How will the future be different?
About 5 years ago, when the IRIS software business was a lot smaller (c250 people) compared to the 1,200 people we are today, we got everybody into one room and asked them to discuss: “how will the future be different?” and “what should we be doing about it?”. The event was facilitated by Michael Jackson (no relation to the singer!), a futurologist.
This was an extremely useful exercise – the power of 250 brains at once!
Much of the output from this workshop has shaped the business plans which have evolved since then. Some of the major anticipated changes at the time being:
- Broadband and wireless revolution – browser: anytime/anywhere/any device (“IRIS hosted services”)
- 24×7 service needs (IRIS support portals and knowledge bases)
- The benefits of a “flat world” – Offshore service provision (“IRIS Resourcing”)
In January, IRIS NFP Solutions hosted its annual Technology Trends lunch, with similar and some additional visions for the future.
So, what I’d really like to know, is what do you expect the major changes to be over the next 5 years (economic, technological, political & cultural)?
Posted: February 3rd, 2010 under Martin Leuw.
Tags: broadband, business plans, iris software, offshore service, software business, wireless revolution
Comments
Comment from Jim Prior
Time February 11, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Google Local Search together with smartphones like their new Nexus, and of course Apple iPhone will come to the fore in the next 5 years. Because the smartphone is so, smart, its being used less as a phone and more and more, as everything else. Local Search aka Google Maps will replace the Yellow Pages for businesses. This will enable customers to use their phones to show their current location with GPS, then search for the closest businesses providing goods and services they need in their immediate vicinity, read reviews on their phone that have been submitted by savvy business owners to the Google Maps network, then use their phone to give directions to the best provider of their needs. Local businesses and professionals will start to realise that a good listing on Google Maps is becoming MORE important than even their online Yellow Page listing.
Comment from Steven James
Time February 7, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Definately interesting times ahead in tech and especially the internet. Google are starting to show their true colours and in 5 years they will have dropped the veil on the playful underdog image they portray. They have masterminded some fantastic coups with this image and they are nearly ready.
I think they will attack the mobile market in competition to Apple, this should produce some fantastic user experiences. Behind the scenes though they will make sure Google voice is capable of replacing even corporate phone systems. There is more to this ‘mobile only’ google OS than they claim, their infrastructure spend makes this obvious.
In the next 10 years, there is bound to be more major terrorist scares including high tech and Google will be there to outsource the lot from you. Disaster Recovery will make a great excuse to outsource anything that can IP based. They didn’t build those Datacentres in the middle of nowhere for cost alone.