Get in on the Gartner Hype: Emerging Technologies 2008

Gartner has released its latest Hype Cycle Research Report: Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies, 2008 . Of the 27 technologies they list as emerging technologies over the next few years, they predict that technologies like cloud computing, social computing, SOA and Web 2.0 will find their place in organizations within the next 2-5 years.Every year Gartner takes the time to identify the emerging technology trends and keep us up to date on what technologies we should be closely looking at for our organizations. The report is authored by Jackie Fenn, vice president and Gartner Fellow, who also happens to be authoring a new book out in October called: Mastering the Hype Cycle: How to Adopt the Right Innovation at the Right Time. The Hype Cycle is an interesting view of how technologies are growing in importance or disappearing because they are becoming obsolete for one reason or another. Here is the Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies, 2008 -- it encompasses where Gartner believes particular technologies will be over the next 10 years.

Hype Cycle for 2008

Technologies Expected to Plateau in 2-5 years

The Plateau of Productivity is the final stage in the Gartner Hype Cycle. It's here that they see a number of technologies finally gaining full acceptance and being highly used within organizations.

Green IT

It's not easy being green, but IT seems to have a responsibility to get there. Whether it's pressure from society or industry initiatives, Gartner believes now is the time to improve. Green IT is currently sitting at the Peak of Inflated Expectations -- it has a way to go.

Cloud Computing

Also sitting close to the Peak of Inflated Expectations is Cloud Computing - something everyone talks about and every vendor wants in on. According to Gartner, "with the result that confusion and hype will continue for at least another year before distinct submarkets and market leaders emerge."

Social Computing Platforms

No surprise to see this one coming up fast. Although currently hanging out in the Trough of Disillusionment, Social Computing Platforms for the enterprise will survive once organizations really start to understand how to implement them properly. The platforms will continue to grow beyond the basic social network as well into full-blown application platforms.

MicroBlogging

New to the list this year is Microblogging by the likes of Twitter, FriendFeed and Plurk. "The phenomenon has caught on among certain online communities, and leading-edge companies are investigating its role in enhancing other social media and channels." It will be very interesting to see how this one plays out.

Other Notables Expected to Plateau

Over the next 2-5 years expect to see a few other technologies find their place: * Service Oriented Business Applications * Web 2.0 * SOA * Wikis * Social Network Analysis

How Things Have and Haven't Changed

Here's a quick view of the Hype Cycle from last year. Although Gartner says you can't see exact flow from one year to the next, it is interesting to compare where some emerging technologies were then and where they are now.

Hype Cycle for 2007

Some technologies like Web 2.0, SOA and wikis haven't moved much, and mashups have either disappeared or been renamed. The Hype Cycle is an interesting read and you can gain insight into technologies you should be considering. If you are one of those organizations who is unhappy with the way Web 2.0, mashups and social networking solutions are rolling out for you, then this research report should give you hope that you can make them work and that others are trying just as hard as you to find the best way to incorporate them.