Technology Paradise Lost: Why Companies Will Spend Less to Get More from Information Technology [Hardcover]

Erik Keller (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1932394133 | ISBN-13: 978-1932394139 | Publication Date: April 1, 2004

Debunking many of today's myths about the future prospects and growth of information technology, this book uses a variety of well-accepted economic, technological, and market data to come to the contrary conclusion that IT is poised to shrink and not grow. Discussed is how this conclusion does not imply that companies will slow their use of technology but rather all aspects will become much less expensive, thus halting traditional growth patterns. The argument is made that over the next three to five years, the same price performance gains that have been seen in the hardware area will be seen in software, external services, and labor spending. Outlined are the factors causing this change, which include open source software, Microsoft, offshore labor and services, new software tools to better manage IT assets, and the Internet. The book also argues that buyers of technology have become much savvier about its use and will be spending less overall to get more from their investments. With these changes in mind, survival strategies for buyers and sellers of technology to help them prepare for this long-term change in growth are prescribed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A sober account of the high-tech binge." -- The Wall Street Journal

"A thoughtful view from an expert on IT in the commerical world." -- CVu Journal

"A wake up call for software buyers and sellers . . . Keller takes a practical 'back to basics' approach." -- BusinessIntelligence.com

"Convincing and illuminating." -- Computing Reviews

"Has a higher intelligence-per-dollar quota than anything we’ve come across in a long time." -- SoftwareCEO.com

"One of the best business-oriented information management books I've read." -- David F. Carr, senior technology analyst, Baseline Magazine

"The book's central argument is that companies can make progress without large increases in their IT budgets." -- ComputerWorld

"[The author’s] cynicism seems entirely apropos." -- MSI magazine

About the Author

Erik M. Keller (Munich, Germany) is a freelance consultant and trainer. He has over 18 years of experience on Unix/Linux as an administrator, consultant, DBA, trainer, and developer.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 260 pages
• Publisher: Manning Publications (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932394133
• ISBN-13: 978-1932394139
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,883,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New perspective on the realities of software development, May 30, 2004

By 

Jack D. Herrington "engineer and author" (Silicon Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Technology Paradise Lost: Why Companies Will Spend Less to Get More from Information Technology (Hardcover)

Eric Keller really hits home with both facts and anecdotal evidence supporting his claims that there is a shift happening in the IT industry. HIs claim is that through a combination of outsourcing, project and asset management companies both on the buying and selling sides of the IT fence will spend less to get more.

The book is organized as you would expect. The first few chapters cover current problems in the industry with quality and project failures. Though the outlook is gloomy most chapters end with a 'survival guide' which gives some pragmatic advice to avoid the pitfalls and problems mentioned in the chapter.

The second part of the book lays out a set of IT spending and management paths. The path he would have you go on is the 'path to profits' which reduces and optimizes spending through outsourcing and intelligent use of local resources and assets.

The book is definitely in the same league as The Mythical Man Month, The Decline and Fall of the American Programmer, and the Rise and Resurrection of the American Programmer. I can't say if it's better or worse, but I'm not sure it's relevant. If you enjoyed any of these source works you will enjoy and learn from this book.