00:01Technology risk mitigation is about managing change.

00:05A big part of what my company does happens in a space that changes rapidly.

00:09So in the next few minutes, I’m going to share some of my thoughts on this topic.

00:14I figure a technology change is like a steamroller.

00:18Worthwhile new technologies pave over old inefficiencies and introduce better ways for people to get things done.

00:26Ideally, you’re driving a steamroller yourself...

00:29...and sometimes even then you find yourself in the path of a much larger steamroller and you realize you’re the little guy.

00:39To be clear, most steamrollers aren’t out to get you.

00:42Usually the really big ones aren’t even aware of you.

00:44They just roll forward because that’s their job.

00:48And even if it’s your friend at the helm, you can still get run over if you’re not mindful about where they’re going.

00:55I think about this metaphor a lot.

00:59My company creates COTS software that helps people do even more with ArcGIS Server.

01:06And while I think we definitely eliminate all kinds of inefficiencies associated with custom development...

01:12...in the process of building applications...

01:14...some of what we do is definitely in the path of where Esri will eventually go with ArcGIS Server.

01:22Nonetheless, we’ve had success with this model for going on 10 years now. So how do we do that sustainably?

01:30I’m going to talk about a couple types of change that we manage.

01:34First, is Esri tech change. Where Esri’s going and when is of critical importance to us.

01:42So we watch closely and we count on good communication.

01:45It’s why events like this and our EPN relationship are so strategic.

01:53Next, there’s more macro technology change.

01:56We’re always on the lookout for new trends or technologies...

01:59...that will require that Latitude and Esri adjust course to ensure that we’re both in a good position.

02:16Right now there are changes coming that will affect virtually everyone of us in this room.

02:22A couple examples? The cloud and the continued rise of mobile devices as the interface for enterprise interactions.

02:34The insight I’d like to share with you is what we do before we invest in any technology.

02:40We do what we call the steamroller test.

02:42We ask ourselves this question. “Given what we predict is coming, is it still smart to invest in X right now?”

02:50Now, hopefully, this is a very obvious question that we all ask ourselves before we build on a new technology.

02:56But my insight is to ask it in a brutal way.

03:03The reality is that often the implications of a new technology can be rather abstract.

03:09But getting paved over by a 12-ton piece of construction equipment is not at all abstract.

03:16Technology change can kill us or we can capitalize on the opportunities it creates.

03:22The key is to get good at assessing what’s coming and then responding to that change.