A Gartner Magic Quadrant positions selected technology providers in a defined market on two dimensions: Ability to Execute and Completeness of Vision. The four quadrants are Leaders, Challengers, Visionaries and Niche Players, and the chart represents Gartner analysts' assessment at the time of publication.
Businesses sometimes consult a Magic Quadrant when shortlisting software, infrastructure or security vendors. A vendor placed in the Leaders quadrant may offer a mature product and a strong strategy, but a Challenger or Niche Player may suit a particular buyer's requirements better.
Inclusion is selective. A vendor left off a chart is not necessarily weak, and movement between editions can reflect changes in the market definition or methodology as well as changes in a provider. It is an analyst research product, not a standardized independent product test.
Use it as one input. Compare the evaluation criteria with your own workflows, check the edition's date, and conduct product trials, reference calls and total-cost comparisons before buying.