Critical.
Authoritative.
Strategic.
Subscribe to CIO Magazine »

Blog: Let Your APIs Go Free

Apple's delivery last week of an iPhone patch that disabled unlocked phones along with a bunch of third party software got me thinking about how IT departments could innovate faster.

The face-off between Apple and those rogue iPhone users (along with developers who want to make a buck improving the thing) isn't too different from what's happening between a lot of IT departments and corporate end users these days. I'm not comparing the iPhone with anything a corporate IT department would develop. But I'm seeing similarities in the exclusivity that both Apple and many IT organizations impose on the technology they develop.

As a multibillion company that makes money by selling technology, Apple has an excuse for keeping phones locked down and independent developers off the device as long as that behavior maximizes profits. Even if it annoys people (like me. I want an iPhone. I also want to pick my carrier. But that's a post for another day.).

But what if IT departments stopped acting as gatekeepers who control the functionality of corporate systems? Why not provide APIs to whomever in the company has an idea for improving corporate applications and the time and skills to do it? That could go a long way toward eliminating the problem of rogue IT by empowering users to innovate when their apps no longer meet their needs.

Think open source. Think Amazon. Think eBay.

End users could vote with their mouse clicks for new functionality that they found valuable. IT could support the most popular tools, and the rest would wither on the vine.

Yes, that approach presents management challenges for CIOs. And no, it probably wouldn't be appropriate for every application. And yes, a lot of vendors wouldn't play ball (although I'm sure someone out there can tell me why they should).

It can't be no one has thought of this. If you're doing it, I'd love to know.

Join the CIO Australia group on LinkedIn. The group is open to CIOs, IT Directors, COOs, CTOs and senior IT managers.

More about: Apple, eBay

Comments

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Users posting comments agree to the CIO comments policy.
Login or register to link comments to your user profile, or you may also post a comment without being logged in.
Related Whitepapers
Latest Stories
Community Comments
Latest Blog Posts
Whitepapers
  • Protecting Generation Web
    From data privacy to personal safety issues, cyber-bullying, inappropriate content and malware, schools are facing an increasingly difficult task when it comes to allowing young people to spread their online wings without compromising their safety and personal development. The reality that most schools are catering to the needs of mixed age groups and abilities, and it’s easy to understand why a simple stop and block approach won’t work. Learning environments are, by nature, flexible. It stands to reason that the IT resources used in them should be flexible too. Read on.
    Learn more »
  • Enterprise Buyers Guide for Tablets
    In this enterprise buyers guide Computerworld provides a framework for assessing the suitability of tablet computers with different work styles and demands. The guide takes into account upgrade cycles, pricing and contract issues with telecommunications providers. It features a shopping checklist covering screen types, connectivity and hardware as well as a guide to application management. This is in addition to a full roundup of the major players including road maps for the most popular operating systems.
    Learn more »
  • Oracle Database 11g for Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence
    Oracle Database 11g is a comprehensive database platform for data warehousing and business intelligence that combines industry-leading scalability and performance, deeply integrated analytics, and embedded integration and data-quality -- all in a single platform running on a reliable, low-cost grid infrastructure. Read on.
    Learn more »
All whitepapers
rhs_login_lockGet exclusive access to Invitation only events CIO, reports & analysis.
Recent comments