Predictions for 2013

Despite being a technical professional and owning and operating my own software company, I still can't do my car repairs.  This allows me to spend some time at the local car repair shop talking with other people who can't fix their cars.  The conversations inevitably turn to our careers, and when others find out that I run a technology company, they ask what they can expect from the tech world.  I tell them that my opinions are not gospel but that I have a pretty good idea about what is coming up in the immediate future.  In the spirit of looking forward to the New Year this week, I want to make some predictions.  Hopefully, I will not look too foolish when some of my predictions don't come true.

In 2012, there were two major trends that could not be ignored: first, the rise of mobile computing, and finally, the ascent of the cloud as a computing platform.  When I first discussed the subject in earnest back in December 2011, I was looking at a trend that was starting to grow.  Now, you cannot go anywhere without hearing the term cloud.  People have even started developing myths about cloud-based computing.  For 2013, I continue to see this trend grow, and it is a perfect opportunity for a firm like mine to help small and medium-sized businesses learn to compete with the big boys. 

Next, the line between mobile computing and desktop computing is blurred.  This has driven all sorts of changes in 2012.  More and more of us get our information over phones and tablet devices so web developers, technologists, and even CIO's and learning if they are going to survive they will have to adapt to this mobile world.  Again, this major trend in the industry finds this firm perfectly positioned to deal with the situation.  Our applications must work on computers, smartphones, and tablets; otherwise, we are doing a disservice to our customers.  I also feel that young people are even more comfortable with mobile technology than current business leaders, so if we are going to tap this customer market, we will have to build the software they will use.  Microsoft with Windows 8 is a massive gamble on this front, and while the news wasn't good early going I think they are perfectly positioned for a renaissance in the coming year.

Here are some other predictions that might occur in the New Year. 

• Cash is not going away:  We have all seen the articles about how debit cards, NCF, and Google Wallet will make cash obsolete.  Don't count on it.  We will need cash for nightclubbing, casinos, children's lemonade stands, and groceries.  Cash will become less critical, but it will not become obsolete. 
• Agile will continue to grow in the startup community and face obstacles in established businesses:  I am running into this problem now in my day job.  Business leaders for large firms are frightened by the cultural and organizational changes necessary to make Agile work, so it will take startups and big dogs like Facebook, Google, and IBM to show them how it is done.  Until a company fully embraces Agile and starts squashing the competition, there will be a deep reluctance from other large firms.  Then, it will be up to us to deal with the copycats.
• QR Codes and MS Tag will find a home- in logistics and manufacturing:  QR codes and Microsoft tags come from manufacturing. They will return to their roots because marketing firms have been horrible at using these technologies.  I am pretty proud that we are leading this trend.
• E3 systems will expand our focus:  We will continue to support and market our Sully 2.0 software, but we are branching out with other software offerings.  We will also start providing Business Solutions Architecture for small and medium-sized businesses.   I will talk more about Business Solutions Architecture in our next blog. 
• Finally, E3 systems will continue to be a partner in the Agile Community on Google+ and a member of the Microsoft Application Lifecycle Management community:  We learn so much from these groups and in exchange it is nice to share my wisdom with them so we will have a continuing partnership with them.  

This last year has not turned out like we expected.  However, I am deeply grateful for the experiences and support we have received from the community.  I hope that 2013 is a breakthrough year for us and that you will be able to share it with us. 

Until next time.