Cloud computing tops Gartner tech ranking

Cloud computing has headed up the list of the top 10 strategic technologies companies should be aware of in 2010.

The list, produced by analyst Gartner, highlighted the importance of the tech industry's leading buzz word.

"Using cloud resources does not eliminate the costs of IT solutions," said a statement from Gartner, "but does re-arrange some and reduce others."

"In addition, consuming cloud services enterprises will increasingly act as cloud providers and deliver application, information or business process services to customers and business partners."

Another key technology on the list was mobile applications. Gartner has predicted that by the end of 2010, 1.2 billion people will be carrying handsets with rich environment capabilities.

The firm admitted there were already many thousands of apps for existing platforms, such as the iPhone, but said it may take new version apps designed for both PC and mobiles to boost adoption.

The eight other technologies classed as strategic defined by Gartner as having the potential for significant impact on enterprises in the next three years and the advice that came with them was as follows:

Advanced analytics - use analytical tools to test out and assess the best scenarios for processes in the company.

Client computing - build a five to eight year plan around your PC including support, operating system, application selection and security plans to manage diversity.

Green IT - increase your company's credentials while lowering carbon emissions by seeking out green stratergies.

Reshaping the data centre - adopt a pod like approach to building data centres and only provision for the next five to seven years unlike previous 15 to 20 year plans.

Social computing - use social media and software to enhance your business.

Security - rather than fencing people out of your systems focus on monitoring what is happen within your systems.

Flash memory - with a prediction of a 100 per cent annual growth rate and its extra speed it is something to think about but beware of the cost factor.

Virtualisation for availability - regularly on the list but on top of its already listed benefits, enterprises can now use this for live migration.

David Cearley, vice president and analyst at Gartner, said in a statement: "Companies should factor the top 10 technologies into their strategic planning process by asking key questions and making deliberate decisions about them during the next two years."

He added: "However, this does not necessarily mean adoption and investment in all of the technologies," he added. "They should determine which technologies will help and transform their individual business initiatives."