Editor's Note: Debunking Some Market MythsEditor's Note: Debunking Some Market Myths

At information, we're very fortunate. Every week, we get to talk to some of the most innovative, insightful, opportunity-seeking, problem-solving, business-driving people in the world.

The more we talk to these people, the easier it is to poke holes in some of the misconceptions floating around the market. Yes, there are exceptions, but here are a few debunking attempts from some of my discussions with business-technology execs during the past week. Feel free to send me your own examples.

Myth: Getting projects going in the public sector is bureaucratically slow. Fact: Suzanne Peck, CTO of the District of Columbia, and her team are managing 132 simultaneous business-technology projects.

Myth: RFID is mainly geared to helping the retail industry better control its supply chain. Fact: In one day, I heard execs from an aircraft and weapons maker, a medical-products distributor, and a major hospital system talk about the value RFID will bring to their organizations. Check out last week's cover story on RFID in the livestock industry ("Cattle Trails," Jan. 12, p. 18).

Myth: Vendors are doing a good job of simplifying their technology. Fact: CIOs are still struggling to get a grip on the complexity of their systems. See the column "Business Technology: Customers Long For What Matters Most" for more perspective.

Myth: Companies aren't willing to bet on small, emerging vendors without a track record. Fact: With a return-to-growth mentality, companies are more emboldened to invest. The CTO of a major financial institution is betting on small companies for his top three technology initiatives this year.

Myth: Linux is only making headway in small companies. Fact: I don't have enough room to write about all of the enterprise projects we've heard about lately.

Stephanie Stahl,
Editor
[email protected]

To discuss this column with other readers, please visit Stephanie Stahl's forum on the Listening Post.

To find out more about Stephanie Stahl, please visit her page on the Listening Post.