High-Tech Predictions, Pledges For 2007

I guess my high-tech predictions could be more accurately called intuitions because I have no intention of backing them up with data. In no particular order, here are five things I think will be big for high-tech and the solution provider channel in 2007:

1) Discussions of environmental issues/green issues. The caveat is that the discussion will start first among your enterprise and midsize accounts (the ones who have the most to lose financially if they get caught skirting new green laws that are kicking in prompting more high-tech recycling and refurbishment) and in states/regions that have more stringent laws, including California and New Jersey. Make no mistake, this is coming.

2) Virtual desktops. The Microsoft-Novell pact makes this a whole lot more appealing. And it enables people to use very specific custom applications side-by-side with the pretty Windows Office suite. By the way, I have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of the people using the new Apple Intel-based systems are two-timing it when it comes to operating systems. This will continue, not because monogamy isn't good but because it's useful. And it's a great thing that will require integration and administration skills on your part.

3) Smaller, faster, phat-er. My friend's preteen daughter revealed the other night that she owns something like six cell phones floating around their house. OK, so they don't all work, but I guess you could call this the mobile tech twist on hand-me-downs. (Relate this back to Prediction No. 1, as I think the refurbishment/recycling conversation will apply here, bigtime. Think of all the TONS of cell phones given away by the carriers every year.) Conclusion: I think 2007 will be humongous for handhelds, mobile technology and cell phones. In the business channel, the seamless mobile technology synchronization enabled by Vista will be a godsend. I can't remember the last time I owned a desktop for work. What about you?

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4) The next best thing to being there. We've been fooled before by the slightly-naughty-work-in-my-pajamas promise of videoconferencing, but networked video is going to be big starting in late 2007. No, really. Not only are more solution providers across the board talking about applications involving IP surveillance technology, but the distributors are picking up these products and Cisco is getting into the video act with its TelePresence line. By the way, all this is happening around the same time that many companies are expected to start upgrading their network infrastructure. Coincidence? I think not.

5) Last, but certainly not least, identity management. In this category, I include all the biometrics advances (like the secure log-in technology from BioPassword, which won't accept a password unless it's typed with your unique keyboard typing rhythm) and the holy grail of network access control. It's the mother of all dilemmas: More secure access vs. Power of cyber-collaboration (which can only be enabled by appropriate access to files, folders, images, voicemail, etc.)

I won't bore you with my personal resolutions, but when it comes to CRN, I pledge the following three action items:

1) Report the news from your point of view. The CRN reporting staff takes its cues from solution providers, so if you have a compliment or gripe about a product, observations about the state of channel conflict, a great case study to tell ... we want to hear about it. Consider us your voice to the big bad world. If you don't have a connection on the reporting staff, e-mail me at [email protected], and I'll introduce you to someone on the CRN editorial team. 2) Talk tech. More reviews, more products. More how-to content. It's pretty obvious what you want more of, based on the viewership on our Web site. Our biggest story, by far, this year was our Products of the Year special report, which posted earlier this month. In the first two days, we received more than 550,000 page views thanks to some props from Slashdot. Your hunger for stats, specs, bug checks, patch info, installation tips and more is insatiable. But we'll sure as heck try to keep you from going hungry. Tell us what you want us to write about. Reach out to me at [email protected].

3) Build on your community. The coolest thing about my job in high-tech journalism is you, the CRN readership. You are like no other audience out there. Solution providers are the people who really understand how technology can be applied in the real world and who make practice out of the theory. Actually, you keep me grounded, since I have a tendency to get excited about gee-whiz technology before thinking about all the gotchas. So, enabling you to talk to each other more easily, in person OR on our Web site is a key goal for the CRNeditorial team. Whether it's to debate a technical issue or to forge a business partnership, we know you need better Web facilities to do this and THEY ARE COMING. I PROMISE.

Wishing you all a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year.