Trends & Metrics

Vendors Jump on Web 2.0 Bandwagon

Sun, 03 Jun 2007 20:01:39 -0400

Vendors are responding to the new Web 2.0 trends of blogging, instant messaging and wikis with many new technologies and products that can track and control corporate communication. Companies are introducing passive monitoring type products, including technologies that can warn employees if they are about to violate a corporate rule by using profanity or sending confidential documents. Others block employees from saving content to portable devices like a USB thumbdrive or censor offensive pictures or videos sent via email or IM. "Passive monitoring is the place to start but not the place to end," Michael Rothschild, senior director of product marketing for Orchestria, told ComputerWorld. "It's like having border control that only tells you after the fact if a terrorist has gotten in."

For more on Web 2.0 monitoring:
- see this ComputerWorld article

The next generation of IT

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 19:01:38 -0500

The next generation of IT will be much more flexible and scalable than today's technology, focused more on serving the business side of the enterprise. It's the only way to remain competitive going forward, especially with the growing push for IT organizations to add value and the reality of the mobile and decentralized workforce. Recognizing these challenges is the first step toward change. One possible change is having some of your applications and systems hosted by an outside entity or virtualizing your environment as much as possible in-house. The increase in mobile and remote office staff is one argument in favor of software-as-a-service, which makes it easier and cheaper to deliver business support wherever your users happen to be. To do that, companies will consider services like Salesforce, NetSuite, Webex and CrowPeak, which simplify the enterprise IT landscape.

Learn more about the IT landscape of tomorrow:
- read the article at BPM Today

Good help will cost good money

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 19:01:39 -0500

If you're looking for good IT talent this year, you'll have to pay more for it than ever before. According to a survey conducted by Dice.com, average IT salaries grew 5.2 percent last year and starting salaries for IT professionals increased more than 13 percent. And the trend is showing no signs of abating. The culprit? Lots of pent-up demand and new technology--like Microsoft Vista--driving the demand for more IT personnel.

Read more about the cost of good IT staff:
- read the article at TechNewsWorld
- read more at the New York Times

Bringing virtual reality into the enterprise

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 19:01:37 -0500

Think of virtual reality and you likely picture some science fiction scenario. The reality, however, is that businesses are running toward virtual reality technology with open arms, as it's proving to be a cost-effective way to get a good view of processes and operations. Outsourcing providers are cropping up to meet the new demand, promising to deliver the goods cheaper and faster than in-house deployment. The main reason virtual reality technology is gaining traction is that lower-cost computing has put it within many companies' reach.

For more on the move to virtual reality:
- check out the article at CIO Today

What Gates is buzzing about

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 19:01:36 -0500

With just about a year and half left to go in his role as CEO, Microsoft's head honcho Bill Gates is still excited about what his company is planning to develop. At the CES show in Vegas this week, Gates outlined a new product direction using the Web as a delivery channel, as well as the continuing evolution of the set-top box alternative and Microsoft's aim to delve deeper into the gaming revolution. He also hints that his company could make further forays into hardware products and is clearly proud of the impact Microsoft has had on non-PC device making.

For more on Gates' insight:
- read the Q&A at InfoWorld

The 7 trends to watch in 2007

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 19:01:35 -0500

It's of little surprise that data retention and knowledge management will be areas of primary focus for the next few years, given how valuable data is in the enterprise. A big part of that, according to industry experts, making sure critical employee and staff knowledge is retained given the impending baby boomer retirement wave. In addition, business agility, electronic record keeping and knocking down IT silos are also big priorities for the new year. On the tech side of things, companies will be looking to revamp architectures (think SOA) and bring on tools that boost collaboration.

For more on the top trends to keep an eye on:
- read the story at Network Computing

The foreign flavor of today's startups

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 19:01:38 -0500

A new wave of tech entrepreneurship is taking hold in Silicon Valley and it boasts a characteristic that wasn't part of the initial dot com revolution. According to a new report from Duke University, about 25 percent of today's startups are the brainchild of a foreign-born tech innovator. This new statistic certainly puts a new spin on the ongoing discussion regarding long-term Visas.

For more about the startup tech trend:
- check out the article at the Seattle Times

Recalling what went wrong in 2006

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 19:01:39 -0500

A look back at IT in 2006 yields both laughter and tears, achievements and failures and an in-depth perspective on where things are headed. One of the most interesting, and entertaining, aspects of reviewing this past year is taking a look at the missteps that were made. The arrival of Vista is a prime example of how technology can be delayed and then, upon arrival, be tarnished immediately by security issues. Then there's the corporate scandals such as Sony's rootkit fiasco and HP's use of illegal technology to spy on board members. Oh, and laptop batteries came under fire, literally. There's almost too many boo-boos to list.

Get a closer look back at what went wrong in 2006:
- read the article at PCWorld

A prosperous year ahead for IT professionals

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 19:01:38 -0500

Judging from the last six months, next year is clearly set to be a good year for IT professionals, whether looking for a new job, a raise or even a new career path. All the indicators are positive--even recruiters are eagerly looking forward to 2007. The workforce outlook hasn't been this positive since 2001 and experts point to the hundreds of thousands of new jobs, the expanding demand on IT to push business forward and the demand for more project leaders. Even the growth of outsourcing and expansion of the hotly-contested H1B-visa issue isn't likely to slow down tech prosperity.

For more on the workforce outlook in 2007:
- read this feature at eWeek

Where CIOs have been and where IT is headed

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 19:01:37 -0500

The best insight on what's really taking place with technology and IT innovation comes from tech leaders themselves, and this year's CIO surveys from CIO Insight hit on topics ranging from security to strategy to risk and new technologies. While interesting on an individual basis, together the surveys provide an in-depth picture of where enterprises are headed, the common issues tech leaders face and how the wall between business and IT is finally coming down, brick by brick. Take a look back at what took place, and get a vision of what's to come, on 30 specific trend tracks next year.

For more on what CIOs expect in 2007:
- read the survey roundup at CIO Insight