Workgroup Servers

Workgroup servers have undergone considerable changes over the recent past,

thanks to multi-core CPUs. Today you could easily get a dual-socket, quad core

CPU based server, which is the equivalent of an 8-way server, but at half the

cost, size, complexity, and power consumption. All these factors are critical

for most data centers today. The four key brands being considered for data

centers, according to our survey, are IBM, HP-Compaq, Dell and HCL.

Here again, there's a sea-saw battle between IBM and HP-Compaq. This time,

IBM has gained an edge and become the most future ready brand by just a slight

margin, making it the winner of this year's Users' Choice award. HP-Compaq

however, is giving it stiff competition, and is very close on its heels. Dell

and HCL are a distant third and fourth.

HP-Compaq is the most persuasive brand of the lot, ie the highest probably

conversions from top of mind recall to likelihood of purchase. Dell on the other

hand, enjoys greater brand pull than any other brand. HCL has the lowest brand

pull, and according to our survey, more CIOs were likely to switch out of it

than switch in. HP-Compaq enjoys the highest brand loyalty among its existing

users, with only 13% likely switch-out to other brands. HCL has the lowest brand

loyalty, with a 28% likely switch-out, mostly to HP and IBM. It also has 31%

users who're not sure about which brand to switch to.