Blinded by the hype 3: Gartner warns on speed of change

Business technology experts Gartner Group have come to the conclusion that moving too quickly in the take up of new systems is just as dangerous as moving too slowly.

Gartner says that many so-called .com emerging businesses are likely to suffer soon from immature technology, an unready market and poor strategy.

Many older 'bricks and mortar' organisations are already falling into one of two traps Ð lack of action based on a fear of risk or unrealistic expectations that a Ômagical e-bullet' will solve their problems.

The overall result, Gartner predicts, will be widespread corporate disillusionment with technology in the early years of 2000. But, argues Alexander Drobik, Vice President of E-business Transformation (yes, really), it is important to appreciate that it is not the principle that is wrong. It is the business models, strategies and implementation.

By 2004, says Drobik, we will be back on the right track for e-business. And by 2006, the 'e' will have fallen away, as new systems and processes become standard operating procedure.

Elliott Chase