Editorial: Change Is The Only Constant

TM Arun Kumar is the Executive Editor of the Indian ChannelWorld

A year ago if someone told you that Lehman Brothers’ days are numbered, AIG will soon be bailed out, or General Motors and Ford will be on the brink of bankruptcy, you would have laughed. Yet, that’s precisely what has happened. In today’s uncertain world, not even marquee names are assured of survival.

Welcome to 2009 where companies are under increasing pressure to reinvent themselves and constantly change their business models just to stay along with the rest of the pack. And to stay ahead of the pack, you probably need to do much more.

The technology industry is no different and the same principles apply to it as well, if not more. Disruptive technologies come up at regular intervals creating havoc with the companies’ existing business models, breaking down the current market structure, and forcing them to reinvent themselves. IBM had to change from primarily being a hardware company to more of a software and services firm. Apple had to reinvent itself first with the help of iMac and then the iPod, and now the iPhone. Linux came and shook up the entire UNIX space.

Now with the arrival of disruptive technologies like cloud computing and software as a service (Saas), which are fast becoming the flavor of the season, companies are again forced to reinvent themselves. As a result, almost every large or small technology vendor is now forced to come out with its cloud strategy. So, out goes the traditional license fee-based revenue and in comes the pay-per-use model. Do they like it? Of course, not. But, do they have to? Of course, yes.

Like it or not, this has been the way the technology industry has evolved. A quick look at history will tell you that companies that have been unable to read the changing signs or unwilling to adapt to the new rules of the game have become history. Lotus, once the size of mighty Microsoft, was gobbled up by IBM more than a decade ago. Netscape, once the king of the browser world, is now a part of AOL. And there are many more.

This is not just limited to technology vendors. Even solution providers — systems integrators, value added resellers (VARs), etc, — are affected by it and, they need to constantly tweak or change their business models to be on top of the game. More so during these troubled times. They need to work closely with their customers to understand their requirements and recommend and sell solutions that meet their needs and provide the best value. Merely pushing boxes would not be enough.

And as the solution providers move up the value chain, we will be there with them at every step to help them with their needs for more knowledge, a better perspective, and greater insight. So, we have changed ourselves too and it is not just cosmetic in nature — size and periodicity — but also better content to bring a fresh perspective into the business of technology.

As you browse through the pages and read through the various articles, interviews, and opinions, you will realize that the content is tailor-made for the solution providers and to satisfy their need and desire for relevant content. Write in to let us know how you like the revamped ChannelWorld and do give us your valuable suggestions and feedback.