I saw a video from Cisco this morning, and found it quite inspirational. The fact it’s from Cisco isn’t really relevant (indeed, if I showed it without the last few seconds you woudn’t know) but it’s a great example of how IT is shaping the world that we live in – or, more precisely, how the world is shaping the direction that IT is taking:

In case you can’t see the video above, here are some of the key statistics it contains:

• Humans created more data in 2009 alone than in all previous years combined.
• Over the last 15 years, network speeds have increased 18 million times.
• Information is moving to the cloud; 8/10 IT Managers plan to use cloud computing within the next 3 years.
• By 2015, tools and automation will eliminate 25% of IT labour hours.
• We’re using multiple devices: by 2015 there will be nearly one mobile-connected device for every person on earth;
• 2/3 of employees believe they should be able to access information using company-issued devices at any time, at any location;
• 60% believe they don’t need to be in an office to be productive;
• This is creating entirely new forms of collaboration.
• “The real impact of the information revolution isn’t about information management but on relationships; the ability to allow not dozens, or hundreds, but thousands of people to meaningfully interact” [Dr Michael Schrage, MIT].
• By 2015 companies will generate 50% of web sales via their social presence and mobile applications.
• Social business software will become a $5bn business by 2013.
• Who sits at the centre of all this? Who is managing these exponential shifts? The CIO.

Some impressive numbers here – and we might expect to see many of these figures cited by a company selling social collaboration software and networking equipment but they are a good indication of the way things are heading.  I would place more emphasis on empowered employees and customers redefining IT provisioning (BYO, for example); on everything as a service (XaaS) changing the IT delivery model; on the need for a new architecture to manage the “app Internet”; and on big data – which will be a key theme for the next few years.

Whatever the technologies underpinning the solution – the overall direction is for IT to provide business services that add value and enhance business agility rather than simply being part of “the cost of doing business”.

I think Cisco’s video does a rather good job of illustrating the change that is occurring but the real benefits come when we are able to use technology as an enabler for business services that create new opportunities, rather than responding to existing pressures.

I’d love to hear what our customers, partners and competitors think – is technology at the heart of the digital revolution, or is it simply an enabler for new business services?

[This post originally appeared on the Fujitsu UK and Ireland CTO Blog and was written with assistance from Ian Mitchell.]