Based on soon to be published research generated from VDC's 2011 Data Acquisition Solutions Market Intelligence Program in which VDC surveyed almost 600 end users, OEMs and other stakeholders involved in using, purchasing and/or specifying data acquisition solutions (i.e. data loggers, paperless recorders, Compact PCI plug-in analog I/O boards, etc) accuracy remained the #1 most often cited hardware product selection criteria (rated #1 in 2008 VDC Research). VDC asked survey respondents to select their top 5 most important factors (out of 24) they considered before investing in a data acquisition solutions.
However the remaining top 10 product factors respondents selected varied by hardware platform such as external chassis & modules vs. plug-in analog I/O boards. In fact, the top 10 technical requirement selections even varied among respondents of the eight different vertical markets under study as users in different market segments possess some unique requirements and/or perspectives on what is deemed most important to them.
VDC provided new analysis in the 2011 research asking software respondents to rate their top 5 most important factors when considering their product selection. Among software respondents the most important factor was the compatibility with their operating system. Accuracy was rated the 3rd most important factor and was preceded by ease of use. Users may associate accuracy as being an issue more relevant to hardware and thus place less emphasis upon it when considering data acquisition software.
VDC also asked respondents to rate their top 5 most important commercial requirements (out of 16) they wanted to see provided from suppliers of the data acquisition solutions from which they are considering purchasing. That information and some of its ramifications are saved for a blog on another day.
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