Awards prove that IT is alive and well

Forget economic indicators. Ignore for now the fact that UK hardware spending is the lowest since records began. If you need a shot in the arm to show the true health of the UK IT profession, then take a long, slow read through the list of finalists for the all-new UK IT Industry Awards 2009, from the BCS and Computing.

The roll call of leading organisations, individuals and technologies up for a prize this year demonstrates that excellence, quality and customer satisfaction are thriving in the technology community.

We genuinely expected to struggle when encouraging entries to this year’s awards ­ but the reality could not have been more different. IT budgets may be shrinking, IT departments may, sadly, have a few more empty desks than they did this time last year, but in perhaps the most difficult economic environment many have known, there is no shortage of innovation.

The finalists prove that for those organisations looking to beat the recession and be more competitive, efficient and flexible once the downturn is over, IT remains central to their success.

Our congratulations to all the shortlisted entries, and good luck for the final round of the process in what promises to be a set of difficult decisions for our judges.

NHS IT still innovating

The NHS is one area that has not been short of cash for IT investment, regardless of the wider economy. But so much of that money has been tied up in the £12.7bn National Programme for IT (NPfIT), that many NHS IT leaders have faced a new set of challenges to keep innovating and delivering technology to improve healthcare. That so many have been able to drive IT-enabled change while keeping up with the controversies and complications of NPfIT is a great reflection of their skills and determination. When, eventually, the national applications are rolled out, the combination with local IT innovation is a cause for optimism for the future of technology in the health service.