The hot technologies of today just the platforms of tomorrow

[#1]

When I look at the hype afforded Software defined X (computing, storage, networks…), big data, unified communications, mobility (tablets, smartphones)… in the minds today and think about how they will be viewed by 2020, it’s seems clear that much of it will be considered standard infrastructure. They may be disruptive to today’s business models, but just a normal part of the future.

Unfortunately, I am old enough to remember when the first PC landed on my desk, as well as my first laptop, smartphone… now it is an assumed part of work today.

For organizations putting together a 5 year plan, they will likely need to look beyond these techniques if they want to gain competitive advantage. That’s why a focus on technology’s business effect is more strategic than just thinking about technology adoption.

I am not saying that emerging technologies are not important. It is more that the business evolution is always important. Next generation devices, sensors and user interfaces will take computing into places it has never been before. Parallel processing and collaboration techniques will shift how applications are developed and paired with gamification how they are used to address business goals. Analytics and automation will change how work gets done and how employees spend their time. These are just a few of the areas a five year plan would need to embrace.