I was browsing the net, trying to catch up on what’s going on in the World Wide Web (catching up on the World is not enough), when I found articles which map directly to the predictions of IDC. Read the first blog on it here. So here is an attempt to map each 10 predictions to the world’s happenings as and when I find them. You could help me out too, by simply shooting an email on what you found...
Also I thought I shall try and demystify some of the topics by giving a simpler explanation on them.
1. Worldwide IT Spending Will Be Marginally Higher in 2007 , Driving Vendor Risk Taking
2. Mature Regions Will Experience an Uptick ; Emerging Markets Will Brake (Just a Little )/strong>
Remember SOX guys? Well chances are if you are heading out to work in Japan, you will have to look out for J-SOX compliance. J-SOX refers to Japanese regulatory requirements, similar to SOX Act in the US and is related to financial controls management that were incorporated in the legislated draft entitled “Financial Instruments and Exchange Law”. It will be put into effect from April 1,2008 and companies in Japan will drive IT spending to meet these requirements. Check
Financial Instruments and Exchange Law
Full Fledged Efforts needed in Preparation for J-SOX
India is expected to generate revenues of $ 39.7 billion in terms of IT (export and import) according to NASSCOM (National Association of Software Service Companies)
Check “Indian IT Industry: NASSCOM Analysis”
3 . Growing Pains in BRIC Will Boost Exploration of Beyond BRIC Countries
BRIC? Stands for Brazil, Russia, India & China which are primary outsourcing destinations, not necessarily in that order. Apparently new companies trying to outsource part of their businesses will be exploring countries other than the BRIC countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Indonesia and south American countries like Argentina, Chile or Peru.
Ever heard of a Virtual Secretary? Read about a outsourced receptionist working in Pakistan for a company based in the US.
4 . Three Groups of Vendors Will Intensify Their Focus on Reaching " the SMB Long Tail "
The sign of this prediction ringing true is already in front of our eyes. Google has launched a paid version of its web applications to popularize it with the small firms. Microsoft has revealed partnership with BT for focusing on small businesses. Read Google charges for web programs.The sign of this prediction ringing true is already in front of our eyes. Google has launched a paid version of its web applications to popularize it with the small firms. Microsoft has revealed partnership with BT for focusing on small businesses.
5 . The Battle for Information Platform Leadership Will Shift into High Gear
Trends are that we would see acceleration in consolidation among information access and management players to establish leadership positions in the industry.
Check the press statement about Oracle’s acquisition of Hyperion released 1st March.
This year would also see a growth in the development of verticalized information, for example LexisNexis.
6 . Major Application Vendors Will Radically Upshift Their SaaS Efforts
SaaS? – Software as a Service. Google is an early adopted by providing programs which can be used online for businesses. I have not come across more instances but I bet I will, if I take the effort to look around.
7. " Virtualization 2 . 0 " and Software Appliances Will Reshape the Infrastructure Landscape
Virtualization? In a nutshell, it is about technology which would enable N Servers to virtually exist on one single physical server.
Read about the looming war between Microsoft and VMware, a big player in virtualization software here and here.
8 . Services / Software Fusion Will Pick Up Speed
It’s about offshore players expanding operations outside their home base. Have not come across any links for this yet.
Prediction 9 " Two - Minute Drill “: IP Competence ,
Channel Mashup , Pricing Shift , Networks + SOA + Solutions = IT
Did you wonder why CISCO changed the new logo? I did and evidently it was a rebranding measure , but "rebranding for what" is what I couldn’t figure. Which is when I read that Network/communication equipment vendors will turn down their network centric messaging and turn up their IT centric, SOA oriented messaging. Don’t believe it yet? Read Cisco converts to SOA
My friends looking to work with CISCO better know this.
1 0 . Consumer Markets : What Else ? Convergence , Competition , and Creativity
The demands for Gaming rises, more people get on to virtual worlds and the coming of age for Quad Play? Quad Play is about offering mobility/wireless on devices which we get triple play. Thinking of taking your TV along for your road trip so that you don’t want to miss the big game? I think we will be there in a couple of years.
Read about “Sprint and Cable Companies Bring the Quad Play Closer”
References
http://cdn.idc.com/downloads/204631.pdf
Financial Instruments and Exchange Law http://www.fsa.go.jp/en/policy/fiel/index.html
Full Fledged Efforts needed in Preparation for J-SOX, http://www.nri.co.jp/english/news/2006/060221.html
“Indian IT Industry: NASSCOM Analysis”, http://www.nasscom.in/upload/5216/Indian%20IT%20Industry%20Factsheet%20Feb%202007.doc
Virtual Secretary Puts New Face on Pakistan, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/09/AR2005050901158.html
Google charges for web programs , href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6385487.stm
Oracle buys enterprise Performance Management Leader Hyperion, http://www.oracle.com/corporate/press/2007_mar/hyperion.html?msgid=5373052
VMware - Microsoft Battle Looming, http://slashdot.org/articles/07/02/26/0240243.shtml
VMware attacks Microsoft's Virtualization Strategy, http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=283
Cisco converts to SOA, http://www.information-age.com/briefing_rooms/development_and_integration/context/cisco_converts_to_soa
Sprint & Cable companies bring quad play closer, http://www.voip-magazine.com/content/view/574/