Power6 microprocessor

[WARNING: I.T. TESTOSTERONE ALERT]

IBM finally came through with the much anticipated Power6 microprocessor that goes on sale next month. With twice the speed of previous processors, the chip processes at 4.7 gigahertz— or 25 million times faster than a hummingbirds wings.

At a bandwidth of 300 gigabytes per second, IBM says the chip can download the complete iTunes music catalog (5 million songs) in around one minute. That's smokin'! (I can download my Kelly Clarkson and Celion Dion songs much faster.)

Why is this important to Reprographers? I reflect on a quote by Wayne Gretzky that John Cronin has beat into my head. When asked what the secret of his success Gretzky said, "A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be."

I think often we are aiming too near in the future on our I.T. infrastructure and strategic planning. Because our customers are generally behind technologically we have been granted mercy with the technology gods, but I believe a "tipping point" is coming. As older construction executives retire in the next few years a generation technologically-thinking men and women are waiting to unleash advanced business technology and theory into their companies. For the last few years, many of these technically-progressives have been frustrated by the lack of urgency of their older bosses and can't wait to push through technological initiatives. We must be ready as these companies tip.