Recently, several lists and surveys have sought to predict the tools and strategies that will play the critical dual role of supporting business strategy while boosting company revenue. These lists offer a “sneak peek” at which technologies many CIOs and top IT executives will be implementing and/or expanding over the next three years.According to technology research firm Gartner, Inc., its 2009 list focuses on technologies that “… impact the organization’s long-term plans, programs and initiatives.”
 

Although they may be labeled differently, several technologies appear on both notable lists above, which is a strong indication they should be given serious implementation consideration. Here are the technologies that overlap:

• Virtualization: Though definitions vary depending upon the type of virtualization, essentially this technology allows one computer or application to do the work of several.
• Web/Internet Apps and Architectures: As the need for the interoperability of applications increases, so will the need to build Web-centric applications to meet global needs.
• Social Networking: When it comes to this technology, Gartner says the “risk lies in failure to engage and thereby, being left mute in a dialogue where your voice must be heard.”
• Unified Communications: As consolidation continues in the communications industry, so will a company’s reliance on fewer vendors.