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10 Trends That Will Influence Your Future Decisions

By Don Reisinger on 2011-11-22


As a CIO, you both help promote new trends in the industry and respond to them. While some of your colleagues are still determining what to do in the next year, you're already thinking about how technology is going to help shape your business far into the future. CIOs have to be forward-thinking executives to make sure enterprises are leveraging technology in the right way. In light of that, a host of major changes are coming your way in the next few years. From the increased popularity of cloud computing to the resurgence of Apple in the enterprise, you’ll be faced with a host of opportunities and challenges that will have profound effects upon your decision-making and your ability to help your company maximize its return on investment. Here we take a look at some of the trends that will impact your decision-making as you plot your company's technology roadmap. From cloud-computing to extremely low-energy servers, a slew of new ideas and technologies are coming your way.

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1. Cloud Computing


The cloud is the future. Companies big and small are making their way to the cloud for everything from daily tasks to keeping in touch with the office. In the future, all of your software and solutions decisions could relate to the cloud.

2. Consumerization of IT


Consumerization of IT has quickly become a hot-button issue in the enterprise as products like the iPhone and Android-based handsets creep into the office. It’s your job as CIO to accept that and capitalize on it. After all, if there’s no stopping it, why not embrace it?

3. Apple’s Increasing Influence


Thanks to the increasing adoption of the iPhone and iPad, it’s quickly becoming clear that Apple will play an even larger presence in your office in the coming years -- either by you making it so, or employees forcing it upon you.

4. The Growth of Mobile Apps


Not only are enterprise-focused apps available on iOS, Android, and BlackBerry OS, but companies can even create their own proprietary apps for internal use. Not bad.

5. Windows 8


As you consider your plans for desktop operating systems in the future, keep in mind that Microsoft’s Windows 8 is heading to store shelves next year. And Windows 7 isn't a bad option if you'd rather upgrade now.

6. An End to Desktops


Sad as it is, desktops are on their way to the junk heap. The PCs restrict productivity to such a point that they don’t make any sense for the enterprise anymore. Looking ahead, you’ll need to focus on laptops and tablets.

7. A Constrained Economy


The economy could have a profound impact on your plans for the future. If things turn around, you’ll probably find your budget increase, allowing you to invest in new technologies. However, if trouble persists, you’ll have no other choice but to work with what you have -- unfortunately.

8. The Social Web


Social networks are popular among employees and are being used increasing by companies to promote their brands. And while social networks can create security issues, you need to incorporate them in your plans, or face being overruled by your CEO and CMO.

9. Extremely Low-Energy Servers


Energy is expensive. It’s a good time to start investing in what is becoming increasingly prevalent “extremely low-energy servers.” They’ll help you save some cash, and at the same time, future-proof your company. Not bad.

10. Cloud Storage


Both on-premise and cloud storage are growing as companies keep more data. By storing content in the cloud, you’ll be able to have another disaster-recovery option, and in case data is stolen, you can retrieve it from another place. Whatever you do, don’t turn your back on cloud storage.

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