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12 May 2004
 In a relatively short time, information technology has become a fundamental component of nearly every business in the world today. It has already radically changed the way that most public and private sector organisations operate, and its potential for driving more change into the future remains practically limitless. But even with this enormous potential, the industry faces many challenges of a very different nature from years gone by. A growing range of digital menaces, ranging from identity theft and fraud to viruses and worms, is battering the public?s trust of IT, threatening its ongoing development. Universities are struggling to attract newcomers to computer science, with students concerned about entering an increasingly commoditised market. Elsewhere, the role of government in shaping the development of IT has to be more carefully defined. The Computing Agenda Setters initiative has been introduced to discuss these and other broader challenges that face the industry. From chief information officers and IT directors to legal and venture capital experts, we have invited a wide range of thinkers from both the public and private sector to contribute to the debate. The questions we propose are broad, forming the basis for a wider debate. Does IT matter? Nicholas Carr's infamous article is just one of many that question the future of IT. Some believe we have reached the end of IT's growth and development phase. However, for most businesses, IT is only just beginning to deliver on some of its radical promises. 'The digital age allows us to develop and sustain increasing-returns models, with lower barriers to entry and exit. Innovation rules. That doesn't sound like a utility to me,' said Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein global chief information officer (CIO) JP Rangaswami. Can we ever trust IT? The issue of trust has become one of the central challenges facing the industry today. Businesses are cynical about technology, while many people simply don't trust computers. 'There comes a point when the answers to certain big questions become fundamental to the future direction and health of every industry or company. For the IT Industry, this is that point,' said eBookers head of e-solutions Obi Nwosu. How do we attract the brightest and best into IT ? and keep them? If we believe the future of business and government is inextricably linked to technology, then how do we ensure that we have access to the best people that the UK has to offer? 'I have spoken in the past about the need to attract and retain people with the right skills and attitude to meet today's IT challenges. After all, technology is a direct function of the people who work on it,' said Egg CIO Tom Ilube. What role, if any, should the government play in supporting IT? There is a political consensus that IT will play a vital role in the future of UK Plc. But does the government have any role in supporting the development of the IT sector? Its dual role as the largest buyer of technology, and in holding the incentives to stimulate research and development puts it in a unique and crucial position for the industry. How can organisations bridge the gap between IT and the enterprise? Studies of IT failures show that a lack of communication between departments is often the crucial factor that goes wrong. It is imperative for IT leaders to communicate in a manner that is relevant to the rest of the business. 'I believe that the role and importance of IT in shaping and delivering business strategies in the UK has never been more prominent,' said British Airways CIO Paul Coby. Some of our panel members... and what they think JP Rangaswami, global chief information officer, Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein 'As commoditisation moves up the OSI stack, the need for innovation as a basis for differentiation increases, placing a premium on sustainable and transparent value delivery. The only winners will be those firms where business and IT work very closely together to create disruptive models.'Ned Booth, managing director, Travelocity 'We are excited about this initiative - it's a great way to ensure that issues across the world of technology are explored from a variety of different perspectives.' Tom Ilube, chief information officer, Egg 'It is important for the IT industry to work together and the Computing Agenda Setters that is a welcome starting point for this. I am looking forward to contributing to the debate.' Paul Coby, chief information officer, British Airways 'I am delighted to be asked to join Computing's Agenda Setters group. I believe that the role and importance of IT in shaping and delivering business strategies in the UK has never been more prominent.' Jeff Rodwell, partner and member of the venture & technology group, Reed Smith 'I have a particular interest in achieving improved quality and efficiency in IT processes and contracts and ensuring business and IT congruence. I am pleased to be able to provide my input on a group that can shape the thinking behind IT initiatives for the future.' Bundeep Singh-Rangar, chief operating officer and founder, Ariadne Capital 'I hope to provide a unique perspective by anticipating how technology sectors will succeed through convergence and adoption of disruptive forces in existing industries.' Richard Adams, senior VP: EMEA, Sabre 'The editorial board concept will provide new insights to a range of industry issues that desperately need debating. I'm looking forward to being involved.' Chris Moyer, chief technology officer, EDS 'IT has moved from a topic that only a few discussed to one that is on the minds of parents, educators, business executives and government officials.' John Lyons, crime reduction co-ordinator, National Hi-Tech Crime Unit 'I am looking forward to sharing with your readers, the experience we have gained from our investigations and to adding value and contributing to the debate on how we can best secure UK Internet users from computer-enabled crime.' Nick Masterton-Jones, IT programmes director, BACS 'Agenda Setters has the potential to be a great initiative - it recognises the huge benefits we can all secure for exchanging ideas and lessons learnt with peers and across sectors.' Paul Heighway, head of IT, Amadeus 'I am delighted to participate in the programme. I look forward to sharing my knowledge of IT in the travel and aviation industry in what will be a stimulating discussion forum.' Trevor Didcock, CIO, The AA 'This is an excellent initiative. In this industry, there are skills, knowledge and experience that can be shared between large and small organisations, private and public sector bodies, users and practitioners to the benefit of all.' Some of the other key names on board our initiative Richard Granger, Director general of NHS IT, Department of Health Peter Lowe, director: information management and technology unit, Home Office Bill Gibbons, IT director for technology services and support, Abbey Kevin Lloyd, chief technology officer, Barclays David Lester, CIO, London Stock Exchange Ian Butterworth, Managing Director, Norwich Union Central Services Professor Wendy Hall, president of the BCS Maggie Miller, CIO, Sainsbury's Peter Stafford, IT director, Bank of Ireland Gareth Lofthouse, European director for executive services, Economist Intelligence Unit Steven Clarke, head of technology investments, Kleinwort Capital Keith Wilman, president and chief executive, CSC UK Dana Gordon-Davis, corporate finance executive, CSTIM CFAS Obi Nwosu, head of e-solutions, eBookers
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Copyright 2008 Ariadne Capital Ltd, All Rights Reserved |
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