iPad and Enterprise IT
July 26, 2010
CIO Magazine ran a story that evoked the irony of a sophomore world literature class’s discussion of “Death in Venice”. On the surface, the old dude is trying to ease into the coffin. Below the surface, the tensions of northern and southern Europe create a flurry of post pubescent analyses.
Navigate to “Global CIO: Top 10 Reasons Steve Jobs & Apple Are The Future Of IT”. You can zip through the 10 reasons and understand that Apple’s iPad is not a toy for lean back content consumption. Nope. The iPad is the future of information technology. CIO Magazine has spoken.
A moment’s reflection reveals that *if* CIO Magazine is correct, CIO Magazine an its readers will be out of a job. No pun intended. The iPad limits the damage a user can do. Crashes are rare. Even a clueless tyro can locate content. The notion of docking to the big Apple itself reduces the likelihood of losing data. Installing software does not require a degree from MIT. Even the most conceptually challenged MBA can figure out how to work most of the device’s functions. What’s the argument for an expensive, often cranky information technology specialist. For that matter, why is a magazine needed to explain why information technology is so important to an organization. Most CEOs whom I know see IT as one big reason the company is not making headway in tough economic seas.
Consider these reasons offered up by CIO Magazine and its editorial engine sitting around struggling for a feature:
- Virtualization in general and VMWare specifically. Wow. I never would have thought of the iPad’s importance gated by VMWare. Fresh idea and one that underscores why CEOs want to be rid of information technology pundits.
- The iPad is a hot product. Yep, but what’s that say about the hostility to the clunky information technology solutions foisted on BMW crazed MBAs for many years? I think it says that complexity has made a toaster style computer the next big thing.
- The Apple desktop computers are selling. No kidding. The systems generally work as advertised. I don’t have space to explain the craziness of the Windows 7 desktop. Let me say that USB support is less than outstanding.But what’s the iPad and the CIO list mean for search.
Four points in my opinion:
First, search vendors have to come to grips with complexity and quick. Push back regarding the Rube Goldbeg systems can do them in
Second, the price point becomes an issue. When complexity is kicked to the curb, commoditization may grab the brass ring. Google had this idea years ago but has not been able to capitalize. Now it may be Lucene/Solr that gets the prize.
Third, users go their own way just as they did when bootlegging PCs into companies in the 1980s. I heard on a conference call that Google’s success is due to its opening Pandora’s Box, not from its brilliant marketing efforts.
Fourth, management becomes impotent. I have examples of senior managers who can no longer manage. The evidence is everywhere. Can you name a big company that has lost its sense of direction and the confidence of its shareholders. Need a hint?
Will CIO Magazine survive as a gadget publication? Probably not. Will traditional IT survive? In some outfits, the deck chairs floated when the Titanic sank. Outlook for those with buoyancy is good. Ah, irony of death in Venice digital style.
Stephen E Arnold, July 24, 2010
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information technology is increasing these days, most jobs are also related to information technology -`-