2012: 10 Technology Areas to Act on
Experton Group has selected 10 technology areas for 2012 IT organizations need to act upon. While the individual level of implementation will depend on the company’s overall strategy and profile of early or late adopter, those topics still need to be addressed.
1. Traditional Client
Typically WINTEL client installations need to execute the Windows 7 migration in 2012. There are not many reasons why the migration should be postponed. Choosing the right licensing and maintenance strategy is very important. While this is not a strategic technology area it has a big impact on the client and the support cost. Windows 8 will be used selectively and an OS cleanup is strong recommended.
2. New Client Strategy
Parallel to the migration and clean-up in the Windows environment companies are experiencing strong increase in usage of smartphones and tablets. Therefore a Bring your own Device strategy should be evaluated and for a selective group be tested. Too many apps development for smartphones and tablets should be avoided due to the fast changing market, many operating systems, and complexity.
3. Virtualization
After most companies have started with Server virtualization, even though the penetration rate is often below 30%, the next fields are Client and Storage virtualization. Client virtualization is seen as a way to control and manage the BYOD environment while keeping up the security for the enterprise apps. Not many enterprises have started with application virtualization.
4. Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing is strongly pushing into all fields of IT, from enterprise areas such as IaaS or als Storage as a Service to more personal use fields and SaaS applications. The IT organization needs to look at the different technologies throughout the entire stack, review the existing architecture and business requirements and develop an adjusted strategy. Pilots should be started to build experience.
5. Enterprise 2.0
Web 2.0 is moving into the enterprises and some have already taken advantage of it while many others are helpless in addressing this issue. Instead of having static web pages full of information available now suddenly the game has dramatically changed. It is a challenge for most organizations to understand the opportunities and to include or even integrate them into the corporate IT systems.
6. BI/EPM/BPM, Big Data
While this is also looked at from a different view point in the CIO priorities it also needs to be analyzed from a technology standpoint. Most companies have built BI islands without a clear master data definition behind it and have difficulties moving to the next level of integrating those islands into an enterprise performance solution. Big Data has many technology challenges which need to be looked at.
7. Identity Management
Has Identity Management been already on the top priority list for some time so will it be fundamental for the rollout of many Cloud Solutions. Organizations need to build a framework for the Cloud including also Single-Sign-On, Provisioning, Charge Back, and Security. Identity Management is a focal point in the future way of computing as users will access from anywhere to anywhere with any device.
8. ERP, CRM, SCM Future
Most IT organizations have established a solid and stable ERP environment. It runs but it is not agile and even worse, it costs a fortune. Some companies are spending as much as 1% of their total revenue on ERP. This is no longer acceptable and needs to be strongly improved over the next years. The existing ERP solutions are legacy applications and need to be modernized over time.
9. Software as a Service
Part of Cloud Computing but still it is important to look at SaaS from a different perspective. While many IT organizations have an issue with IaaS the user community enjoys the benefits of SaaS. Many solutions, often only needed for a small group, can now be used very quickly and inexpensively. This delivery business value immediately and the digital natives are very used to this style of computing.
10. Consumerization
When Apple introduced the iPod it went out of the traditional computer business. With their focus on the consumer Apple did become the most valuable technology company and is back in the enterprise through the iPhone and iPad. ARM chips, used in smartphones, will deliver better price performance in server and compete with Intel. Google and Amazon are other example of consumerization.