Software is the great enabler

Technology is having a dramatic effect on the expectations of consumers who expect faster, more personalised digital experiences and 24

/7 access on all devices, EMC has said.

The US multinational, which manufactures information management and storage software systems, said organisations need to redefine themselves and adopt a digital mindset, in order to embrace disruption and be prepared.

"Eightynine per cent of the Fortune 500 companies from 1955 don't exist today. They were driven out of business by disruption in their industry," David Goulden, chief executive of EMC Information Infrastructure, said.

Speaking at EMC World in Las Vegas, Mr Goulden said more than seven billion people will connect to the Internet using 30 billion devices by 2020.

“But we don’t have to go all the way to 2020. Advances in nanotechnology mean sensors can be embedded in anything”.

“In this connected world software will be the key enabler. For us, software is not just about the killer app, it’s also about enabling devices with it”.

At the company’s annual show in Las Vegas, EMC announced “Project Horizon” – a next-generation content platform and apps marketplace – to help IT directors and businesses drive their digital agenda, strengthen their competitive advantage, and harness the untapped value of business content.

The Project Horizon marketplace will be curated by EMC, including both EMC-built and partner-built apps and solutions.

Digital workplace

Rohit Ghai

, president of EMC’s enterprise content division said digital enterprises are moving away from monolithic solutions.

“Unlocking the way people will experience content in the future will depend upon a revolution in how content is accessed, managed and delivered. Project Horizon will help these organisations create a digital workplace, a digital value-chain and operate with a digital mindset regardless of where they are on the journey to digitalisation,” he said.

EMC, which employs more than 3,000 people in Cork, said the world is undergoing unprecedented change that is disrupting businesses, even those born of the Internet and e-business eras.

This change is presenting a two-fold challenge for chief information officers and IT directors at companies. They must start by driving down cost in existing IT without compromising service levels, while then using those savings to innovate quickly.