As we launch into 2010, the IT industry is faced with three major
challenges. What makes these so significant is they are not on the
radar of most companies. In this report I will address the first
challenge that we as an industry have ignored. Although I can not
provide answers, my hope for this article is to expose the issues and
launch a dialogue within the IT community as we search for answers.
This is not your Father's IT
The first challenge I call "Your Father's IT", or better yet, "Your Grandfather's IT" We live in an age where technology is advancing at phenomenal rates. However, companies are slow to adopt these new technologies. The biggest reason is quite simply, legacy IT staff does not know what to do with them! They are stuck in old IT paradigms and can not see how their IT world could be improved with new technologies.
Old IT paradigms are the biggest obstacle to capitalizing on new technologies
In order to adopt new technologies IT has to think outside the legacy IT box. They have to be willing to redefine what IT can become. Let us look at IT Consumerization as an example; Consumerization is the ability for business professionals to use their personal smart phones and other smart devices at their workplace. Today, the "Your Fathers IT" reaction is "No Way! This technology is a security risk and cannot be allowed into the workplace". However, organizations with "New IT" paradigms will look at the new capabilities and determine how (or if) the devices can make their company more competitive. If so, they will find ways to secure the technology and make it work for them. I am not suggesting all new technologies be implemented. I am suggesting the IT industry gravitate to a new paradigm; a mindset that is determined to evaluate how new technologies will, or will not, benefit their business.
Today, "Your Father's IT" waits until the technology is released and the bugs worked out. Eventually they evaluate the technology then fund and finally implement. I have seen this process take up to twenty four months. That is two years without the business benefits offered by the technology. This mindset can cost a company millions of dollars over that twenty four month period. Imagine your competitors reaping the cost benefits and efficiencies of new technologies while your legacy IT is stuck in a wait and see mode of operation.
Companies who have adopted the "New IT" paradigm will be delivering value propositions to the business before new technologies are formally released. Successful companies will not wait to deploy new technologies until current technology reaches end of life. They will do it when there is a compelling business case to do so.
So how does a company break out of the legacy IT paradigm? How do they change their current mode of operation? Can a company teach their Legacy IT new tricks? Can a companies culture adapt to a "New IT" paradigm without external pressures? What can push a company out of its "Old IT" patterns that are so comfortable today? I am convinced that if companies do not adapt to "New IT" paradigms they will not survive the next decade. However, changing paradigms and corporate cultures can be an impossible task. One does not merely decide one day that their IT will think and behave differently from now on.
This challenge is easily ignored and has been for years. However, ignoring this challenge only puts your business at continued risk of becoming obsolete and uncompetitive. In 2010 we must take steps to limit our exposure to this and the two challenges I will discuss in the next reports. If your company is going to survive the next decade you have to come up with answers to these challenges. As I mentioned earlier, my intent is to open the door to further dialogue. Let us consider the door wide open.
This is not your Father's IT
The first challenge I call "Your Father's IT", or better yet, "Your Grandfather's IT" We live in an age where technology is advancing at phenomenal rates. However, companies are slow to adopt these new technologies. The biggest reason is quite simply, legacy IT staff does not know what to do with them! They are stuck in old IT paradigms and can not see how their IT world could be improved with new technologies.
Old IT paradigms are the biggest obstacle to capitalizing on new technologies
In order to adopt new technologies IT has to think outside the legacy IT box. They have to be willing to redefine what IT can become. Let us look at IT Consumerization as an example; Consumerization is the ability for business professionals to use their personal smart phones and other smart devices at their workplace. Today, the "Your Fathers IT" reaction is "No Way! This technology is a security risk and cannot be allowed into the workplace". However, organizations with "New IT" paradigms will look at the new capabilities and determine how (or if) the devices can make their company more competitive. If so, they will find ways to secure the technology and make it work for them. I am not suggesting all new technologies be implemented. I am suggesting the IT industry gravitate to a new paradigm; a mindset that is determined to evaluate how new technologies will, or will not, benefit their business.
Today, "Your Father's IT" waits until the technology is released and the bugs worked out. Eventually they evaluate the technology then fund and finally implement. I have seen this process take up to twenty four months. That is two years without the business benefits offered by the technology. This mindset can cost a company millions of dollars over that twenty four month period. Imagine your competitors reaping the cost benefits and efficiencies of new technologies while your legacy IT is stuck in a wait and see mode of operation.
Companies who have adopted the "New IT" paradigm will be delivering value propositions to the business before new technologies are formally released. Successful companies will not wait to deploy new technologies until current technology reaches end of life. They will do it when there is a compelling business case to do so.
So how does a company break out of the legacy IT paradigm? How do they change their current mode of operation? Can a company teach their Legacy IT new tricks? Can a companies culture adapt to a "New IT" paradigm without external pressures? What can push a company out of its "Old IT" patterns that are so comfortable today? I am convinced that if companies do not adapt to "New IT" paradigms they will not survive the next decade. However, changing paradigms and corporate cultures can be an impossible task. One does not merely decide one day that their IT will think and behave differently from now on.
This challenge is easily ignored and has been for years. However, ignoring this challenge only puts your business at continued risk of becoming obsolete and uncompetitive. In 2010 we must take steps to limit our exposure to this and the two challenges I will discuss in the next reports. If your company is going to survive the next decade you have to come up with answers to these challenges. As I mentioned earlier, my intent is to open the door to further dialogue. Let us consider the door wide open.
I encourage you to propose your ideas and join me in a discussion on this topic at http://groups.google.com/group/itanswers4u
John Bagdanov
Founder and Chief Advisor at IT Answers 4U
John has been in IT for almost 30 years and has supported numerous clients. His IT Leadership experience spans from formal IT leadership to leading world-wide technology projects.
Founder and Chief Advisor at IT Answers 4U
John has been in IT for almost 30 years and has supported numerous clients. His IT Leadership experience spans from formal IT leadership to leading world-wide technology projects.
At IT Answers 4U we
provide free content on our web site and a fee based Advising service
that teaches companies how to run effective IT departments
Visit our site for:
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Free answers to your IT questions
Free 2 hour consultation
For more information about John and IT Answsers 4U visit our web site at http://www.itanswers4u.com
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