Gartner has identified its top technologies for next year. Larry Dignan explains the rationale behind those choices and shares his thoughts on their viability and impact.
Gartner on Tuesday outlined the 10 technologies it thinks will give technology execs the most bang for their budgets in 2011. How many of these technologies will be a true hit?
Carl Claunch, an analyst at Gartner, said at the research firm’s Symposium conference in Orlando that things like sustainability, data center overhauls, and virtualization were dropped. Here’s Gartner’s 2011 list, why those technologies were chosen, and a few observations.
Note: This article originally appeared as an entry in ZDNet’s Between the Lines blog. It’s also available as a PDF download.
1: Cloud computing
This group of technologies has been on the top 10 lists for a few years. Now everything as a service will alter business models and IT procurement. Gartner analyst David Cearley said what has changed is that there are multiple services. Companies will probably need cloud computing brokers. Things to watch:
Where does the public cloud fit? IT is generally scared of the public cloud, but select workloads are fine.
Beware cloud washing. IT execs are comfortable with the vendors cloud washing but may not get real capability.
Limit access to specific clouds based on community and groups. That approach would minimize security risks. Gartner has exclusive clouds and community clouds as services to watch.
Private clouds are custom and packaged.
My impression: A safe pick for sure, but the cloud is getting more granular as it matures. Think cloud washing magnified.
2: Mobile apps and media tablets
Tablets and touch aren’t new. Claunch said that the selection of applications changes the game for businesses. “Apple has leveraged the ecosystem of the iPhone,” Claunch said. “And Apple has created consistency.” In addition, Apple’s iPad is the poster child for how consumerization is affecting corporate IT. Things to think about for enterprise IT:
Enterprise apps will need to be designed for the tablet.
Delivering these apps gets complicated due to the selection of platforms.
Context-aware computing can connect to customers better.
Marketing will drive a lot of projects to utilize tablets, but these devices can be used for inspections, surveys, image capture, documentation, and training.
Cearley added, “The PC era is over. Think of mobile design points.”
My impression: It’s stunning how many iPads are in this crowd of 7,000-plus IT execs and managers. Another thread: Almost all of these IT execs are carrying PCs not Macs. Typically, CIOs and the like are the last to get on board an early adoption curve for a new device. There’s a frenzy over tablets.
To Be Continued .....
