Rickerism

The acts of men should always be placed in historical context. Technology is no exception. I discern over the past four decades different phases of technology emphasis.

In the 1970s, the focus of software development was on automating major business processes such as accounting and payroll. These applications were concentrated on mainframe computers in large companies. It was the Age of Business Automation.

In the 1980s, business software moved from the mainframe in the back room to the personal computer on the desktop and at home. Automation was no longer concentrated on just major business processes. Software developers were building applications for all sorts of purposes. It was the Age of Mass Automation.

In the 1980s, businesses began to connect core business applications to networks. Electronic data interchange (EDI) became a business requirement for Global 1000 companies. It was the Age of Business Connectivity.

In the 1990s, networks transitioned from back room use. Network connectivity moved to every desktop and home. The Internet exploded into use. It was the Age of Mass Connectivity.

In the 1990s, businesses began to leverage their networks and started integrating their core applications. The industry focused on enterprise application integration and business-to-business electronic commerce. It was an Age of Business Integration.

In the 2000s, the shift in emphasis is occurring again. It is now time to focus our attention on integrating all applications across the network. It is now the Age of Mass Integration.

The pattern is simple enough. First, we created isolated computers to run programs for automation. Second, we connected the isolated computers through networks. Third, we integrated the applications over the network. The sequence is logical. One step cannot happen before the other.

Note that I am discussing technology emphasis here. During one period, the technology community will focus more of its attention on a particular group of related technologies. It does not mean that work stops in the areas of previous attention. Quite the opposite. More work is invested in areas once they have moved out of focus. For instance, more money was invested in back room business automation during the 1980s than in the 1970s, and the investment has only increased over each subsequent decade. In the decades following the Age of Business Automation, business automation was assumed and thus did not have the community’s focus of attention.