I saw a great video from Cisco this morning. The fact it’s from Cisco isn’t really relevant (indeed, if I showed it without the last few seconds you woudn’t know) but it’s a great example of how IT is shaping the world that we live in (or, maybe, how the world we live in is driving technology):

In case you can’t see the video above, here are some of the key statistics it contains:

• Humans created more data in 2009 alone than in all previous years combined.
• Over the last 15 years, network speeds have increased 18 million times.
• Information is moving to the cloud; 8/10 IT Managers plan to use cloud computing within the next 3 years.
• By 2015, tools and automation will eliminate 25% of IT labour hours.
• We’re using multiple devices: by 2015 there will be nearly one mobile-connected device for every person on earth.
• 2/3 of employees believe they should be able to access information using company-issued devices at any time, at any location.
• 60% believe they don’t need to be in an office to be productive.
• This is creating entirely new forms of collaboration.
• “The real impact of the information revolution isn’t about information management but on relationships; the ability to allow not dozens, or hundreds, but thousands of people to meaningfully interact” [Dr Michael Schrage, MIT].
• By 2015 companies will generate 50% of web sales via their social presence and mobile applications.
• Social business software will become a $5bn business by 2013.
• Who sits at the centre of all this? Who is managing these exponential shifts? The CIO.

Of course, we might expect to see many of these figures cited by a company selling social collaboration software and networking equipment but they are a good indication of the way things are heading.  I would place more emphasis on empowered employees and customers redefining IT provisioning (BYO, for example); on everything as a service (XaaS) changing the IT delivery model, on the need for a new architecture to manage the “app Internet”; and on big data – which will be a key theme for the next few years.

Whatever the technologies underpinning the solution – the overall direction is for IT to provide business services that add value and enhance business agility rather than simply being part of “the cost of doing business” – maybe we need more videos like this to help us think about the possibilities?