Technology Options For The Enterprise

First, some numbers:



In 1996-97, the Indian users spent a little more than Rs 7,000 crore on IT products
and services.



In 1997-98, this figure is estimated to be in the region of Rs 8,500 to 9,000 crore.


In the calendar year 1997, an estimated 2500 products were launched in the US.


In the decade ending 1997, the US industry had reportedly spent about one trillion dollars
on IT.

Where has all the money gone? Compare it to

another insignifi-cant piece of data. In the mid to late eighties, the Japanese industry

was well ahead of the US corporate segment in terms of efficiency, productivity, and

technology adaptation. In the last five years, the US industry has surged ahead, with

behemoths like GM, Exxon, and IBM rebounding from the rough patch that they hit, while as

we are talking today, the Japanese industry and the economy may just be hitting a

tailspin.

There has been established in the past a

high degree of correlation between IT investment and middle-term and long-term economic

success. In fact, the first tentative steps to the process is in shifting the thought of

IT as an investment rather than an expense. It is from these foundations that the

wellspring of productivity, effectiveness, and efficiency comes.

And that was the idea! If there was ever an

effective method of sifting through the technology maze, zeroing in on the ones that made

most sense, examining the options, and possibly charting the future course.

Actually speaking, this is neither about

options nor is it about directions. That is because you have the option of choosing to

ignore one or more of the ideas presented here (at your own peril, of course!) or even

charting your march to the tune of a different drummer.

Otherwise, presented here are technologies,

issues, and directions that will be on the forefront of corporate IT strategies in the

short to medium-term. Ranging from hardware specifications through email to

datawarehousing to network security issues, we take you through what will be the hottest

issues that the CIO will face. The pieces here will explain in simple terms what these

issues mean, which direction are we headed in, and most importantly, what you should do

about them.

Welcome aboard.