Top five Stategic Technologies for 2008
| posted by Outervillage OutervillageWhat do you see as the top five IT trends for 2008?
I'm trying to compile a list of technology trends that will sustain the IT world for the next 1-3 years.
Here is my top 5 list:
1) Distributed or "Grid" computing
Grid computing has been around for a while, but I see it picking up
to a critical mass this year. Applications are being developed to run
in this type of environment from the ground up. Some vendors that
should benefit from this movement: Platform LSF, Sun GridEngine, and
UnivaUD. They develop software that manages the "grid" environment.
In short Grid computing allows for the distribution of compute jobs
to members of the grid based on policies or procedures defined by
administrator(s). It allows for more efficient use of resources and the
ability to chop up data components so they can run in parallel.
2) Enhanced web platforms that deliver applications reducing the need for stand-alone OS's.
I see the need for a stand alone Operating system to go the way of
the dodo bird. OS's require large amounts of overhead and the sheer
number and types of different OS's makes them difficult to administer.
With the advancement of web technologies and "Software as a Service"
infrastructures being put in place watch for companies to offload some
of the OS specific tasks like spreadsheets and documents to web based
front ends that can be easily shared, searched, and collaborated on
across the enterprise.
3) Power friendly data centers
Green is in this year. I see CPU and hardware moving away from
trying to compete for speed but rather compete on energy efficiency. As
we see the prevalence of grids increase the need for high speed CPUs
will actually decrease. It is more efficient to run grids with the
lower energy components rather than large energy hungry components that
produce large amounts of heat and require tons of cooling.
4) Mobile applications
A shift to increase mobile applications will go into full gear in
2008. You'll no longer need a company laptop to stay connected.
Everything will be done from your phone. You'll see phones that can not
only access email, but also company databases and direct connection to
company servers. System's administrators will be able to administer all
servers through a phone terminal on their iPhone. Other applications
like GPS, and online mobile advertising will be enhanced and more
prevalent.
5) Consolidation of social networking sites
Over the last few years we've seen an explosion in online social
networking sites like myspace, facebook, linkedin to name a few. There
will be some consolidation in this space allowing companies to tap into
a broader community and introduce new technology that will further fuel
this trend.
______________________
Vassilios
Co-Founder
OuterVillage.com
http://www.outervillage.com
