In the business technology world, pundits and debaters have coined the term consumerization of IT. So what exactly does this mean?
Good question, and to answer it, let me backtrack a little bit.
Traditionally in business the IT team made the rules of what technology tools and devices would be purchased, what technology or tools could be used, and what technology devices and tools would be supported.
What this really translated into was: do it our way or the highway……
Quite simple actually!
With the advent of the iPhone, then the iPad and all of the other ‘smart’ devices appearing, IT teams have been caught off guard by executives and board members showing up with orders such as; ‘I want this, make it so…’
This concept of technology tools and devices showing up inside the walls of business, but brought inside by people outside of the IT function has simply been given the term the consumerization of IT.
Technology leaders have been given a rude awakening that people can buy what are often better tools for the job than their IT team is willing to provide. Call it a shift to a new sense of empowerment, and now consumers have the power!
And I think that this courting of the consumer is going to continue happening. And as this shift it happens, this consumer technology will become expected, standard and probably more efficient.
Why?
Lets look at a loose parallel: Cars
For decades the automotive industry has introduced new car models and technologies at the largest auto shows. Complete with thousands of square feet of space, futuristic concept cars and pretty women in skimpy outfits, these shows have become annual pilgrimages for journalists, automotive enthusiasts and others to see the latest automotive technologies and models. (The two largest auto shows in the US, being Detroit and Los Angeles)
But?
Have you heard of CES? Don’t worry if you haven’t, but those letters are for the Consumer Electronics Show. Notice I emphasize the word Consumer?
The Consumer Electronics Show was traditionally the technology gadget equivalent of the auto show. The latest Television technology? latest and greatest smart phone? MP3 player? You got it – the Mecca for gadget geeks the world over.
But there has been a shift.
For the last couple of years, and each year there is more, when some automotive companies have been introducing new models and the associated technologies, they have not been doing it at the huge auto shows, but introducing them at CES.
Think about that! Among others this year, Ford Motor Company has introduced new products at CES Las Vegas.
Make no mistake, this is a shift for the automotive industry. The annual pilgrimage to Detroit or LA being superseded by Consumer electronics shows.
When the giants of an industry start recognizing the writing on the wall, it forces all of us to at least start looking up the new table of contents.
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