If you ask business-technology managers what's on their software wish lists for the coming year, it might look something like this:

• Talented programmers but automated programming



• Simple to use but not simplistic



• Flexible but secure



• Feature-rich but not bloated



• Provides productivity gains but facilitates collaborative business



• High value but flexible on pricing and licensing



• A long life span but with timely updates



• Vendors that sell great products but have a stake in the outcome



• Vendors that have a stake in the outcome but also involve customers early in the development process



• Products that help solve current business problems but also create new business opportunities

Software is, simply, the heart of any customer-facing, service-providing, product-offering business. It is the foundation of consumer products, medical equipment, and so many things we touch in our daily lives. But the industry around software development is changing--albeit not as quickly as some would like--driven by emerging business needs, customer demands, and a growing global market that demands richer collaborative relationships.

In this issue, we bring you a comprehensive look at an industry in transition: the technologies, the business models, the opportunities and the fears. You can find more online here. This package will be the first is a series of stories and research on the future of software. Where will the next big innovation come from? How will smaller, incremental innovations make a difference? Does the industry have the right leaders? Your comments and experiences are welcome.

Stephanie Stahl,
Editor-in-chief
sstahl@cmp.com

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