Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Subscribe
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Subscribe
    Home IT Management
    • IT Management

    Our View: Consumer Tech Hits IT

    Written by

    Scot Petersen
    Published October 23, 2006
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

      A new wave of consumer technology, along with the Generation Y that has grown up with it, is about to hit corporations worldwide—and IT pros will have to deal with it. That was the top message coming out of the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo in Orlando, Fla., Oct. 8-13.

      Weve seen this before. The first PCs came out of hobbyists garages, as did the software to run them. Communications tools ranging from the telephone to instant messaging also started out with individuals in mind before becoming part of everyday business. As in the past, theres an opportunity for businesses that adopt new technologies, such as social networking, Web services and handheld devices, to flatten out organizational structures and improve communication and efficiency.

      But things are different this time. The relationship between technology and Generation Y “digital natives,” as Gartner calls them, is much more personal than before—for better or worse. Young people dont expect to check their right to access blogs, podcasts, and sites such as YouTube and MySpace at the door when they enter corporate America. And its pointless for corporations to attempt to control all uses of personal technology, Gartner analysts say.

      But a problem arises when businesss need for security, which has never been greater, meets up with the anything-goes digital lifestyle. One unconventional answer: Go with the flow. Rather than work harder and harder to tighten controls on a system that is growing out of control, give up some of the control. Some businesses are even turning PC provisioning over to employees and giving them a stipend toward buying their own gear. This empowers users and winds up costing the company less to boot.

      All those users must be treated like any outsiders seeking access, but that could actually simplify things by applying security policies to both insiders and outsiders equally. Another advantage is that, since all software ultimately may be run as a service over the Internet, it will make the dedicated PC less important in the overall IT picture. Every year, users are coming to the work force more skilled at managing their own computing environments. The potential for cost reduction and better management and security is tantalizing.

      We are not advocating such a strategy for most businesses just yet. But consumer technology is a wave that cannot be stopped. Instead, it ought to be guided and used to advantage. To do so will take new ways of thinking that we are just beginning to explore.

      Tell us what you think at [email protected].

      eWeeks Editorial Board consists of Jason Brooks, Larry Dignan, Stan Gibson, Scot Petersen and Lisa Vaas.

      Check out eWEEK.coms for the latest news, reviews and analysis on IT management.

      Scot Petersen
      Scot Petersen
      Scot Petersen is a technology analyst at Ziff Brothers Investments, a private investment firm. Prior to joining Ziff Brothers, Scot was the editorial director, Business Applications & Architecture, at TechTarget. Before that, he was the director, Editorial Operations, at Ziff Davis Enterprise, While at Ziff Davis Media, he was a writer and editor at eWEEK.

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Artificial Intelligence

      9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

      Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
      AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
      Read more
      Cloud

      RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

      Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
      RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
      Read more
      Artificial Intelligence

      8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

      Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
      Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
      Read more
      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Video

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.