At the end of the twentieth century the most complex, sophisticated, multi-user software was in the enterprise. Banks, insurance companies, manufacturing and logistics.Since then, the tables have turned - dramatically. The most amazing multi-user software is now outside the enterprise. Facebook, eBay, Amazon, World of Warcraft, Google Docs and yes Twitter. It goes further than just being on desktops, this highly evolved collaborative software extends out to millions of mobile devices.
But, here's the thing, the upcoming generation, the "digital natives", are growing up with this new software and expect all software to be fast, live, and truly collaborative.
When these new workers arrive in the enterprise their expectations of what software can do will not be met by what they find there. They will be deeply disappointed by the quality, usability and sophistication of enterprise IT.
We enterprise developers face a challenge that comes from our children's generation. The way we think about punch cards today is nothing compared to the disdain that they will feel about our efforts.
The challenge is to bring the best of the web collaborative experience inside, or perhaps it's better to just de-enterprise IT?
The questions that needs to be answered are what value to businesses do todays wiz bang experiences like twitter bring to the enterprise or B2B system integration?
ReplyDeleteWill it allow employees to be more productive or less productive? Will it allow the companies to generate additional revenue or reduce expense?
Does it make sense for an order processing system to sent out a twitter update when an order status changes?
"When these new workers arrive in the enterprise their expectations of what software can do will not be met by what they find there. They will be deeply disappointed by the quality, usability and sophistication of enterprise IT."My take on the quality, usability and sophistication (and lack of) of enterprise IT is down to one thing in particular; a severe lack of passion.
ReplyDeleteSoftware engineers working for some of the companies you mentioned, you, me, the colleagues that we tend to stay in touch with (fellow geeks), have that one quality generally: passion. In short, we like what we do. IMHO it is the passion that leads to the quality, usability and sophistication that you cited.
We plainly need to nurture more passion within enterprise IT.