http://www.booz.com/it-foresight Highlighting our latest thinking on creating competitive advantage through information technology, now and in the future. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:25:40 -0600 http://www.booz.com/media/image/boozco-logo_for_rss.gif http://www.booz.com/it-foresight 88 30 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00015?gko=8fe7a The typical large retail IT environment is dauntingly complex. Stores are spread far and wide, IT infrastructures and application portfolios are often outdated, and multiple sales channels make integration difficult. To become more efficient and effective, retail IT departments must overcome their fear of outsourcing, create workable demand management solutions, and rationalize both their application portfolios and underlying infrastructure. By Tim Blansett, Namit Kapoor, Denton Newham and Michael Horvath Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00015?gko=8fe7a http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00014?gko=06d25 Manufacturers of PCs for the enterprise face an uncertain future. Prices are dropping dramatically, cloud computing and consumer-friendly devices will reduce the centrality of the client PC, and always-on mobility will become the default mode. Every player with a stake in the enterprise PC market--including PC makers, software vendors, providers of cloud services, telecom operators, and corporate CIOs--must be ready with a game plan for the future. By Gregor Harter, Barry Jaruzelski, Alex Koster and Vanessa Hyde Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00014?gko=06d25 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00013?gko=bd588 His Excellency Rashed Al Mansoori, the director general of the Abu Dhabi Systems & Information Centre (ADSIC) and CIO of the Abu Dhabi government, is leading the emirate's efforts to develop cutting-edge e-government. In this special video interview, His Excellency discusses the challenges of driving technology-enabled change in a rapidly developing region, outlines some of the program's major successes, and reflects on how CIOs can help lead major change management efforts. Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00013?gko=bd588 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00012?gko=51da2 The best way to boost your IT organization's effectiveness and agility, our recent survey shows, is to improve the flow of information within the organization and to clarify decision rights. Making sure information flows freely throughout the IT department is especially helpful in improving the organization's ability to react to changing circumstance, a critical capability in a fast-changing economic climate. Clarifying who has responsibility for which decisions matters most in ensuring that the organization can carry out its mission successfully. How well does your IT organization perform these critical functions? By Hugo Trepant, and Martin Roets Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00012?gko=51da2 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00010a?gko=5fa1f In a world overrun with marketing messages, the next wave of marketing technology will cut through the clutter, building automated marketing campaigns that address your customer's wants and needs individually. The result: greater customer intimacy, improved loyalty, and higher revenues. Moving quickly will gain real competitive advantage for you, so start planning for the future now. Here is how. By Klaus Hölbling, Olaf Acker, and Florian Gröne Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00010a?gko=5fa1f http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00009?gko=50bbd How can CIOs best respond to the current downturn and prepare for the coming recovery? The usual tactic--cutting discretionary spending--isn't enough. Instead, CIOs must attack their fixed costs by transforming them into variable costs, while placing smart, affordable bets on projects that will produce real near-term results through improvements in both technology and processes. By Eduardo Alvarez & Louise Fletcher Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00009?gko=50bbd http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00008?gko=8cba9 Booz & Company's data center experts suggest several specific areas in which data center operations can be improved, including better utilization of data center assets through a deeper understanding of how and when data center resources are consumed; restructuring the data center's operating model for increased efficiency; development of a global sourcing strategy for data center services; and devising a demand-driven operational model that rationalizes both platforms and products. By Stefan Stroh, Dr. Germar Schröder and Dr. Florian Gröne Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00008?gko=8cba9 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00007?gko=81904 The economic crisis has taught organisations a critical lesson: Only by focusing on long-term value can they ensure their survival during difficult times--and be ready to change when the opportunity or the need arises. By Peter Burns, Michael Neutens, Daniel Newman, and Tim Power Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00007?gko=81904 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00006?gko=f0243 This month, IT Foresight explores the heavily debated and mystified concept of cloud computing. We compare the pros and cons of the Cloud and how each organization should begin to view Cloud Computing. What makes a compelling cases for moving to the Cloud, and what must an organization watch out for when evaluating Cloud Computing? The Cloud should be on every CIO's radar, but how should CIOs time their organization's move, given the Cloud's risks and benefits? By Stefan Stroh, Olaf Acker, and Aneesh Kumar Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00006?gko=f0243 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00003?gko=06c44 Rob Carter, Global CIO of FedEx, said his greatest challenge is using IT to maintain Fedex's competitive advantage over its aggressive rivals. To that end, he discusses how FedEx has undertaken a major renewal of its technology architecture in hopes of reducing complexity and increasing connectivity. Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00003?gko=06c44 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00002?gko=fc98c The current recession is different from ordinary downturns, and it will change the operating landscape of many industries forever. In response, businesses are significantly altering both their operating models and their portfolios. IT organizations, and the CIOs who lead them, must take on a key role in pushing change and supporting the business through this transition. By Mike Cooke, Kumar Krishnamurthy, and Jordan Milner Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00002?gko=fc98c http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00005?gko=3b9bc On January 7, 2009, Satyam announced that it had been cooking the books for almost seven years and it had claimed $1 billion in cash that did not exist. Founder and chairman B. Ramalinga Raju initially said that he had falsified the profits to avoid losing control of the company. However, recent investigations indicate Raju may have skimmed the money directly from the company. Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00005?gko=3b9bc http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00004?gko=85405 Allegations of accounting fraud at Indian IT and business process outsourcer Satyam have raised serious concerns for CIOs who have outsourced large portions of their IT operations, both to Satyam and other firms. For those companies working with Satyam, the most pressing question is whether or not Satyam will survive. While its future status is unclear, the firm will certainly struggle to make the investments necessary to generate new client relationships and for R&D and staff development. By Vinay Couto and Suvojoy Sengupta Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00004?gko=85405 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00000?gko=cc566 Booz & Company understands the importance of strategic thinking for IT decision makers. So we have created IT Foresight--a series of IT-related publications covering a range of industries, trends and solutions--to share our insights with you directly. IT Foresight is aimed at IT executives and their colleagues who lead all parts of the business, and who are looking for fresh, provocative thinking about the role of information technology in boosting efficiency, creating agility and fostering growth. Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.booz.com/global/home/what_we_do/services/it/IT-Foresight/itf-Article/itfs-00000?gko=cc566