IDC Predicts 2012 Will Be the Year of Mobile and Cloud Platform Wars as IT Vendors Vie for Leadership While the Industry Redefines Itself

"The industry’s shift to the 3rd Platform will accelerate in 2012, forcing the industry’s leaders to make bold investments and fateful decisions"

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–One year ago, International Data Corporation (IDC) predicted that the IT industry’s next dominant platform, built on mobile computing, cloud services, social networking, and big data analytics technologies, would begin its transition into the mainstream. Today, spending on these technologies is growing at about 18% per year and is expected to account for at least 80% of IT spending growth between now and 2020. With future market revenues at stake, IDC predicts that 2012 will be marked by some of the first high-stakes battles as companies seek to position themselves for leadership in these critical and fast-growing technology areas.

Overall, IDC predicts that worldwide IT spending will grow 6.9% year over year to $1.8 trillion in 2012. As much as 20% of this total spending will be driven by the technologies that are reshaping the IT industry – smartphones, media tablets, mobile networks, social networking, and big data analytics. Meanwhile, emerging markets (defined as all markets except North America, Western Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand) will drive more than half of all IT spending growth worldwide in 2012, led by the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) and a handful of other fast-growing markets like Indonesia, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia. The growing importance of these markets is reflected in IDC’s prediction that China will surpass Japan as the world’s second largest IT market sometime in the course of the year.

2012 will also be the Year of Mobile Ascendency as mobile devices (smartphones and media tablets) surpass PCs in both shipments and spending and mobile apps, with 85 billion downloads, generate more revenue than the mainframe market. The mobility market will see heated competition in 2012 as Microsoft joins the crucial battle for dominance in the mobile operating system (OS) market and the Kindle Fire challenges the iPad in the media tablet market. Similarly, a host of new mobile devices with “good enough” capabilities (think “smartphone lite”) will challenge the current device leaders on price and functionality in key emerging markets like China, India, Indonesia, and Brazil.

• Mobile data network spending will exceed fixed data network spending for the first time
• 80% of new commercial enterprise apps will be deployed on cloud platforms
• 15% of new mobile apps will be based on HTML5 by year’s end
• Vendors from emerging markets, such as Huawei and China Telecom, will make an aggressive push into developed markets, including the U.S.
• The number of intelligent, communicating devices on the network will outnumber “traditional computing” devices by almost 2 to 1 within next 24 months, changing the way we think – and interact – with each other and devices on the network

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20111201005201/en/IDC-Predicts-2012-Year-Mobile-Cloud-Platform

Statistics Summary for Learncast.com

LearnCast moving up Alexas

Learncast.com  visitors view an average of 3.7 unique pages per day. Approximately 94% of visitors to the site come from the US, where it has attained a traffic rank of 218,479. Visitors to Learncast.com spend approximately three minutes per visit to the site and 31 seconds per pageview.

The site is relatively popular among users in the city of San Francisco (where it is ranked #32,174).

We have much to learn about global traffic ranking, but we have our eyes on our merger partnerships such as :  Better Learning Systems, our global partners and clients and other means of gaining the attention of the mobile workforce and the M-Generation ( That’s the Mobi-Generation).

David Clemons

CEO of LearnCast.com

Partner – Better Learning Systems

Industry Leaders Merge – LearnKey®, LearnCast® and Predix

Three powerful companies merge to form a very strategic learning entity known as Better Learning Systems (BLS).

LearnKey® Inc., LearnCast® Inc., and Predix Inc., combine their executive leadership teams, global experience and financial resources to create the "next big idea" in the learning industry, Better Learning Systems.

These three companies all share a similar background of delivering first-to-market solutions and innovations within the learning, e-learning and mobile learning industries. Their stories include accomplishments such as the first video-based software training company (1987); the first privately held company to deliver  interactive CD-ROM to the market with video, labs and assessments; the first company to stream learning video in an online learning portal with labs and assessments; and possibly the first mobile platform to specifically offer rapid development tools, learning management tools, video transcoding with global distribution specific to learning within one cloud-based system.

"I'm really interested to see how our existing customer base adopts our new and strategic offerings. This will prove to have more value with better reach and deeper measurements for everyone", stated David Clemons CEO and Founder of LearnCast.com

"The global industry of video based training, online learning, mobile innovation and individual talent discovery through software, will see something fantastic at Better Learning Systems", stated Clemons

This merger represents a very big move for the privately held LearnKey®, the original video-based software training company launched in 1987, who has brought together an interesting blend of mobile technology and professional behavioral assessment technology and know-how together under one vision – one mission. "Build a Better Learning System"

Read the companies press announcement here on  PRWEB WIRE - http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/2/prweb9156955.htm

According to the announcement from COMSCORE, the leading research group on mobility and mobile trending, the use of social networks on mobile devices soared 37% during the last year 2011. Mobile strategies are paying off Facebook, Twitter and Linked In. The majority of the Mobile Social Networkers are reading posts while on their devices.

HERE IS THE INSIDE SCOOP OF WHAT THIS ACTUALLY MEANS !

Each of these networks create user notifications, sharing links and likes and dislikes. Making it easy for those who subscribe to stay informed immediately if anything is happening on their personal network. What a perfect way to keep users connected and informed and social.

http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Press_Releases/2011/10/Social_Networking_On-The-Go_U.S._Mobile_Social_Media_Audience_Grows_37_Percent_in_the_Past_Year

RESTON, VA, October 20, 2011 – comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, today released results of a study on mobile social media usage based on data from its comScore MobiLens service, which showed that 72.2 million Americans accessed social networking sites or blogs on their mobile device in August 2011, an increase of 37 percent in the past year. The study also provided new insights into how mobile users interact with social media, finding that more than half read a post from an organization, brand or event while on their mobile device.

"Social media is one of the most popular and fastest growing mobile activities, reaching nearly one third of all U.S. mobile users," said Mark Donovan, comScore senior vice president for mobile. "This behavior is even more prevalent among smartphone owners with three in five accessing social media each month, highlighting the importance of apps and the enhanced functionality of smartphones to social media usage on mobile devices."

More than Half of Mobile Social Networkers Access Sites on a Near Daily Basis

In August 2011, more than 72.2 million people accessed social networking sites or blogs on their mobile device, an increase of 37 percent from the previous year. Nearly 40 million U.S. mobile users, more than half of the mobile social media audience, access these sites almost every day, demonstrating the importance of this activity to people's daily routines.

Research also indicated that although more people accessed these sites via their mobile browser, the social networking app audience grew five times faster in the past year. While the mobile browsing social networking audience grew 24 percent to 42.3 million users in the past year, the mobile social networking app audience surged 126 percent to 38.5 million.

Featured in the Training Magazine ( Sept/Oct 2011 ) written by Roy Saunderson of Real Recognition Radio

TRAINING ON THE GO !

Here is the Link – http://www.trainingmag.com/article/talent-tips-training-go

What a pleasure it was to be interviewed by an industry expert like Roy Saunderson of Real Recognition Radio. Michael Kroth and I ( David Clemons ) had an opportunity to record a session with his webinar group and be featured in the TrainingMag.com magazine.

The article is only a slice of our hour long webinar with Roy – but it rings in true harmony of what and how Michael and I share and work toward in getting the message out! Managing the Mobile Workforce (McGraw-Hill) has a collection of 40 interviews and the inside track on management / leadership and the mobile workforce.

Here is the article -

Talent Tips: Training on the Go

Mobile learners appreciate good-quality content designed to save them time and that provides immediate accomplishments in small chunks.

Article | Fri, 10/07/2011 – 01:00

By Roy Saunderson, President, Recognition Management Institute

Are we ready to train employees through iPods? Some organizations already do so with great success. Yet there are important principles to consider in getting mobile learning right.

In the fast-moving world we live in, we stay connected through a growing number of mobile devices we're glued at the hip to. Now imagine having training follow you around and be available whenever you are ready to learn.

That's what employees at Homewood Suites by Hilton (one of the two, extended stay brands of Hilton Worldwide) do. When changes were made to their food and beverage items, Dawn Koenig, vice president for Brand Performance Support, knew there had to be an easier way to get employees to learn and implement these innovations.

Whether assembling new displays for various hot and cold zones for food and beverages or simply refreshing areas with a variety of menus and displays to keep a fresh look for extended stay guests, the 10-, 15-, or 20-minute videos are just the trick.

General managers keep the iPods and loan them out library-fashion to employees to view the brand-standard videos. Skill tests are presented in Q&A quiz format with results recorded through Hilton's proprietary Hilton University learning management system.

Unfamiliar with an iPod? Homewood Suites learning specialists send out clear and easy-to-follow instructions for using an iPod, which has won over all generations of learners. And the highly visual content allows for easy multiple language voice-over adaptation, similar to onscreen instruction for aircraft passenger safety.

The best comment Koenig has heard from employees is they feel they're "in charge of [their] own learning." No supervisor looking over their shoulder, and they can learn on their own time and in their own place.

David Clemons, the chief mobile officer of LearnCast.com and Achieve Labs, and Michael Kroth, associate professor of Adult/Organizational Learning and Leadership at University of Idaho–Boise Center, have some valuable pointers on mobile learning gleaned from their research and authoring of "Managing the Mobile Workforce":

1.Create highly focused content. Faced with workload and general day-to-day distractions, instructional designers must use quality content without wasting a second of precious on-the-move time. One effective approach is the "One Mobile Minute" rule. Remember to keep the information mapping to not more than four to seven items; fewer is better. If your learner can read it, watch it, and feed it back in less than three to five minutes, you have done a great job designing your mobile learning program. You can combine several of these learning modules-each with a specific learning objective and sub-objectives-to create a 15- to 20-minute lesson, or even longer, that your workforce will use as it has time available.

2. Be mobile accessible. The iPod is just one learning device workers can use. A company needs to think through all available options learning can be provided through, including the Apple iPod, iPhone, or iPad; Motorola Droid or Xoom Tablet; Cisco Cius; and HP Touch-all will be used by mobile workers, along with their primary laptop and desktop. Set up the learning offering to include the widest, device-agnostic solution-meaning a solution that doesn't favor any particular device. If you want to motivate every employee, create a strategy that includes everyone right from the beginning. Develop content that can be viewed on any device and that creates an environment where people love to work, want to be connected, and will continue to learn because it is mutually beneficial for the organization and the employee.

3. Make the learning stick. The "training glue" that bonds the mobile workforce with the learning content is the continued connection among peers, managers, and the company. Have managers set clear expectations face to face ahead of time and encourage learning before employees engage online. Ensure real-time feedback and discussions are encouraged through the devices and in person. Employees share personal stories, pictures, and events through social media. Why not build a mobile learning community where learning and sharing is ongoing?

Mobile learners appreciate good-quality content designed to save them time and that provides immediate accomplishments in small chunks. Keep it short, but use all the media-video, audio, exercises, simulations, games, etc.-to "show" and not just "tell" how work can be done and skills developed.

Roy Saunderson is author of "GIVING the Real Recognition Way" and president of the Recognition Management Institute, a consulting and training firm specializing in helping companies "get recognition right." Its focus is on showing leaders how to give real recognition to create positive relationships, better workplaces, and real results. For more information, contact mailto:RoySaunderson@Rideau.com or visit http://www.RealRecognition.com.

Today … was such a great experience working with the  team at SHRM the Society for Human Resource Management. Michael Kroth and I were invited to present to the SHRM membership regarding our book Managing the Mobile Workforce.  First, I must say I am thankful (everyday) to have such great partners in my life, within my businesses and especially Michael Kroth. He was exceptional today. I mean he was on his game of presenting what he knows inside and out,  What motivates a mobile worker and how to build a successful mobile leadership team. If you get a chance go in to SHRM and sign up to listen to this presentation – its 90 minutes  with Q/A’s – there were too many questions to answer all of them – but we tried! We had a full outline to present of detailed examples of enterprise  strategies used within mobile teams – AND – details of how companies are succeeding , sustaining a mobile workforce.

This live presentation was viewed live today by HUNDREDS of people! I can not wait to do this for thousands, with Michael.

Its interesting what I learned today. What I learned from Michael, from the the SHRM managers and the attendees of the program is something to value. I feel fortunate I was present – that is for sure.

The link to view our presentation outline is here – http://www.shrm.org/multimedia/webcasts/Pages/0911virtual.aspx

I really appreciate that SHRM recognised our passion – our book and that we both like to present and always have a great time doing it. Thank you again!

Here is a partial summary of the SHRM web page that featured us today ;

Building a mobile workforce can be a competitive advantage for your company. Do you have job alternatives that will appeal to workers of the 21st century? Does your corporate strategy envision a mobile workforce? Are you prepared to lead one? Do you have the capability to find, get, keep, and support mobile workers?

In this 90-minute program, David Clemons and Michael Kroth, co-authors of Managing the Mobile Workforce (McGraw-Hill), will share what organizational and HR leaders need to know to create healthy, highly motivating environments for mobile workers. They will talk about presence — reducing the distance between the manager and mobile workers, motivating distance workers and paradigms of the mobile workforce. The program will look at how HR can play a vital role in building virtual teams and creating performance management systems that make sense for mobile workers.

About the speakers: David Clemons (top) and Michael Kroth are authors of the book, Managing the Mobile Workforce: Leading, Building, and Sustaining Virtual Teams, published by McGraw-Hill. Follow their blog at managingthemobileworkforce.com/blog. David Clemons has provided 20 years of executive leadership and innovation to the digital education industries. His experience has focused mainly on the global enterprise online learning space. Mr. Clemons is well known for his position as president of LearnKey Inc, a Utah based E-learning company and today is known as the creator of Achieve Labs Inc. He also founded LearnCast Mobile Publishing System. Mr. Clemons speaks nationally and internationally on mobile trends, mobile adoption, enterprise mobile workforce innovation, and leadership. Currently he lives and works in Eagle, Idaho, as a true mobile worker, employing a large "mobiForce" including international partners and content specialists.

Michael Kroth, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the University of Idaho-Boise. As a long time internal consultant he developed and administered corporate-level leadership development and succession planning programs, has been the administrator of a corporate foundation, and served as a director of corporate community affairs. He is the Leadership Field Editor for ASTD’s In-Practice on-line newsletter and a member of the National Speakers Association. Dr. Kroth is also a member of the National Speakers Association.

Brilliant Results Publishing,  is focused on providing leading marketing executives from large Fortune 1000 companies to mid size enterprise companies with powerful results-oriented, cutting edge marketing, incentive and motivation/recognition ideas. With a focus of providing  interviews with key leaders of companies that provide solutions enterprise managers need to build the relationships, find the resources and get the results that every successful marketing, branding, or employee recognition campaign needs.

Michael Kroth and I are both very excited to be part of the Brilliant Results team as featured authors and appreciate the feedback and comments from everyone. Our special thanks go out to the staff at Brilliant Results Magazine.

This article is a good story and overview of what Michael and I share during our workshops and speeches. We have a great time presenting this information around the planet!

For more information Tweet us , or write us a note :

David@LearnCast.com

Send a text message to 878787 – message “clemons”

Inc Magazine recently published an article How to Manage a Virtual Sales Force, ( Click Link to read) . Both Michael Kroth and I were interviewed by  Eric Markowitz, who  is an assistant producer at Inc.com. He writes about start-ups, entrepreneurs, and issues that affect small businesses. He lives in New York City.

Our book Managing the Mobile Workforce ( McGraw-Hill ) has opened many new opportunities for Michael Kroth and I to  present our findings of our book and advice to managers who need to find leadership and technology solutions for their virtual teams.  We have had many opportunities with many Fortune companies and smaller organizations providing workshops and interviews, blogs, training and specific presentations to the executive groups that are investing in their mobile workforce. Additionally, we have a secondary offering of tools and training for publishing mobile content, training and mobile learner engagement to many of our new clients, with LearnCast.com ( Mobile Publishing Platform for Enterprise Mobile Workforce)

We greatly appreciate this type of exposure and everyone who has supported this project. Michael Kroth is an incredible Co-Author and friend that brings his deep knowledge,  brain power strength and creativity to our project as a “Thought Leader” inside of the Virtual workforce. He believes passion in the workplace is needed and the secret to a thriving work environment.

We believe this is only the start of a very good opportunity for us and every enterprise manager that finds herself, himself asking how they are going to pull together the right mix of “metaskills”, managers that understand the mobile workforce needs quality support,  and technology that brings a team together. Just remember that “TRUST” is the real glue that bonds the Mobile Workforce together.

David Clemons – Founder, Co-Author , Chief Mobile Officer

Today at 10:00 Pacific Time : Voice of America and the hosts of Recognition Radio will feature Clemons / Kroth authors of Managing the Mobile Workforce.

To listen :

We will also post this on the radio section of our site with a listen now link.

Racheal Lovinger describes Intelligent Content with in her posts at Scatter/Gather and mentions LearnCast as one of the tool demonstrations she had a chance to experience with hands on.

“In the realm of more targeted authoring tools, I had the chance to play around with a platform called LearnCast. It's designed to allow people to create educational content – including video, audio, and interactive elements – that's compatible with any mobile platform”.

I appreciate all of the people who attended our workshop. We feel we have made a few fans and a few new friends, it was a great experience for me as a presenter, I learned alot preparing for this workshop and appreciate the feedback I received.

Actual link to Scatter / Gather

http://scattergather.razorfish.com/944/2011/02/19/icc-day-2-what-we-heard/