2009 Predictions for IT
Chip Salyards
10/12/2008

With the current economic environment, organisational spending will begin to resemble a high stakes game of musical chairs. While the Computing Technology Industry Association previously reported that 51 per cent of small and midsized enterprises plan to increase their technology spending in 2009, it seems a safe bet that spending now will freeze with likely reductions across the board. So if organisations only have a dollar to spend on IT, where will they spend it? Chip Salyards, Vice President, BMC Software Asia Pacific offers the following predictions for IT in 2009:

#1 – ROI Will Be King
While the days of buying IT for shelfware are long gone, any money allocated to IT must have a very short path to producing tangible ROI for the business and aligning to broader business objectives.

#2 – IT That Reduces TCO Will Be Queen
Don’t assume a streamlined IT staff will result in reduced performance expectations. IT managers will look to technology investments that allow them bear attrition and/or layoffs while maintaining a high level of service. IT investment that increases automation and reduces total cost of ownership will be queen.

#3 – Mainframe Becomes IT Security Blanket
Ever the gentle giants, mainframes are poised to become the default security blanket for IT as organisations squeeze even more value from this long ago amortised investment. Management tools that encompass mainframe, distributed, virtual and cloud environments will add more value than those solely focused on the new virtual kids on the block.

#4 – Management Becomes Virtualisation Achilles Heel
While virtual server environments promise lower internal resource requirements, unchecked virtual server sprawl quickly can create hornet’s nest from a management perspective. Proper controls and management processes will need to be in place before going virtual, and management tools that give visibility into the virtual network will be critical.

#5 – The Cloud Will Move Beyond Hype
With the volatile economic backdrop, organisations will be more hesitant to be first movers to the cloud as any negative consequences could have career ending consequences. Management tools also will evolve to encompass the entire network environment from the mainframe to the cloud.

#6 – Conservatives Will Win In Business
Maintaining tight controls and being fiscally conservative will be a requirement for businesses to make it through the economic tunnel. More corporate jets will be grounded, sales conferences will be on a shoestring if not cancelled and executive compensation will remain flat at best. It will be a time to tighten the belt and go on a diet.

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