Bender Consulting Predicts Key IT Trends For 2011
Mobile Computing and Cloud Computing Continue to Play Major Roles
SAN FRANCISO – January 6, 2011 – Bender Consulting, a premier boutique consulting firm with deep expertise in the IT sector, today announced its predictions for key trends that will have the biggest impact on IT for 2011.
“We expect much of what we saw toward the end of 2010 continue in full force in 2011 in regards to mobile computing and Cloud Computing,” said Scott Archibald, managing director and IT Transformation Practice leader for Bender Consulting. “Mobile and Cloud will continue to shape, reshape and define the IT sector as many organizations will both struggle and flourish when it comes to implementing mobile and Cloud technologies in the enterprise.”
Key IT Trends for 2011:
Mobility and Cloud Computing will continue to be the hot topics in 2011, and will continue to drive behavior and decision making across both IT departments and entire organizations. The below trends are all impacted by mobility and Cloud Computing:
- The Consumerization of IT will continue to accelerate: Smartphones and cloud computing will be the key driver for this trend. Personal smartphones will inevitably continue to find their way into the business world — activity that will need to be addressed by IT departments and organizations. Departments and individuals will continue to engage in shadow IT projects or individual projects outsourced to the Cloud due to low price points and accessibility.
- A shift from CapEx to OpEx will occur: Although companies are cash rich at the moment, there will be a continued reluctance to invest dollars in fixed costs and physical assets when companies can outsource services to address key IT needs. Variable costs and the ability to turn the spigot on and off will rule the day as a way to control costs and maintain a cash-rich position.
- Security for Mobile Devices will boom: Companies will look to solve the device-independent security challenge. Considering close to half of PDAs/Smartphones get lost or stolen, the need for better security will be key — remote wipe, tracking devices, etc.
- Tablets will change the laptop landscape: Tablet computers will find their way more and more in the enterprise space, being used for business-specific purposes. Specific business applications and uses will emerge, and in some instances become the compute device of choice — particularly for executives.
“Security for increased integration of Cloud Computing will get a lot of attention in 2011 as well, but don’t expect to see major progress on that front for large enterprises until 2012 or later,” added Archibald.
About Bender Consulting
Bender Consulting, Inc. is a premier management consulting firm that helps the world’s leading companies and institutions achieve success through transformation. Bender Consulting partners with business leaders to make actionable, lasting and measurable improvements to their businesses and organizations. Bender Consulting provides independent, thoughtful, data-driven guidance coupled with hands-on execution and support to clients when they are under pressure to show results. Bender delivers success to transformation initiatives that impact strategy, employees, culture, business operations and systems. The company was founded in 2004 and has offices in Austin, Houston and the Bay Area. For more information, visit: www.bendercon.con
