2008/11/26
Baseline: Top 10 Trends in IT for 2009
by Samuel Greengard
In 2009, these technologies can provide companies with a competitive advantage in what is expected to be a very tough year on the bottom lines of IT budgets, IT management and IT vendors. However, even in an economic downturn those companies that invest, develop and capitalize on technologies that save money while improving the efficiency and effectiveness of business have an opportunity to grab significant market and mind share with new and existing customers.
Running a business and overseeing IT is a tough task in the best of times. But in today's environment—with consumer and business spending shrinking, budgets declining, the stock market sinking, and the pressure to adopt new tools and technologies growing—many organizations are finding themselves stretched to the limit.
As 2009 unfolds, it's clear that enterprises with a forward-thinking approach and a solid grasp of technology trends will have a distinct competitive advantage. The following technologies are likely to shape IT and business organizations in the coming year, and they can give your company the tools it needs to do business in this challenging economic environment.
TotalCio: IT turkeys: Technology issues that we don't give thanks for
by Rachel Lebeaux
The holidays are almost upon us, starting with Thanksgiving, the day we Americans reflect on the things we are thankful for in the past year. But what about things we aren't thankful for? What about things we could have done without because, to be honest, they didn't measure up to our expectations? What about - dare we say it? - the real turkeys we've encountered over the past year?
The following are 10 IT turkeys from 2008, culled from SearchCIO.com. Feel free to chime in with your own!
- CIOs kowtow to Wall Street, not users, study finds — Yeah, and look how well that whole bowing-down-to-Wall Street thing has gone for our country. I supported the bailout package, but I do have serious qualms about giving money to people who were apparently so far removed from Main Street. CIOs, don't be sucked into the same cycle - first and foremost, cater to your users.
- Resume right or wrong? Readers react - Having a poorly constructed resume — especially in this job market — is a major turkey move. Don't miss out on job opportunities that could have been yours because you didn't put enough time into your resume. This story offers feedback from recruiters, consultants and former IT execs.
- CIOs must say no to generic IT - While a lot of IT folks understandably want to play it safe right now, generic IT continues to be a big turkey. Companies can use IT to create differences that make them stand out in the marketplace and to customers in tough economic times, but only if they're willing to take some risks in order to reap the rewards.
- Indian offshoring firms raise rates; costs often hidden - For a while, and in spite of inflationary pressure, Indian providers kept rates in line, knowing that cost remains the chief draw for going offshore. But that's been changing, according to this piece. Hidden outsourcing costs? Definitely not something to be thankful for.
- PCI DSS compliance requirement looms but lacks punch, critics charge - Being lax about compliance can certainly dampen one's holiday cheer - just ask Hannaford Bros., which saw a very public (and very embarrassing) data breach this year.
- Forrester: 10 mistakes that will sink a strategic plan — A good IT strategic plan addresses real needs that stakeholders can see and understand. Failure to thoroughly think through your strategic plan is a big turkey move, and one a CIO can't afford to take.
- Outsourcing deals no good if contract is weak - A lot of companies have looked overseas to save labor costs, but you won't be thankful for the savings if your poorly constructed contract lands you in unanticipated legal or financial troubles.
- Angelina Jolie-inspired spam campaign signals disturbing network threats - Let's be frank: Spam (the email variety) is never in vogue with 99% of the emailing population (I made up that stat, please don't ask me to cite it). However, I hear Spam (the meat product) is making a comeback in these economic times - anybody planning a Spam turkey this Christmas?
- CIOs must learn to brand themselves despite stereotypes - Stereotyping is never really an acceptable workplace practice, so I'm bestowing turkey titles upon both those CIOs who don't properly brand themselves in the workplace, and those who would look to stereotype them in the first place.
- IT and the recession: Focus on business strategy, smaller projects - The recession - duh. It's probably the biggest turkey of them all right now. Hopefully, this is one turkey we won't be talking about by next Thanksgiving - but who knows. Here's a roadmap for IT executives looking to ride this downturn out.
Infoworld: Vintage geek gift guide
by David L. Margulius
Got a vintage geek in your life? They don't want an iPhone for the holidays. What they really crave is cutting-edge 1970s technology
In case you haven't noticed, vintage is hot right now. Vinyl records are making a comeback, vintage clothing stores are booming, and midcentury (1950s and '60s) decor is all the rage (see "Mad Men" on TV).
But vintage geek is even hotter than vintage chic. How do I know? I run a site called The Collectors Weekly, which aggregates the best the Web has to offer in more than 500 antique and vintage categories – the best expert advice, the best informational Web sites, and the top eBay auctions.
So here's my top geek gift picks for this holiday season in vintage computers, LED watches, slide rules, and calculators. Each link below will take you to a section on my site listing actual items for sale. But be careful: Vintage geek is highly addictive.
Vintage personal computers
Remember that old Mac SE you had? The PC XT you bought despite the Charlie Chaplin ads? Your TRS "Trash" 80 with optional tape storage and 300-baud modem? Not trash anymore, my friend – they're vintage!While many of the earliest, prototypical computers (such as the original 1965 DEC PDP-8) ended up in the hands of Microsoft billionaires or institutions like the Computer History Museum, there are still plenty of gems floating around garage sales, online auctions, surplus equipment sales, and maybe your friendly neighborhood dumpster.
Keep your eyes open; the secret is knowing how to separate the junk from the treasure. As with many antique and vintage items, displayability is key. With vintage PCs, that means it's in good working condition and has all its accessories. And most important, it looks good in your living room, so you can show it off to your friends.
