In a December 23, 2008 article for ebizQ, I looked back at 2008 trends and troubles for the approximately 100 software products and more than 50 suppliers that support the business process management (BPM) value proposition. In this January 14 article, I take the other perspective, looking ahead, mostly at 2009.
In 2009, the adoption of BPM should continue to accelerate. Whether that happens because of or despite of the current worldwide economic crisis remains to be seen. It appears that BPM can contribute strongly to turning around the worldwide economy. That's not a certainty because there is a question about the extent to which--if at all--BPM players, your BPM supplier in particular, suffers because of the current crisis. More vendor consolidation in particular is very likely because of macroeconomic conditions.
And looking further ahead, I have another thought. There is an overriding historical fact you should consider as you adopt or increase your use of BPM software in 2009. The BPM decisions you make now are decisions your enterprise will likely live with long after you've left or retired. For proof, look at the number of IT departments that are still using 1980s and early 1990s technology and products in transaction processing (TP), ERP, customer relationship management (CRM), and similar solution areas.
Buy wisely.
-- Dennis Byron
Leave a comment