Gartner Says Consumer Technologies are Fueling Second Internet Revolution; In Gartner Podcast, Analysts Discuss Dynamics Driving Next Growth Phase of the Internet.

STAMFORD, Conn. -- The widening use of new consumer technologies by employees within the enterprise is creating a second Internet revolution, according to Gartner, Inc.

In the Gartner podcast "The Second Internet Revolution," Dale Kutnick, senior vice president and director of research at Gartner, and David Mitchell Smith, vice president and Gartner Fellow, examine how the spread of these consumer technologies has increased pressure on information technology (IT) departments to be more flexible and keep pace.

IT organizations traditionally have resisted the implementation of consumer technologies. This trend goes back at least 25 years. It started with the introduction of the PC and was repeated when the Internet emerged. Yet employees today commonly adapt technologies introduced into the consumer segment for business use. This is being done with or without the support of the IT department.

"Desktop search software is an example of a technology that was not provided by traditional vendors or traditional IT departments, but it was brought in as a grassroots effort by employees who needed the technology," Mr. Smith said. "Another example is instant messaging. It's very rare to find organizations that don't have consumer instant messaging products from companies such as AOL, Google, Microsoft or Yahoo. Very few employees are using the corporate sanctioned instant messaging products."

Many people have taken the Internet for granted since the initial boom period peaked around 2000 then waned in subsequent years. However there have been significant recent developments. Also, in many instances, companies have continually implemented new Internet applications without much fanfare.

"The first Internet revolution got people accustomed to using the Internet for relatively mundane and simple activities," Mr. Kutnick said. "Now commercial companies are embedding Internet applications into their IT fabric."

New concepts, technologies and derivative components enterprises are building into their business processes include "Web 2.0", a term often applied to a perceived transition of the Web from a collection of Web sites to a computing platform serving applications to end users; Internet "platforms" from Google, eBay, salesforce.com and others; and nearly ubiquitous Internet access such as broadband wireless. Gartner analysts said more consumer technologies will be brought into enterprises. IT organizations cannot turn their backs on consumer-based technologies.

"If you have people who are forward thinking and have ideas for how they can utilize consumer technologies, embrace it," Mr. Smith said. "Don't just say no, it's not secure, we can't support it."

This 11-minute podcast is available on Gartner's Web site at http://www.gartner.com/it/products/podcasting/asset_136534_2575.jsp. The podcast is produced by Gartner Voice. Gartner Voice is a series of podcasts in which Gartner analysts share insights and expertise on current issues in business and technology. Podcasts are open forums between participants and do not constitute published Gartner research.

Mr. Smith, who specializes in catalytic technologies such as the Internet, Web services, open source and consumer technologies, and Mr. Kutnick, who focuses on quality control of Gartner research deliverables, new forms of content and client interaction and improving client support, are scheduled to speak at Gartner Symposium/ITxpo October 16-21 in Orlando, Fla. Mr. Smith's topics include several aspects of the increasing impact of consumer markets on business-related information technology. Mr. Kutnick will be co-presenting a Gartner Scenario session on the current state and future of directions of IT, as well as moderating a panel that examines disaster recovery issues and lessons learned from previous major disasters.

Gartner Symposium/ITxpo is the IT industry's largest and most strategic conference, providing business leaders with a look at the future of IT. For more than 10,000 IT professionals from the world's leading enterprises, these events are key components of their annual planning efforts. Attendees rely on Gartner Symposium/ITxpo to gain insight into how their organizations can use technology to address business challenges and improve operational efficiency.

In Orlando, an integral part of the Gartner Symposium is the ITxpo showfloor, where more than 190 technology companies are showcasing the latest technology solutions. There are 11 ITxpo marketplaces, including mobile and wireless, business intelligence and data warehousing, outsourcing

and IT services and security. ITxpo marketplaces are focused areas designed to aggregate solution providers into a specific market and link conference topics to market solutions. Attendees can attend technology company presentations and schedule face to face meetings with exhibitors of their choice.

About Gartner

Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT) is the leading provider of research and analysis on the global information technology industry. Gartner serves more than 9,000 clients, including CIOs and other senior IT executives in corporations and government agencies, as well as technology companies and the investment community. The Company focuses on delivering objective, in-depth analysis and actionable advice to enable clients to make more informed business and technology decisions. The Company's businesses consist of Gartner Research and Events for IT professionals; Gartner Executive Programs, membership programs and peer networking services; and Gartner Consulting, customized engagements with a specific emphasis on outsourcing and IT management. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, and has over 3,900 associates, including more than 1,200 research analysts and consultants in more than 75 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.gartner.com.