(2003-07-03) Ozzie Mobility

Ray Ozzie points to Tim OReilly and discusses "Extreme Mobility". Usage mobility and infrastructure mobility and participant mobility, Interface Mobility, Data Mobility, Metadata Mobility, Application Mobility. Five different architectures. If technology, molded into forms such that teams of individuals can virtually and dynamically assemble into highly productive organizational units (Group Forming), what will ultimately happen to the large-scale enterprise (BigCo)? In what industries will the mega-corporation continue to exist as a large scale employer, versus being more-or-less an aggregator and connector of highly productive smaller companies (SmallCo)? Regardless, one thing seems certain: with the notable exception of a small number of truly visionary CIO's such as the one mentioned above - exceptional individuals who are willing to move their enterprises forward by taking risks - discovery and innovation in mobility and interpersonal productivity & communications - in "relationship superconductivity" - is being driven primarily from "the edge": from small businesses, organizations and individuals (Free Agent, One Man Show) who are experimenting with new communications technologies and software. Innovation now works its way into the enterprise; it no longer migrates outward. The technology leaders of the past - enterprise IT - are now focused (for very good economic reason!!) on cost reduction and efficiency, on "fast solutions", and on a very tough regulatory environment, through strict controls. Liability, and the sheer mass and difficulty of managing broad ICT deployments encourages conservatism, and this won't be changing anytime soon. The new leader in ICT is the fast-moving, pragmatic yet open minded ultra-small business or virtual organization. And you.