IDC Qualified Performance Indicator

IDC's Server Decision Suite provides IT buyers and sellers with a common set of metrics to support a myriad of decisions made regarding data center performance, power consumption, density and cost. Of all the metrics, performance is the most difficult to measure when comparing servers of different ages, architectures and brands. Therefore, IDC has added a performance measure to its Server Decision Suite, called the IDC Qualified Performance Indicator (QPI).

IDC's QPI has been developed to support the evolving needs of the server ecosystem - from the IT vendor, through channel partners, to the IT buyer. QPI metrics can be used by your organization to make more informed decisions while saving time and money in the process.

Server Decision Suite Metrics

IDC provides a common measure to four key attributes of a server system. We provide values on over 20,000 individual server configurations spanning 15 years to support system sizing and buying decisions.

• Performance ( QPI ) - Scoring is based on an in depth methodology that combines published benchmark results with a study of processor and server architecture

• Power - More than nameplate ratings, we derive measured power and heat ratings by specific configuration using vendor power sizing tools

• Price - Detailed new system pricing, including list, street and cost, plus fair market value pricing for older systems

• Density - Cubic inch and rack unit measures for each configuration

QPI takes available industry benchmarks, plus performance characteristics supplied by system and processor vendors to compute a "unified" performance score for every branded system configuration installed or sold over the past 15 years.