Virtualization Everywhere
By providing a logical view of computing resources, rather than a physical view, virtualization makes it possible to do a couple of very useful things: It can allow you, essentially, to trick your operating systems into thinking that a group of servers is a single pool of computing resources. And it can allow you to run multiple operating systems simultaneously on a single machine.

From desktop virtualization to server virtualization to storage virtualization, IT managers can now do more with fewer resources. Beyond the dramatic cost savings, virtualization is also an important component of any comprehensive BCDR initiative. Simply put virtualization has, and will continue to change the way IT managers think about computing resources.

Unified Threat Management
Not just Symantec Endpoint protection, but almost all security vendors have moved towards a more holistic (vs. specialized) approach. This includes firewalls from Fortinet and Juniper, and end client protection from Symantec, Kaspersky, and eEye’s Blink. The ability to fold a comprehensive suite of features into one box, including junk e-mail filtering, antivirus capability, an intrusion detection (or prevention) system, and web content filtering, along with a traditional firewall is extremely advantageous. Look for unified threat management to gain even more traction in IT departments next year.

Enterprise Search
With the increasing amount of data generated by today’s companies, searching for specific files and sharing information within an enterprise can be exasperating. Everyone knows about the Google search capabilities, but the company has a new version of their appliance server that searches securely inside your network. It’s pretty amazing technology—it can read more than 220 different file types, and can read databases, Exchange calendars, etc. And since the appliance is on your network, you control what it searches. Microsoft’s Enterprise Search is a similar technology that helps people find the information they need while they work. In the next year, count on companies to implement enterprise search technologies to improve document searching and share communications.

Data Deduplication
In many organizations, unintended file duplication can account for as much as 40 to 60 percent of storage capacity within areas such as network share folders. With data deduplication, only one unique instance of data on media such as disk or tape is stored. The results range anywhere from reduction ratios of 6:1 to 30:1—depending on back up, retention, and compression factors. Data deduplication also allows duplicated files to be removed transparently, without affecting users or applications

Continuous Data Protection
Continuous data protection (CDP) is a storage system in which all the data in an enterprise is backed up whenever any change is made. If the system becomes infected or a file becomes mutilated or corrupted, you can recover the most recent clean copy of the affected file. A CDP system with disk storage is easy to install and offers data recovery in a matter of seconds—much less time than with tape backups or archives.

Next Level of Collaboration
Most organizations continue to strive to increase workflow and improve productivity. As such, collaboration applications such as Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft SQL Server, Lotus Domino, and BEA, are extremely valuable business tools because they allow people to share information in real time. In 2008, as employees become more and more free to work anywhere—at home, on the road, or at a customer site—collaboration technologies can simplify communication between remote workers, decrease travel expenses, and disseminate information both internally and externally.

Windows Server 2008
The long awaited next version of Windows Server OS is out as a release candidate. Early 2008 will be awash with reviews and tests of its “Hyper-V,” security, and non-graphic PowerShell option. Plus, the new IIS 7.0 is built to support the latest web developments. As the successor to Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 enables companies to consolidate servers, manage hardware more effectively, and to alter the system security model. IT administrators and developers everywhere are anticipating this release since the differences in the basic architecture could dramatically change the way it’s used in the enterprise as well as how the logical and physical network is structured.

SQL Server 2008
SQL Server 2008, the next release of Microsoft SQL Server, offers companies a comprehensive data platform that is secure, reliable, manageable, and scalable for mission-critical applications. SQL Server 2008 enables developers to create new applications that can store and consume any type of data on any device. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 offers a significant number of new enhancements, including policy-based management that allows administrators to reduce their time spent on maintenance tasks. Even for companies that have only recently completed migrations to SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008 has enough benefits that may drive companies to upgrade sooner rather than later.

Microsoft Vista SP1
Vista’s well publicized problems and issues cast a long shadow over some of the useful features of the OS, making it the “must avoid” upgrade of 2007. Very few enterprises engaged in any type of deployment, preferring to wait. The long awaited SP1 is expected the first half of 2008. The service pack will include multiple performance and reliability fixes, as well as support for newer standards including Extended File Allocation Tables (exFat). There are also a host of administrative improvements, including enhancements to the popular Bitlocker technology.

SaaS Expansion
Software as a Service has risen from its previous ASP/MSP incarnations and continued to show traction, especially in remote worker centric applications like sales force automation, expense reporting, and time tracking. Will Microsoft Office be a target? There have been attempts before, but this year look to see if Google Apps and Webex Office gain traction in larger enterprises. The biggest challenges for SaaS will remain integration into existing systems, bandwidth issues, and the overall challenge that can occur when you try to fit your organization to a prepackaged application. Expect the more mature systems to offer new upgrades to address the three key issues.