Gartner
A global information technology research, advisory, consulting, and conferences company.
Last updated November 3, 2026
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Overview
Gartner is an American research and advisory company focused on business, information technology, and emerging technologies. It serves enterprises, government agencies, technology vendors, investment firms, and other institutions that need structured analysis for technology purchasing, strategy, operations, and organizational decision-making. The company is best known for its research methodologies and branded analytical frameworks, particularly the Magic Quadrant, Hype Cycle, and market forecasts. The company was founded in 1979 by Gideon Gartner and David Stein to provide research and analysis for organizations buying and selling computer hardware. Its early work concentrated heavily on IBM and the surrounding information-technology market. Gartner initially distributed concise research documents and high-level assessments, but it gradually developed a broader subscription research model supported by analysts, data products, advisory relationships, consulting engagements, and industry events. Gartner’s principal operating activities are research, conferences, and consulting. Research services provide access to analyst reports, benchmarks, forecasts, peer insights, inquiry services, and decision-support tools. Consulting engagements apply the company’s research and specialist expertise to technology strategy, sourcing, cybersecurity, digital transformation, data and analytics, enterprise architecture, organizational design, and related management issues. Conferences and other events create forums for executives, technology providers, analysts, and practitioners to exchange information and evaluate market developments. The Magic Quadrant is Gartner’s most recognizable analytical format. It places technology providers in a two-axis framework based broadly on their ability to execute and completeness of vision within a defined market. The Hype Cycle presents a model for discussing the development, visibility, maturity, and adoption of emerging technologies. Gartner also publishes technology and IT-spending forecasts, market guides, critical capabilities assessments, benchmarks, and other forms of proprietary research. These products influence vendor positioning, procurement shortlists, strategic planning, and investor and media discussions, although Gartner’s assessments are not substitutes for independent due diligence. Gartner expanded through acquisitions and investments across technology research, supply-chain analysis, software discovery, peer reviews, marketing intelligence, and management consulting. Notable transactions included Dataquest, AMR Research, Software Advice, Nubera and its GetApp-related properties, Capterra, SCM World, CEB, and L2. These acquisitions broadened its coverage and commercial offerings, though the company also acknowledged integration challenges during its diversification period in the 1990s and early 2000s. The company has been publicly traded for much of its history, with periods of private ownership and later relistings. It is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker IT and is included in the S&P 500. As of the reference material’s December 2025 description, Gartner had more than 20,000 employees and operations in 90 countries and territories. Gene A. Hall serves as chief executive officer. Gartner remains an active global information-services brand whose commercial identity is built around authoritative, subscription-based research and executive decision support.
History
Gartner was established in 1979 by Gideon Gartner and David Stein as a specialist provider of information-technology research. Its early business addressed the needs of organizations purchasing computer hardware and of vendors competing in the market, with particular attention to IBM and its products. During the early 1980s, Gartner analysts developed the visual approach that became the Magic Quadrant, using comparative market positioning to communicate assessments of technology suppliers. By 1983, the company reportedly had 80 research analysts and $8 million in revenue. In 1985, Gartner’s brokerage and investment operation was separated into a wholly owned subsidiary called Gartner Securities. It was later renamed SoundView Financial Group and ultimately became associated with SoundView Technology Group. In July 1986, the main company adopted the Gartner Group name and returned to public trading. It acquired Cupertino-based technology research firm Infocorp in 1987; that year it reported $25 million in sales and $1.9 million in earnings. Saatchi & Saatchi acquired Gartner Group in 1988. Gartner was taken private in 1990 by Gideon Gartner and other executives in a transaction backed by Bain Capital and Dun & Bradstreet. Under private ownership, the company emphasized IT pricing information and improved reported profit margins. Dun & Bradstreet acquired a majority interest in 1993, and Gartner went public again in October of that year while Dun & Bradstreet retained a substantial stake. During the 1990s, Gartner pursued an expansion strategy involving roughly 30 acquisitions or significant investments. These included the research firm Dataquest and the online technology publication TechRepublic. The company’s diversification coincided with the dot-com boom, but integration proved difficult in some cases; TechRepublic was sold to CNET approximately a year after Gartner acquired it. In 1995, Gartner introduced the Hype Cycle, a framework for describing how emerging technologies move from initial visibility and exaggerated expectations toward more measured adoption. Gartner continued to broaden its research and advisory footprint in the 2000s. Gene A. Hall became chief executive in August 2004, succeeding Michael D. Fleisher. In 2008, Gartner reported $1.3 billion in revenue and claimed approximately 40 percent of the IT research market. The 2009 acquisition of AMR Research added strength in supply-chain management and enterprise operations. Gartner also expanded through acquisitions of competitors and adjacent research businesses, including META Group and the Burton Group. The company’s later strategy combined core analyst research with software-discovery, peer-review, benchmarking, consulting, and management-advisory assets. In 2014, Gartner acquired Software Advice and promoted the concept of Digital BizOps. In 2015, it acquired Nubera, whose properties included GetApp and other software-discovery sites, and separately acquired Capterra. SCM World was acquired in 2016. Gartner completed its acquisition of CEB in 2017 for approximately $2.6 billion including debt, adding consulting and management expertise, and later acquired L2 to strengthen digital marketing benchmarking. In 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced a settlement concerning alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act related to Gartner’s dealings with a South African company connected to the government. Gartner agreed to pay $2,456,764, and the SEC acknowledged the company’s cooperation. In 2026, G2 announced an agreement to acquire Capterra, Software Advice, and GetApp from Gartner for an undisclosed amount. Gartner’s continuing core identity is a global subscription research, consulting, advisory, and conference business serving technology and business leaders.
- 2026
G2 transaction for software marketplaces
[1]G2 announces an agreement to acquire Capterra, Software Advice, and GetApp from Gartner.
- 2023
FCPA settlement
[2]Gartner resolves SEC allegations concerning Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations and agrees to pay $2,456,764.
- 2017
CEB acquisition
[1]Gartner acquires CEB in a transaction valued at approximately $2.6 billion including debt.
- 2009
AMR Research acquisition
[1]Gartner acquires AMR Research and expands its supply-chain and operations coverage.
- 2004
Gene Hall becomes CEO
[1]Gene A. Hall succeeds Michael D. Fleisher as chief executive.
- 1995
Hype Cycle introduced
[1]Gartner introduces its Hype Cycle framework for discussing the development and adoption of emerging technologies.
- 1993
Return to public markets
[1]Gartner goes public again, with Dun & Bradstreet retaining a major stake.
- 1990
Gartner is taken private
[1]Gideon Gartner and other executives take the company private with backing from Bain Capital and Dun & Bradstreet.
- 1988
Saatchi & Saatchi acquisition
[1]Saatchi & Saatchi acquires Gartner Group.
- 1986
Public-company rebrand
[1]The company adopts the Gartner Group name and becomes publicly traded.
Products and positioning
Independent, premium, research-led, and executive-oriented technology intelligence and advisory services.
Market analysis · 1980
Magic Quadrant
The Magic Quadrant is Gartner’s comparative framework for evaluating technology providers within a defined market. It positions vendors according to dimensions commonly described as ability to execute and completeness of vision. Organizations use the format to structure market scans and procurement discussions, while vendors often treat placement as an important component of market visibility. A Magic Quadrant is an analyst assessment for a particular market and publication period, not a universal ranking of a company’s entire business.
Emerging-technology research · 1995
Hype Cycle
The Hype Cycle is a Gartner framework for explaining the changing expectations and adoption patterns surrounding emerging technologies. It describes a progression from early innovation and heightened publicity through disillusionment, experimentation, and more practical productivity. The framework is used in research, executive briefings, and technology-planning discussions to distinguish media attention from organizational maturity.
Economic and technology forecasting
IT spending forecasts
Gartner’s IT spending forecasts estimate technology expenditure trends across categories, regions, and industries. They are used by technology leaders, vendors, analysts, and investors to frame budgeting and market-opportunity decisions. Forecasts are periodically revised as economic conditions, exchange rates, technology adoption, and enterprise priorities change.
Consulting
Gartner Consulting
Gartner’s consulting business applies its research base and specialist expertise to client-specific issues. Engagements can address technology strategy, operating models, sourcing, cybersecurity, digital transformation, data and analytics, enterprise architecture, and organizational change. Consulting complements the company’s subscription research and advisory services by providing tailored analysis and implementation-oriented support.
Events
Gartner Conferences
Gartner conferences and executive events bring together technology leaders, business executives, analysts, practitioners, and solution providers. They combine keynote presentations, analyst sessions, peer discussions, workshops, and vendor meetings. The events extend Gartner’s research brand into an in-person and community-oriented format while providing a commercial channel distinct from reports and consulting.
Controversies
2023
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act settlement
The SEC alleged that Gartner had a corrupt relationship with a South African company connected to the government from approximately December 2014 through August 2015, in circumstances Gartner allegedly knew could result in official bribery. Gartner agreed to pay $2,456,764 and the SEC ordered it to cease violating the FCPA. The regulator also noted Gartner’s openness and cooperation.
Brand decisions
2026
Sell software marketplace properties to G2M&ABackground
Gartner agreed to divest several software-discovery and review properties that had been assembled through earlier acquisitions.
Action taken
G2 announced an agreement to acquire Capterra, Software Advice, and GetApp from Gartner.
Aftermath
The announced transaction would transfer the properties to G2; financial terms were not disclosed.
2017
Acquire CEBM&ABackground
Gartner aimed to add management, talent, and operations advisory capabilities to its technology research and consulting platform.
Action taken
It acquired CEB in a transaction valued at approximately $2.6 billion, including $700 million of CEB debt.
Aftermath
The deal expanded Gartner’s consulting and executive-advisory capabilities.
Transaction value including assumed debt. $2.6 billion (2017)
2014
Expand into software discovery and digital operationsStrategyBackground
Gartner was extending its traditional analyst-research model into buyer-oriented software information and digital business operations.
Action taken
It acquired Software Advice and developed the Digital BizOps concept.
Aftermath
The move increased Gartner’s presence in software selection and digital-business discussions.
2009
Acquire AMR ResearchM&ABackground
Gartner sought to strengthen its research and advisory position in supply-chain management and enterprise operations.
Action taken
It acquired AMR Research, a Boston-based research and advisory firm.
Aftermath
The transaction broadened Gartner’s global research coverage and supply-chain offerings.
Recent events
Gartner reports third-quarter results[4]
Reported:
Gartner reported third-quarter results that beat expectations.
Gartner raises 2021 financial guidance[5]
Reported:
Gartner announced an updated 2021 financial outlook, raising its minimum adjusted EPS guidance to $8.54 from $7.60 and its minimum revenue guidance to $4.66 billion from $4.57 billion.
Conga ranked among top seven vendors in Gartner CPQ report[6]
Reported:
Conga announced that Gartner ranked it among the top seven vendors in the 2021 Critical Capabilities for Configure, Price and Quote Application Suites report, across six identified use cases.
- Unconfirmed
Queensland Rail campaign wins Gartner Communications Award[7]
Queensland Rail's High Voltage Can Jump campaign won the Gartner Communications Award in the Small Idea, Big Impact category.
Lumen named a leader in Gartner's Global Network Services Magic Quadrant[8]
Reported:
Lumen Technologies was named a leader in Gartner's 2021 Magic Quadrant for Global Network Services.
Red Sea Development Company awards technology advisory contract to Gartner[9]
Reported:
The Red Sea Development Company awarded Gartner a contract to provide technology procurement advisory services, including support with sourcing technology partners in smart destination development, IT and cybersecurity.
树根互联 and Gartner jointly publish an IIoT report[10]
树根互联 and Gartner jointly published a report on industrial internet of things platforms and digital-transformation paths for manufacturers.
Kissflow becomes a premier sponsor of Gartner Digital Workplace Summit 2020[11]
Reported:
Kissflow announced that it was a premier sponsor of the Gartner Digital Workplace Summit 2020, scheduled to begin on March 16. The announcement also said Kissflow would showcase its Digital Workplace platform at the summit.
CoreStack recognized in Gartner's 2020 Cloud Management Platforms Magic Quadrant research[12]
Reported:
CoreStack announced that it had received recognition in Gartner's 2020 Cloud Management Platforms Magic Quadrant research, with its CEO describing it as an honorable mention.
Informatica ranked as a leader in Gartner's 2020 Master Data Management Solutions Magic Quadrant[13]
Informatica announced that it was positioned as a Leader in Gartner's 2020 Master Data Management Solutions Magic Quadrant report.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Sources14 sources
- 1Gartneren.wikipedia.org
- 2SEC Announces FCPA Settlement with Gartnersec.gov
- 3Gartner Investor Relationsinvestor.gartner.com
- 4Gartner公布第三季度业绩cnbc.com
- 5Gartner上调2021年财务指引finanznachrichten.de
- 6Conga 在 Gartner CPQ 报告中跻身前七名供应商finanznachrichten.de
- 7昆士兰铁路宣传活动获得 Gartner 传播奖miragenews.com
- 8Lumen获评Gartner全球网络服务魔力象限领导者prnasia.com
- 9红海开发公司将技术咨询合同授予 Gartnerbreakingtravelnews.com
- 10树根互联与Gartner联合发布工业互联网报告news.e-works.net.cn
- 11Kissflow成为2020年Gartner Digital Workplace Summit的首要赞助商openpr.com
- 12CoreStack获Gartner 2020年云管理平台魔力象限研究认可prweb.com
- 13Informatica入选Gartner 2020年主数据管理解决方案魔力象限领导者chinaz.com
- 14华为数据中心网络获Gartner“客户之选”称号finance.sina.com.cn
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