New era of IT growth on the way, says Gartner

The world is on the brink of a new wave of IT innovation and growth but it will be accompanied by a huge loss of jobs overseas, warns Gartner.

In his keynote to the analyst's Spring Symposium, chairman and chief executive Michael Fleisher said IT decision makers must embrace and control inevitable changes, for better and worse.

'A sustained technology recovery is now solidly underway. Chief executives are now not judging IT executives by their ability to cut costs, but are demanding support for the number one priority - innovation and growth.'

Over the next two years this recovery will turn into a new era of growth with 'huge ramifications,' Fleisher predicted.

Four technology areas will be at the centre of a trend that will really come to fruition in 2006:

Broadband wireless

Always-on, always-connected mobile devices

Access to cheap and reliable computing power

Service-oriented architecture.

'This next generation of innovation and growth will create new markets and enormous wealth. The rewards will be very great indeed for those who can understand and exploit these technologies.'

But IT executives must accept the inevitability of large-scale outsourcing despite the 'firestorm of controversy' it is generating.

Protectionism at business or national level will fail, claims Fleisher.

The search for someone to blame for the job losses is also a waste of time.

'It's not your company's fault, or your government's fault, still less those people in China and India who are just trying to make better lives for themselves.

'We have all created this world for ourselves through our own choices as investors, consumers and citizens,' he said.

Fleisher believes that the IT executive is in a unique position to influence the course of outsourcing in companies.

'IT must help the company understand what, and what not, to outsource - and show how it can be done. We know how to do it and are uniquely placed to take charge.'

His argument is that there is no alternative. Resistance to inevitable change is futile, he said, and will damage the leading position of the IT executive just when big opportunities are on the horizon.