The industry celebrates standardization, but standardization breeds stagnation of innovation in certain aspects of technology. Not to say this is all bad. Standardization creates a space where predictable things can happen, so more systems can interoperate. It also creates commoditization. Skill sets become well defined. Once you've learned the skill set you are qualified to work on the software/equipment. As standardization increases it becomes more and more a matter of "anybody can do this". You can set up predictable training regimes that can churn out hundreds or thousands of people, all qualified to do the same things.
The microcomputing revolution that grew up and came into the data centers, where mainframes once ruled, has matured. There's nothing left to do with it except optimize the same old processes, and optimize personnel costs. Hence outsourcing.
The one ray of hope is, and I know this is quite an audacious statement to make, is that the computer revolution hasn't really happened yet. There is much more to go, but I contend it can't happen with our current model of computing. That's matured. It's time for something new. Centers of innovation are being formed outside of the stagnant corporate and academic worlds, though you have to look for them. They're not high profile. This is long overdue.
Discussion on:
Message 14 of 1
IBM Sponsored Resources
Resources from our Sponsor
- Oracle Exadata vs IBM: Netezza Compared
- Forrester TEI Report
- CIA Whitepaper
- Harnessing the Power of Advanced Analytics
- Tapping into Unleashed Business Potential with Advanced Analytics
- Unlock Analytic Performance with Revolution R for Enterprise and IBM: Netezza Data Warehouse Appliance
The best of ZDNet, delivered
ZDNet Newsletters
Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox
