How Elev8 Analysts Interact with Vendors

At Elev8, we are committed to maintaining the independence and objectivity of our insights and have put policies and procedures in place to ensure vendors are treated fairly, regardless of client status. This document clarifies and reinforces Elev8’s longstanding guidance on how Elev8 analysts interact with vendors and the principles that guide those interactions. 

Elev8 engages with vendors in two distinct ways: by evaluating vendors and their offerings as part of its research processes and by providing strategic advice to vendor clients. 

Vendor Evaluations – Elev8 evaluates vendors and their offerings to provide end-user clients with advice for using technology and finding solutions that meet their specific needs. Evaluative content includes Articul8 Hex-Model and Calibr8, as well as other content that evaluates vendor products and services in the market for end-user buyers. As documented in our Methodologies, vendors are included and evaluated based on criteria that reflect end-user needs in that market. Vendors cannot request to be included or omitted from content, and client status does not influence which vendors are, or are not, included in evaluations. 

Information regarding in-progress or upcoming evaluative content, including details about the process, market definitions, or inclusion/evaluation criteria, is shared concurrently with all vendors involved in the research process. Analysts may only discuss the details of in-progress research within the communication channels permitted by the methodology. Vendor Briefings feed the research process and are open to all vendors (clients and non-clients), subject to analyst coverage and interest. 

Strategic Advice – Elev8 provides vendor clients with strategic advice on market trends and go-to-market decisions to help them achieve their business goals. Strategic advice is delivered to clients through client engagements such as Inquiry and Strategic Advisory Services (SAS). Valid topics may include discussing the vendor’s challenges, how its capabilities compare with those of competitors across the market, how they align with end-user buyer needs, how it can compete within a market segment, role-specific guidance on go-to-market strategies, or feedback on the business and sales approaches that are resonating with the market. This is different from a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) assessment deliverable, which Elev8 analysts do not publish or prepare for SAS, Inquiry or other engagements. Strategic Advice is for Elev8 clients only. Client inquiries are confidential; Analysts will never share confidential information learned during the inquiry or provide advice on improving evaluative content. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Vendors 

● Can Elev8 analysts discuss how our company can improve its position in the Hex-Model, other evaluative content or how to be included in future content? 

o No. Elev8 analysts cannot discuss or provide guidance on specific actions that a vendor can take to improve its position or be included in a Magic Quadrant or any other evaluative content. This is to maintain the independence and objectivity of Elev8 insights. 

● Are Elev8’s vendor clients given any advantage in Elev8’s evaluative content due to their client status? 

o No. Client status has no bearing on inclusion or performance in Elev8 content. All vendors included in Elev8 content are treated equally. Evaluative content is driven by end-user needs and rigorous and objective methodologies. 

● As an Elev8 client, may we use inquiry to update the analysts on our strategy, product roadmap and new capabilities? 

o No. Inquiries should not be used for vendor briefings. Inquiry is reserved for advice regarding the vendor’s specific business challenges or strategy. For example, you may share your strategy, roadmap, or capabilities to receive advice on your go-to-market strategy or to flag if something is missing from your roadmap, but the purpose of an inquiry must not be to update the analyst about those capabilities, strategies, or roadmaps. Vendor Briefings are on the record and may be used to update an analyst on your strategy, product roadmap or new capabilities. Vendor Briefings are open to any vendor regardless of client status. 

● As an Elev8 client, may we use inquiry to discuss how our company was scored in the Magic Quadrant or Critical Capabilities? 

o No. Elev8 analysts may not disclose details of proprietary methodologies, specific scores, or details about other vendors. Inquiry is reserved for advice regarding a vendor’s specific business challenges or strategy and will remain confidential. 

● As an Elev8 client, may we use inquiry to discuss the details of in-progress, evaluative content with the MQ analyst? 

o No. Elev8 analysts may only discuss in-progress, evaluative content, including details about the process, market definition, or inclusion/evaluation criteria, with included vendors within the communication channels permitted by the methodology. They cannot discuss topics related to in-progress research beyond these channels, including inquiry or SAS. This ensures all vendors are treated fairly and consistently. 

● As an Elev8 client, may we use inquiry to request feedback on our vendor’s briefing materials? 

o No. Elev8 analysts cannot provide feedback on presentation materials used in a vendor briefing session with an Elev8 analyst, and they may never discuss how a vendor might improve its performance in Elev8 content. As coverage and analyst expertise allow, in inquiry, analysts may provide insights on how a vendor client’s messaging and strategy may resonate with a specific end-user audience. 

● As an Elev8 client, may we schedule an internal or remote SAS (Strategic Advisory Services) engagement during an in-progress MQ? 

o Vendor clients included in an MQ may schedule an Internal or remote SAS engagement with an MQ author or co-author during an in-progress MQ before or after the closed-period window. The closed period window includes the MQ’s publication month and the preceding two months, for a total of three months. To ensure the objectivity and consistency of our research, MQ authors or co-authors may not conduct an internal or remote SAS engagement with a vendor client represented in that Magic Quadrant during the closed period. Client inquiries are not included in the Closed-Period and may be scheduled at any time, subject to analyst availability and in accordance with this guidance.