Gartner Inc. (NYSE: IT) is the world's largest information technology research shop, and a leading information technology and advisory consulting company. The company's research is used by its client companies' chief information officers (CIOs) and senior staff to keep abreast of technology trends, industry benchmarking, and best practices. Gartner sells its research and consulting services, and hosts industry events, for clients in 80 countries that include 400 of the companies in the Fortune 500. The company earns the majority of its revenues selling research reports, and in 2009 this totaled $752.5 million.

Three firms - Gartner, Forrester, and IDC - collectively account for 60% of the IT research market. ^[1] Gartner maintains a commanding 40% market share in the IT research industry. Its biggest competitor is Forrester Research (FORR). ^[2]

(Read more at Wikinvest )