- Multicore and hybrid processors
- Virtualisation and fabric computing
- Social networks and social software
- Cloud computing and cloud/Web platforms
- Web mashups
- User Interface
- Ubiquitous computing
- Contextual computing
- Augmented reality
- Semantics
We're already trying to figure out how to deal with some of this stuff. Disruptive? Yes. Scary? Definitely. How does a CIO (or IT manager) deal with, embrace or hold off new technologies?
Virtualization is a great example. In our data centers we face the same problems most I.T. shops do: not enough power or cooling. Answer? Virtualization! We're virtualizing servers with technology built into IBM's AIX platform and also with VMWare.
The plus is that it's easier to get servers stood up, each server is cheaper and the utilization is much higher overall. This saves on both power and cooling which is the original problem. The downside is that servers are so easy to requisition that they proliferate like wildfire. Without strong change management processes it can get crazy. And the management tools for virtualized servers aren't mature enough yet. It's clear we're getting value out of virtualization, but is it worth the challenges it presents? I think so; I wish I were more sure.
Web mashups are another interesting one. Users are hurling their data out from the corporate firewall onto the Internet and using various web mashups to create interesting new apps. It's great for the end-user! But the I.T. professional is having fits with security, code management, etc.
All of these new technologies bring both promise and pain. The job of the CIO and the I.T. professional is to understand them and help our business partners see the potential and recognize the risks.
What a fun time to be in information technology!
Please keep in mind that futurists who write articles about disruptive technologies are usually a year or two behind. :)
ReplyDeleteI think it was either Cuban or Cringely who recently had a great blog about Gartner's relevance in the next 5 years...
What's the line about a bandwagon? By the time you see it coming, it's already full?
Multi-core processors & GPU utilization for generic processing is really fascinating stuff. The language constructs behind this are very interesting as well. Here's a link re: a standardization effort that is just getting underway:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.khronos.org/news/press/releases/khronos_launches_heterogeneous_computing_initiative/
"How does a CIO (or IT manager) deal with, embrace or hold off new technologies?"
ReplyDeleteI think that the best way for CIO's and IT managers to deal with the new technologies is to have a default policy of embracing them. Taking a wait-and-see approach prevents you from being able to participate in how they end up getting used. If the default is to embrace the new technology then you are ahead of the curve in finding ways to integrate and use them appropriately for your organization.
Holding them off is hard, but molding their use within the organization is easier if you are at the forefront of using them.
I am a bit suprised that mobile computing didnt make the list.
ReplyDeleteSteven. Yeah, it's a little weird. I think they're wrapping that up in ubiquitous computing, user interface and social networks, but it probably deserves its own spot.
ReplyDeleteKay. Good point. We're facing many of these issues right now. It's frightening to think of what's sneaking up on us!
Hi Joe,
ReplyDeleteI´m a TSR from Brazil Area. We were invited by you to participate on your blog once, so, here I am.
I am concerned in how apply any of these technologies to the organizations and take real advantage of them. At least those ones promised by their creators. Some like virtualization can bring results but have to be monitored as you pointed.
Sometimes many things are implemented but don´t bring real results or the results are consumed by problems after implementation. These are the risks but in many cases the resources go first.
I must take some issue, although little, with David's comment. As an IT Director in public education and left with meager budgets I've learned the wisdom in being prudent. We all want to keep up with the leading edge, but being on the bleeding edge can be not only expensive but hard to support. Without proper technical support and rapidly changing technologies, sometimes you run the risk of investing in technologies not only hard to support but those that quickly go out of style again.
ReplyDeleteWith that in mind there must be good change practices in place that allow change to flow, but also be kept in line with organizational direction and policies.