For consumers today, and business tomorrow [BT broadband office]

For consumers today, and business tomorrow

Posted 10 January 2008 at 8:21AM by Ian Betteridge in Doing business online

One of the more interesting trends in technology is a shift in the balance of power between business and consumers over who determines what technologies become successful.

Back in the 1980's, computers and their associated technology were largely for businesses, and the standards that were in use in business became the standards everywhere.

Consider, for example, the PC itself. When the first IBM PC arrived, businesses flocked to buy it in part because it was from a familiar and trusted name. Once it was established in business, home users bought them so they could use a machine compatible with work. Thus, business led consumers.

Now, however, some kinds of technology trend are working the other way round - especially in the world of small business. Take Apple's iPhone for example. Although it supports standard POP and IMAP email, it doesn't directly support Microsoft Exchange. Yet such has been the popularity of the phone in the US that more and more companies are offering at least tacit support for it - something which could have long term implications for the kinds of email supported in the enterprise.

There are many other examples, from flat-panel LCD displays to low-cost voice over IP where consumers have been the early adopters while business eventually follows. You might not be installing the largest flat screen TV in your office, but some of the other technologies on the high street are worth keeping an eye on.

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Tags: bt, bt broadbandoffice, ibm, iphone, microsoft exchange

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Comments

1. At January 10, 2008 12:40 PM, J G Dawson wrote:

In my experience business can't always jump at the first sight of new technology - wisely preferring in many cases to wait awhile before spending hard earned bucks on what might be no more than a flash in the pan - It seems only right to me that the consumer dip a toe in the water first - they've often got more disposable income than the average UK business and can thus afford to be more reckless...

2. At January 10, 2008 4:26 PM, Ian Betteridge wrote:

That's very true - if my iPhone turns out to be a dud, I have only wasted my own money rather than my company's.

3. At January 15, 2008 10:23 AM, James wrote:

Windows Vista came in and I found it very difficult to find a small business PC with XP as an operating system. PC World told me they only supplied computers with Vista.

This morning I received a mail shot from PC World saying that they were now offering XP again in their Computers. Dell are now offering XP again in their Business Computers.

Many businesses do not need all the add ons that vista provides - Many office tasks only require a basic system at a basic cost.

James

BT broadband office