Hot In '97

For the past three years, InformationWeek has published a special issue at the end of the year dedicated to highlighting the hottest technologies that IS professionals should watch for in the coming year. This year is no exception. With so much change in information technology every year, such outlooks are paramount in helping you, the IT buyer, anticipate the evolution of the industry by spotting trends and avoiding costly duds. The InformationWeek editors have chosen a variety of technologies that will impact every part of the corporate enterprise. We include some of the no-brainers, like Java, as well as some not-so-obvious choices, like fault-tolerant servers for hosting all those NCs companies will be buying and Web-enabled self-service client-server applications. So, dive in, browse around, and get to know what's going to be hot in 1997.

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Issue date: Jan. 6, 1997

Hardware :

Hot In '97: Boring No More
This will be a hot year for hardware. For the network computer, 1997 is probably do-or-die. Notebooks will gain wider screens, while souped-up PCs will give traditional workstations a run for their money. Big-iron fans won't be disappointed, either: Many servers will soon sprout fault-tolerant capabilities. Who says hardware is dull?

Sofware :

Hot In '97: Powerful Tools
The software industry will add more mu scle to the enterprise this year. The goal: to make more data and applications available to users--and help them do more with it. Hot items for IT managers will be a more scalable network operating system, Web-based collaborative tools, powerful ways to customize desktop applications, client-server applications that can be accessed via the Web, database modules for a variety of unstructured data types, and improved online analytical processing capabilities. Here are the highlights of what's generating the most heat.

IT Management :

Hot In '97: Challenges Galore
CIOs will face daunting challenges in 1997. Fortunately, they'll have some useful tools and strategies to help them out. Part of any IS manager's job this year will be determining effective ways to use the Internet and intranets, finding skilled IS workers amid a worsening people shortage, countering growing threats to information security, and dealing with the year 2000 computer date-field problem. Here's a look at some of the technologies, services, and strategies that CIOs say will be especially hot in 1997.

Intranets/Internet :

Hot In '97: Change Is Certain
When people define an "Internet year" as a period of time lasting 30 days or so, change must be happening at a mind-boggling pace. In 1997, the Internet will easily be IT's hottest field. Within it, some areas will be downright sizzling. These concepts may not be new, but pay attention: You may not recognize them a year from now.

Networking :

Hot In '97: Bandwidth Boom
Users' need for network bandwidth is growing faster than ever, fueled by the intranet-Internet boom and the increased use of other networked applications. This year, vendors expect to start rolling out technologies aimed at satisfying that demand: multime gabit remote-access technologies such as Digital Subscriber Line services and cable modems, conventional 56-Kbps modems, Gigabit Ethernet, and products that combine routing and switching functions. Cross-platform directory services, enterprise-management products, and asset-management tools are also likely to be hot topics.

InformationWeek Labs :

Hot In '97: Technologies Worth Watching
In this issue, we're deviating from our usual format. Instead of product reviews or technology analyses, we feature predictions from our InformationWeek Labs team on what will be hot in '97. InformationWeek Labs draws on the strong technical knowledge and experience of its on-staff technology editors and its regular stable of contributors from both user companies and consulting firms.

Application Development :

Hot In '97: In Java's Wake
Developers yearning for the freedom of object standards may get locked in.

Hot In '97: Good To The Last Applet
Symantec's Visual Cafe development tool now available.

Hot In '97: Java Too Dependent On Desktop Browsers
Users desire multitasking Virtual Machine.

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