Yesterday I discussed that I felt the decline of the PC was related strongly to the decline of Corporate IT. But what does it mean for your career, my fellow progeek? I figured I'd collect my random thoughts to see if it gave you ideas, or caused panic. Or something.
For Developers:
- Your applications are going to have to be on multiple platforms and that means multiple deals and distributions.
- Anyone who can simplify multiple distributions can make a lot of money.
- You're going to inevitably need to know multiple languages in this environment – or one language that you can port.
- Simplicity, usability, and ease of updates are paramount.
- I see a future of web applications, but they'll need to have parallel apps.
- I expect more and more "appization" to happen to web apps, with possible changes as HTML 5 perpetuates.
- You're delivering product. Keep that in mind.
- With the ability to get apps out so easy, I see having some "project" in the wild becoming not a requirement for a job, but let us just say a very, very good idea that might as well be one.
For Tech Support:
- People are going to expect your tech support to be as good as anything else out there.
- Automating and speeding up tech support is paramount.
- People are going to be less patient.
- Being able to drop off something and go – and get a replacement or get it back fast – is important.
- People are going to expect more "human" relations.
- With changes to tech support, there may be an opportunity for people who can orchestrate it to fit the current trends.
For Hardware:
- Ease of use and endurance are going to have to go hand-in hand.
- People will want something that can be easily repaired or traded in.
- For that matter, make it easier to fix, swap parts out, or replace for engineers.
- I see e-recycling is going to get bigger and bigger (and in time may shift demographics of manufacturing). This might be a viable career area.
For Training:
- If you train, in theory your job will get easier.
- In reality, training now means having to encompass several choices and options.
- Training can be baked into apps and devices if done right – and that will probably be expected.
- As ease-of-use of devices becomes paramount, training will need to shift. "Startup" won't be as important as optimizing, maximizing, and being aware.
For Users of Any Kind:
- You're going to have a lot of options.
- You probably have more power than you realize at your fingertips.
- Being able to know your options and show wise choices and usage may be good in your career.
For Corporate IT:
- Move into a role of approving and managing choices, services, and standards.
Any more thoughts?