2007 ended with technology in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, thanks to the much publicised ‘lost’ data scandals in the UK. As if IT leaders were not already under enough pressure, all things information-related will be high on every chief executive’s agenda in 2008.
Green computing: We might be fed up with hearing about it, but the environment will become an even more important consideration in 2008. Last year saw awareness growing, but early adopters found there is little best practice available and few standard ways to measure or benchmark green IT performance. Vendors are increasingly labouring their green credentials but, as ever, buyers should approach with caution.
Economic confidence: Despite optimistic statements from the big players, the US sub-prime mortgage crisis began to bite on the IT sector late last year as financial services companies became more cautious about investment. Entering 2008 with business confidence shaken by the credit crunch, history suggests the vulnerability of technology spending. IT contractors also face tough times as
clients tend toward to reduced staff costs, and nervous chief executives could also look offshore to mitigate risks.
Privacy: This will be high on the agenda as society starts to feel the full implications of the information age. Security has always been a significant issue, but the data protection issues recently have highlighted a need for public debate on the broadest terms. Technical concerns such as database security and identity management have become national, political issues and the IT literate must take the lead, so that technophobes do not slow progress more than is absolutely necessary.
The role of the CIO: The skills of a successful chief information officer (CIO) have been evolving for some time, but 2007 saw evidence of a significant change in expectations in the UK at least. For example, Boots and House of Fraser scrapped the CIO position altogether, in favour of a structure where board responsibility for IT goes to the finance director.
Bye-bye Bill: July will mark a milestone in IT history as Bill Gates steps down from his day-to-day work at Microsoft. The world’s richest man is to focus on his role as the world’s greatest philanthropist, and he leaves behind an unparalleled legacy. Not much will change immediately without Gates at the helm, but the day he walks out of his Redmond office will be a landmark in the history of computing.
The company he founded now faces a major challenge as firms question the need for highly-specified, power-hungry, often-unsecure desktop PCs.
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