Q: What do you do as an independent researcher?
A: I specialise in producing counter-opinions. Many researchers say they are objective, but I disagree. So, when I see their reports, I will put out a completely opposite, or counter opinion.
To arrive to the truth, you have to look at the analyst’s research method. I will go out to the field to meet and talk to customers and do lab testing in the customer and vendor environment. My opinions are based on solid research, and that’s where I get the truth.

Q: What’s your philosophy as an independent researcher?
A: My first philosophy is to have fun and enjoy what you’re doing. Second is learning, and third is to correct the wrong.
I can be wrong, too, and welcome others to correct me. That way, you will get balanced research in the market. Instead of one report, you’ll get two or more, which you can compare.

Q: Some researchers hired by vendors produce results that are biased towards their clients. What’s your take on this?
A: That’s exactly why I exist. For example, one research company may have a very positive paper on HP’s virtual IOS (input/output system). But when I did the same research on IBM, what I found was that the company does it across systems, storage and network while HP only focuses on its blade servers and systems. So, I would write that what research company A says is true, but what IBM did is better because it goes across the data centre.
I will run tests side by side. This way, people and companies get the whole picture of what is happening.

Q: How have people in the industry responded to your type of research?
A: They like it as they get a balanced view. But competing research analyst firms don’t like it at all, of course. That’s the reality of things. I’m happy because at the end of the day, I want users to make well-informed decisions.