06.03.10
IT is Forever Changing
IBM began by building business equipment that could punch cards, read cards, sort cards, collate cards, and print reports from cards. They did this all without computers. Processes were defined by wiring boards.
Once computers became affordable by businesses, change went into overdrive. Processes could be stored in programs. Over the years, hardware costs have plummeted and speed is almost beyond comprehension. In parallel to this, the ability for high-speed communications has provided the base needed for the internet. Having the ability to store, transfer, and accurately reproduce information using digital technology has changed everything we see and hear.
We are at the stage now where computing technology has entered into all aspects of our lives. Large corporations could not function without information technology.
The biggest problem is that the complexity of information technology prevents many creative and innovative individuals from participating in change. But this problem is about to go away. Another major change has begun.
Just like the engineers that led the industrial revolution, Enterprise Architects are leading another revolution. They are modeling our information and processes. Using these models, anyone in business is able to see through the complexity and envision better ways to operate. This is opening up decision-making in the application of information technology to the wisdom of the crowd.
This transition is already underway. It is exciting to know that the overall complexity will become a strength. This strength is built upon sound concepts of component architectures and supporting infrastructure that have been in development for the last few decades.
IT is continuing to change. This next major change will bring openness that will foster unprecedented innovation.
Closing the Business / IT gap
