407) 643-2600, select Option 3.

We will be introducing an online training option for the Distributed Computing Gartner TCO model. This training program will replace the included class based training option previously included in model purchases. This option will be available to existing and new Gartner TCO model subscribers equally. Access and use of this new service requires that users have registered their software in advance. If you are interested in using the online training please click here to visit the Gartner Applied Research e-Learning Center.

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How can I make sure that I have the latest versions of the Gartner TCO model player and the Gartner TCO models?
You can check your Player version number by looking under the Help - About menu. You can check your Gartner TCO model numbers by opening the Player in the Model Portfolio and look at the version column.

The Gartner TCO model player is usually updated via the web. You can check to see if you have the latest version of the Player and the Gartner TCO models by using the “Check for Application Updates” menu item under the Help menu. If you are using Player v2.4 or higher you can automate the checking process by adjusting the parameters under the Options menu item in the Tools menu list. Gartner only provides access to the latest version of the player, although we provide some support for two full versions back. For example, if we were on v2.5 SR2 we would only offer v2.5 SR2 for installation but we would support v2.3 onwards.

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What happens when my license expires - will I still have access to my data?
When your license expires, the Gartner TCO Player will run in evaluation mode. This means that you will still be able to read data from all previously saved analyses, but you will not be able to alter or print any of them.

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Are the Gartner TCO models customizable?
The Gartner TCO Player allows for some modification of the questionnaire that you can present to colleagues. This is described as “scoping”. However you cannot currently add or remove questions or metrics from the Gartner TCO models. If you would like further information about “scoping”, please contact your Gartner representative.

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How often is the data in the Gartner TCO models updated?
This is a difficult question to answer quickly. Different data is updated at different times and that is driven mostly by the Gartner view of the market, technology use and evolution, as well as our own research agenda. When we look at the market we have to look beyond the potential hype or marketing that abounds in the wider market and focus on the more enduring, sustained changes. The publications and research notes from Gartner Research is a good indicator of what might appear in future Gartner TCO models.

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How do I know that there is a new version of my model?
As a registered DECM user, you are notified by email. Alternatively, you can check proactively, using the update function in DECM either manually or using the new automated feature available since version 2.4 onwards.

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What factors influence the results in simulations?
The simulations in Gartner TCO models are typically driven by users entering high-level descriptive input about their environment which is then applied to the underlying Gartner data and logic. The software uses modeling criteria based on Gartner Research experience and vision, client input and Gartner Consulting data. The Simulation represents what Gartner would expect your costs to be based on your submitted data and Gartner Research vision and insight into the relationships in the use of technology.

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What is Technical Support for? Is it the same as the Customer Support Center?
Technical Support is intended to offer software technical support, such as help with installation, registration, your model access, etc. The Customer Support Center is intended to arrange access to the correct analysts to help with analytical or modeling matters, directions as to what research you should be using, or what TCO models are available. Please note securing analyst access might incur an additional charge and is subject to analyst availability. You can access the Customer Support Center through the Ask an Analyst links on Gartner.com or by using the Contact Us email form. In either event, in addition to your question, you should detail the specific TCO model, the model version and the software version.

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What is an internal benchmark?
An internal benchmark is a comparative benchmark performed by a client that allows for the simple comparison of internal only costs between several uses of performance. An internal benchmark does not involve or support a comparison or reference to any 3rd party data. Many Organizations find the Gartner TCO models to be a useful framework to structure and manage their internal benchmarking activities.

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What is the difference between an internal benchmark and a Gartner Consulting Assessment?
A Gartner Consulting Assessment offers a flexible and focused assessment exercise performed by highly experienced Gartner Consultants using Gartner methodologies (including TCO and TVO) as well as and 3rd party methodologies to deliver a set of analytical results to the client. The results also offer an objective and independent insight into performance through comparative analysis with specifically selected 3rd party company data. The results are used to develop collaborative road maps for innovation and solution implementation.

An internal benchmark offers a Gartner TCO methodology as a means to manage their ongoing cost profile without reliance on Gartner.

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Does TVO replace TCO?
No. TVO (Total Value of Opportunity) and TCO are complementary Gartner methodologies. TVO focuses on the determination of the business value delivered through a technology investment, while TCO carefully defines and measures the full scope of relevant direct and indirect costs for specific technologies and technology disciplines.

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How does Gartner ensure and maintain its independence and objectivity?
Gartner, Inc. is the leading provider of research and analysis on the information technology industry. Our principal business segments include Research, Consulting, Executive Programs and Events. Clients include chief information officers and other senior executives in corporations and government agencies, as well as technology companies (vendors) and the investment community. Our clients depend on insights provided by Gartner to make better-informed decisions about the impact of technology on their operations, markets and strategies.

The independence and objectivity of our research and advice are hallmarks of the Gartner brand. We founded the technology research and advisory industry on these principles in 1979. With more than 10,000 clients and 75 locations worldwide, we remain the clear market leader. Client trust in our rigorous standards to safeguard independence and objectivity is the basis of our business. For further information please click Gartner guiding principles for independence and objectivity or Gartner Vendor Relations.

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Will I be able to use the Gartner logo and brand?
The independence and objectivity of Gartner is paramount and critical both in terms of reality and perception. With this in mind, the use of the Gartner logo by 3rd parties is carefully and strictly defined according to rules that you find by referring to Gartner Vendor Relations.

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