Gartner comes out with 100 IT tips

Software-as-a-service (Saas), end-user preference in using software and hardware, and environmental criteria while buying IT-related goods, including the need to prove their green credentials, are some of the events and developments that will affect IT and business in 2008 and beyond.

These predictions are part of 100 predictions that Gartner, an information technology research and advisory company, presents and reviews every year.

The predictions highlight areas where executives and IT professionals need to take action in 2008.

The full impact of these trends may not appear this year, but executives need to act now so that they can exploit the trends for their competitive advantage.

Among the highlighted 10 key predictions of events and developments that will affect IT and business, the report notes that Apple will double its US and Europe unit market share in computers.

"Apple is challenging its competitors with software integration that provides ease of use and flexibility; continuous and more frequent innovation in hardware and software; and an ecosystem that focuses on interpretability across multiple devices (such as iPod and iMac cross-selling)," says the report.

Even though notebooks continue to shrink in size and weight, travelling workers lament the weight and inconvenience of carrying them on their trips.

"These areas of focus imply a significant groundswell of change that may in turn change the entire industry. Selected from across our research areas as the most compelling and critical predictions, the trends and topics they address this year indicate a strong focus on individuals, the environment, and alternative ways of buying and selling IT services and technologies," said Daryl Plummer, managing vice president and Gartner Fellow.