Gartner is one of the world’s leading research and advisory companies. It regularly generates thousands of research reports and regularly publishes numerous research articles covering a wide range of topics related to IT and business. These reports highlight the latest technology and business trends, providing recommendations on how to implement them in any sector.

Senior managers across the board – including at UCT – have used this resource for many years. This type of research helps us to make business and IT-related decisions. It also assists with strategic thinking. With these benefits in mind, UCT Libraries and ICTS have entered into a joint venture to make this resource available to all staff and students.

Access thousands of reports on 700 topics

Gartner provides various university packages. UCT has opted for the core IT research subscription, which contains thousands of research reports covering 700 topics.  Follow the instructions below to access the material available to UCT.

1. Log on to http://gartner.uct.ac.za using your UCT credentials.
2. Once you have authenticated, under the search bar at the top of the screen, click Advanced Search.
3. Scroll to the Entitlement section and ensure that the Research I Own option is selected.
4. Click Search.

Once you have logged in, you can select topics that are of interest to you in order to get regular updates. Alternatively, you can simply use the search functionality to find what you are interested in.

Note that after you have logged on for the first time, Gartner may send a follow-up email. You can choose to ignore this or take the required action.

We recommend that you access Gartner via gartner.uct.ac.za only – rather than via the standard Gartner website. By logging in via UCT-authenticated access, you will only see the research articles that are available via our selected subscription. You can then use the My Library tab to save reports as needed. Depending on the range of articles you’re saving, you can create folders to better manage these resources.

Manage your profile

Your profile is pre-populated with your UCT contact information; however you can change this if necessary. You can also use the Preferences section to choose whether you would like Gartner to contact you, and you can Personalise your Gartner experience.

Because this is such an extensive resource, Gartner gives you a range of options to keep abreast of the latest developments that interest you. At the top of the page, you can select topics that you would like to Track. You can either use the provided keywords or do a search.

Gartner features

Magic quadrants

Gartner doesn’t only focus on what is being done. It also provides a graphical overview of what companies are on trend and which ones are up-and-coming. This information is displayed in a magic quadrant so that you can see which vendor can deliver the required product or service as well as who is the best option to execute your vision. You can search by topic, industry, or vendor.

Gartner Hype cycles

With technology constantly changing, it’s hard to stay up-to-date on what applications, hardware and software are still on trend, or which ones are no longer applicable. The Gartner Hype Cycles provides a quick overview of new innovations that have taken off and their progression so you can track whether the hype remains or wanes over time. This shows you which technology will be beneficial to you in the long run. It also helps to minimise the risk of investing in a product or service that does not have a long lifespan. You can then search by industry or topic area.

Why you should use it

Students	Academics and researchers	IT professionals
See which companies are leaders in the business and technology sectors. They will likely be your future employers. Keep abreast of these companies’ challenges and opportunities. Use real-time market analyses and case studies in your own research. Use Gartner’s research to help you prepare for job interviews.	See what topics are currently trending. Use these as case studies in courses. Update or create new courses in line with business and IT trends. Include the latest research in lectures. Use research findings in your own research papers.	Get a better understanding of how IT supports business objectives. Reduce risks by investigating the most viable option for your faculty or department. Use case studies to support your business needs. Develop your IT knowledge to ensure that you stay on trend with the ever-changing technology field.

Get help

Log an online call with the IT Helpdesk and a consultant will provide you with the necessary assistance.

FAQs

• Can I access Gartner off campus?
  You can access Gartner anywhere as long as you have internet connectivity and access this resource at gartner.uct.ac.za.

• Can I access Gartner if I am UCT alumni?
  This Gartner offering is only available to current UCT staff and students.