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Technology is abundant and prevalent at least in the industrialised world. A lot of the available power lay hidden in corporate server farms. Corporate licensing schemes have deployed much powerful framework/foundational technologies inside corporations like Microsoft Sharepoint. These systems are loaded with more features and potential than are actually exploited. And the same licensing schemes often lock these corporations into having these tools for years to come.
So let’s leverage this hidden potential! To link previously separate data silos, ease decision making, reveal hidden patterns in information, facilitate knowledge creation and dissemination, enable collaboration...
Vendors like Microsoft train many technically skilled system administrators and application developers to deploy technologies like Sharepoint. But these developers often lack the softer sides of UI, UX and design that is needed to encourage these complex infrastructures to sprout truly usable and fun applications. The complexity demands a frontline focus on technical competency rather than human factors when it comes to implementation.
The opportunities lie around making Sharepoint and other infrastructural frameworks work in a more humane and accessible way. This means bringing in designers, interaction experts, and so forth. Let add some desirability!
There is great opportunity for solution architects who can easily straddle the rational/technical and emotive/touch (plus business understanding) necessary to leverage these technologies fully.
Just like there is a expertise gap between graphic designers and web developers, there is also a gap between web developers and Sharepoint developers. Those who can bridge this gap successfully have an opportunity now to thrive.
There’s also opportunity in new training methods.
Generally, there will be ongoing demand for training on how to use the myriad of software tools we already have of course.The next breakthrough in technical training could be some new methods that is more in alignment with the on-demand lifestyle today? Learn just what you need to know when you need to know. That would be a cool new training model for busy people who are forever running out of time!
Other underutilised foundational technologies like wikis and forums.
These powerful technologies are still largely underutilised. There is much work required still to make these more accessible to the everyday user, as well as work needed for leaders to understand the value of these technologies and to champion them in their organisations.
Many organisations are still relying on email to collaborate and share files in an ad-hoc way, resulting in confusion, redundant information and lost knowledge. Wikis, forums and customised variants like Basecamp can go a long way towards mitigating this black-hole of knowledge that is email; IF the usability, understanding and commitment are there.
