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The technology year ahead

The next 12 months will be challenging for all those in computing

Gates: plans to spend more time on good causes

Last year ended with technology in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, thanks to a string of “lost” data scandals. As if IT leaders were not already under enough pressure, all things information-related will be high on every chief executive’s agenda in 2008.

Green computing

You might be fed up with hearing about it, but the environment will become an even more important consideration in 2008.

Last year saw awareness growing, but early adopters found there is little best practice available and few standard ways to measure or benchmark green IT performance. Vendors are increasingly labouring their green credentials but, as ever, buyers should approach with caution.

Economic confidence

Despite optimistic statements from the big players, the US sub-prime mortgage crisis began to bite on the IT sector late last year as financial services companies became more cautious about investment.

We enter 2008 with UK business confidence shaken by the credit crunch and the Northern Rock fiasco, and history suggests the vulnerability of technology spending.

IT contractors also face tough times as clients try to reduce staff costs, and nervous chief executives could also look offshore to mitigate risks.

Privacy

Privacy will top the agenda as society starts to feel the full implications of the information age. Security has always been a significant issue, but the government data protection scandals have highlighted a need for public debate on the broadest terms.

Technical concerns such as database security and identity management have become national, political issues and the IT literate must take the lead, so that technophobes do not slow progress more than is absolutely necessary.

The role of the CIO

The skills of a successful chief information officer (CIO) have been evolving for some time, but 2007 saw evidence of a significant change in expectations.

For example, Boots and House of Fraser scrapped the CIO position altogether, in favour of a structure where board responsibility for IT goes to the finance director.

Turnover of IT executives is also increasing 23 per cent have been in post for less than a year, compared with four per cent in 2005. And there is a growing trend for IT managers to complete major change programmes and then move on.

Transformational government

In 2008, Whitehall’s Transformational Government strategy will be expected to start transforming the government.

In October, Gordon Brown talked about the “great prize of the information age”. But in December he admitted the government “has a long way to go” on IT strategy. Major initiatives such as the NHS National Programme will need to deliver tangible benefits.

But with the first contracts for ID cards due to be awarded and opposition intensifying, the spotlight on such schemes will shine brighter. The PM’s review of information sharing and data protection will need to show that his government can be trusted.

Digital convergence

The combination of broadband, consumer PCs, mobile technology and digital entertainment is revolutionising the home and high street and will do the same in the workplace.

IT managers cannot ignore the impact of the growing technical literacy of consumers.

Web 2.0 concepts such as social networking will find increasing uses in business. As the digital TV rollout frees up spectrum, cheap wireless networking is also likely to become a beneficiary.

Bye bye Bill

July will mark a milestone in IT history as Bill Gates steps down from his day-to-day work at Microsoft.

The world’s richest man is to focus on his role as the world’s greatest philanthropist, and he leaves behind an unparalleled legacy. Not much will change immediately without Gates at the helm, but the day he walks out of his Redmond office will be a landmark in the history of computing.

The company he founded now faces a major challenge as firms question the need for highly-specified, power-hungry, often-unsecure desktop PCs. With or without Gates, it needs to evolve.

Hear the podcast on this story: www.computing.co.uk/podcasts

The technology year ahead

The next 12 months will be challenging for all those in computing

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