Gartner: CIOs cannot ignore innovation in economic downturn

By Victor Ng | Jan 7, 2009

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Chief information officers (CIOs) in the Asia Pacific region will need to balance innovation with frugality, ensure that sustainability does not drop off the agenda, and create a direct link between information technology (IT) and the organization’s revenue in 2009, according to technology research and advisory firm Gartner.

At Gartner’s annual ‘Predicts 2009’ briefing in Hong Kong this month, three of the research firm’s leading analysts will present the latest technology trends and advice to help senior IT executives with their planning for 2009. The ‘Gartner Predicts 2009’ briefings will be held in six cities in Asia in January 2009.

Six months ago, Hong Kong’s Gross domestic product (GDP) growth for 2008-2009 was forecast at 6%. As at mid-November 2008, Hong Kong’s GDP growth forecast had been lowered to 2.4%, and the outlook is expected to have worsened further since then. This will affect IT spending, according to Gartner, although the impact in Asia Pacific will not be as severe as in other regions, and the level of impact varies by country and industry.

Gartner will issue an updated, detailed IT spending forecast for the region in early 2009.

Gartner’s Top 10 Predictions for 2009
Gartner research director Robin Simpson said that as businesses come to terms with the new realities, technologies that bring improved efficiency and reduce costs remain attractive.

“Technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, but global economic conditions will significantly impact business uptake in 2009. Hong Kong has exposure to the impact of the credit crisis as a trade-dependent economy. In addition, recent events have shaken consumer confidence,” said Mr. Simpson.

“However, organizations that postpone essential technology deployments do so at their peril. Technologies like virtualization and emerging trends like cloud computing offer new efficiencies and reduce the need for capital expenditure. At the same time, consumer technologies continue to advance into the enterprise and the impact of internet-based video and telepresence in business cannot be ignored.”

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