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January 20, 2009
2009 predictions
Noticed a couple of interesting blog posts in the past few days in on trends for '09.
First is from Vincent McBurney on IT Toolbox, whose top trends for BI in ’09 is a compilation of the 'predictions' from a number of pundits across the industry spectrum. Top on the list is cloud computing (10 of 22 mentions), but a close second (9 out of 22) is reducing expenses -- this second point being entirely consistent with what we are hearing from prospects. He also posits that SOA has 'jumped the shark.'
Have to agree on that last one -- I think we're all a little tired of talking about SOA these days.
Second is from Rick Sherman, on his Data Doghouse blog, where he takes a different approach to the same subject -- noting the top 'hyped' trends for '09. Sherman's opinion is that the PR on these topics will far outweigh their impact on IT this year, especially given the state of the economy. Interestingly, cloud computing is also first on his list.
What's behind the apparent contradiction between these posts? Is cloud computing a meaningful trend for '09 or is the hype about cloud computing out of control?
Yes.
As John Russell has noted here previously, cloud computing is an old concept but many enterprises are just now discovering that it can offer a compelling value proposition -- especially in the for of SaaS.
On the other hand,Sherman is right to be skeptical. As he puts it -- no single 'new' technology or application will 'solve world hunger' in 2009.
My take is that cloud computing will be one of the most talked'about trends in '09, for good, solid business reasons. But it's not a panacea. From a DI vendor perspective, it offers promise as a delivery mechanism, but it also poses significant challenges in the form of even more distributed and dispersed data sources.
I'm excited about the possibilities and motivated by the challenges.
-- Michael Waclawiczek, vp of marketing, expressor software
Posted by expressor software at January 20, 2009 1:30 PM
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