The IT industry: A booming industry
The IT industry is a booming industry with a great future. The annual average growth rate is of 5.3% until 2015. The IT industry’s success comes from its ubiquitous need in other industries: It provides solutions to most of the industries existing on earth.
The transformation of information systems (from paper based to computer based architecture) has started a new era. The first step of this era was to automate many dull tasks and to reduce the quantity of paper information based on the spread of computers and mainframes. The second step of the era was to share information with other companies and customers using powerful applications on computers: to sell online with automated platforms, to share static information on the web and to start working with smart local applications. The third step of the era is on its way: the capability to sell, buy or work anywhere at anytime with a complete and quick access to the data, to consume through online and on demand infrastructure and/or applications. Cloud computing is the dematerialization of complex legacy IT systems where software is delivered as-a-service (“SaaS”), as well as infrastructure (“IaaS”) and platform (PaaS). “Public Cloud” solutions provide cheap on-line access to applications and IT infrastructure shared between companies. These solutions present a high psychological entry barrier as it implies risks (security of data, services failure of operators) and are being used by early-stage companies. “Private cloud” solutions can be hosted either at the client’s premises or at the datacenter of a Cloud provider. They have the preference of large and growing companies as they are scalable, operationally-outsourced and adapted to organizations with multiple local branch offices. Companies can also decide to have a hybrid cloud to smooth their transition to the cloud and to guaranty the safety of their core information. The telecommunications infrastructure is ready for the move (large coverage, reliable networks and fast connections) and this explains the current hype on the cloud computing for externalizing the storage of data and hosting of applications. Cloud computing is the first strategic technology for 2011 in the world.
Tablets and smartphones are changing the rules in the telecommunications business as the application platforms do not belong to operators, but to a new set of players opening the access to their platform to many developers to sell online their applications (largely more than 100 000 applications for the Apple Store or the Android market). People are using their handset at home and on the move with their own applications. They also want to check their email, to use them with dedicated professional applications or to use virtualization to work remotely on their computer at the office. All this has an impact on the IT strategy and security of the company while it offers great working opportunities. Virtualization is the second strategic technology for the years to come.
The internet and its 1.6 billion users at the end of 2010 have given new possibilities to share information between users. The collaboration tools (wiki, blog…) and the social networks are the root of the web 2.0 which is the third strategic technology for the coming years.
A lot of changes are occurring these days thanks to new IT services and solutions. Small, medium and large companies do not need the same products, but they need to work on their integration strategy of new trends to gain a competitive advantage. Working on the IT of a company is not innocent today and it has to be thought globally together with the company’s global strategy and organization. IT solutions or external IT consulting can help investigate, prioritize and plan the introduction of the best long term strategies within a company. Lagers will lose the possibility to provide benefits for their customers and for their employees.
CAIRNBRIDGE SOLUTIONS® focus on the first two strategic technologies (Virtualization and Cloud Computing) to provide our customers with the ability to access corporate resources anywhere anytime via secured connection.