CIO Predictions for 2014

This year, I thought I would shift the focus from cloud-specific to the broader agenda for CIOs. But before I jump into my predictions for 2014, let’s take a trip down memory lane and review how I did on Cloud Predictions for 2013.

How did I do?

1. Rise of the Cloud Verticals: We have seen an uptick of ‘cloud brokers’ but very little in the way of cloud verticals targeting specific industries or suite of services. There has been a feeble attempt at integration between solutions, but even that was lukewarm at best in 2013. (1/2pt)
2. Widespread Planning of IaaS Migrations: Spot on with this one! Over 2013, the number of IT organizations planning IaaS migrations stepped up in a big way. That’s great news for the IT organization, the business units and the industry as a whole. It demonstrates progress along the maturity continuum. (1pt)
3. CIO’s Look to Cloud to Catapult IT Transformation: This has been a mixed bag. Many have leveraged cloud because they were forced into it rather than see it as one of the most significant opportunities of our time. There are exceptions to this, but they are not as prominent yet. (1/2pt)
4. Mobile Increases Intensity of Cloud Adoption: Mobile is taking off like wildfire. And cloud is enabling the progress, as traditional methods would simply be too challenging and slow. (1pt)
5. Cloud Innovation Shifts from New Solutions to Integration & Consolidation: Over 2013, the number of new solutions has progressed at a feverish pitch. The good indicator is that new solutions are taking into account the requirement of integration with solutions within their ecosystem. While consolidation within cloud providers started to pickup in the 2^nd half of 2013, I would expect it to increase into 2014. (1pt)

Total Score: 4/5

Overall, slower general adoption of cloud paired with strong adoption of specific cloud solutions lead to 2013’s progress. I had hoped to see us further along…but alas, 2014 is shaping up to be a very interesting year.

What to look for in 2014?

1. Cloud Consolidation: Look for plenty of M&A activity as larger incumbents gobble cloud point solutions up. Also look for incumbents to flesh out their ecosystem more fully.
2. CIOs Focus on Data: Conversations move beyond the next bell or whistle and onto items that really change the economic landscape for a company: data. Look for the CIO to shift focus to data and away from infrastructure.
3. Colocation is in Vogue: As the CIO moves up the maturity model toward higher-value functions, look for IT organizations to move to colocation in droves. The challenge will be moving before it’s too late.
4. CIO, CMO + Other Execs Become Best Friends: We’ve talked for some time about how the CIO strives for a ‘seat at the table’. The challenge is in how to be a relevant participant at the table. As the CIO role shifts from support org to business driver, look for the relationships to change too.
5. One Size Does NOT Fit All: As we talk about newer technologies, CIOs, IT organizations, vendors and service providers get realistic about where their products/ services fit best…and don’t. OpenStack and HP Moonshot are great examples of awesome solutions that fit this statement.

As I’ve said before, this has got to be the best time to work in Information Technology. How will you embrace and leverage change? Here’s to an awesome 2014!