INTRODUCTION: In a Word: Collaboration!
By David Greenfield
With small budget hikes forecasted for 2007, simply wringing more computing power out of packed data centers won't be enough. For the next wave of change, IT must take the lead in improving communications and making the very best use of resources throughout the organization. Read on as our experts analyze hot IT areas, from security to wireless to storage, and identify the business trends you need to watch in the coming year.

BUSINESS STRATEGY: Between a Rock and a Hard-Ball Compliance Officer
By Andrew Conry-Murray
Your mission for 2007: Provide unprecedented data access while implementing strategies to protect your sensitive info, all without choking off business processes. No problem, right?

SECURITY: Keep Corporate Data Safe!
By Don MacVittie
This year, security pros will finally get in the groove and refocus on security's primary task: Locking down your company's assets. To get there, however, you need a formidable aresenal. Here's your 2007 shopping list.

MOBILE & WIRELESS: Moving From Tactical to Strategic
By Dave Molta
Untethered data access -- on both the LAN and WAN -- has become increasingly strategic for all organizations. Therefore, expect continued heavy investing in wireless in 2007, and you won't even have to sneak it past the budget hawks.

STORAGE & SERVERS: Big Wheels, Slow Progress
By Steven Hill
Many of the technologies we pointed to last year -- server virtualization, IP storage and blade servers -- are still evolving and continue to be important areas to watch in 2007. Meanwhile, virtual servers, quad-core systems and a host of other emerging technologies are coming to a data center near you.

MESSAGING & COLLABORATION: Keep Employees and Customers Talking
By Michael J. DeMaria
Success in 2007's new world of user/community-driven content will involve increased maturity in corporate blogs, wikis, podcasts and Webcasts, and more experimentation with video as a sales and marketing tool. Plus keep watch for advances in enterprise e-mail, unified communications and VoIP adoption.

APPLICATION INFRASTRUCTURE: Agility Is the Key
By Lori MacVittie
In 2007, expect the demands for fast delivery of aggregated information to heighten. Fortunately, the next 12 months will bring plenty of options to slim down and tone up by adopting technologies that truly live up to the claim, "out-of-the-box."

ENTERPRISE APPLICATIONS: Reduce Costs -- But Still Keep Customers Happy?
By Lori MacVittie
In the coming year, you'll hear plenty of experts going on about architecting "agile, competitive, strong-performing" apps that help your organization reduce costs internally, while maintaining customer satisfaction. That's easy to say, not so easy to implement. Here's how to make those new technologies walk the walk for your business.

NETWORK AND SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT: Ready for a Quantum Leap?
By Chris Matney
Our outlook for the coming year should improve as significant transformations -- particularly managing according to process -- shake up network and systems management on both the technology and human fronts.

NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE: The Networks Shifting Landscape
By Mike Fratto
Get ready to change gears in 2007. While consolidation was the watchword for 2006, 2007 will be all about differences. New and expensive technologies are stretching IT dollars, increasing management overhead and placing increased performance demands on networks.