This IDC study examines the size of the overall performance and availability management software market in 2005 and each of the two constituent markets: performance management software and event automation tools. Market shares are provided for leading vendors in 2005, with trends from 2003 to 2005. Overall market sizes in 2005 are presented by each of four geographic regions and for nine major operating environments.

According to Tim Grieser, IDC vice president for Enterprise Systems Management Software research, "2005 showed mid-single-digit growth in this market. Value propositions such as cost savings, efficient use of resources, and maintaining service levels for end users continue to be motivating factors for IT investments, and continued near-term growth stimulated IT spending in this market as well."