New Leaps

Soon after several buy-outs of software startups by Apple, Google, and Microsoft, we have seen emerging business models shaped to be scalable. Certain strategic investments in areas of vision computing, facial recognition sensing, social media app, and mobile e-commerce have fostered rallies of talents especially in the Bay Area.


It seems that conventional IT hardware is phasing out of the new game in North America, while portable devices incorporate software apps so disruptively and quickly. Enthusiastic yet entrepreneurial souls keep emitting vivid spectrum that spotlights the emerging platforms in the marketplace -- Yes, it shines in Silicon Valley!


Personal health care is another rising space where IBM is leading innovation, while the U.S. health care reform may not empower the need for cost reduction at sustained quality and service. The troubled health care system has been complicated for decades owing largely to independent domain management among insurance companies, health care providers, testing labs, patients, and physicians -- information flow is isolated, insufficient, and duplicated. A survey suggests that 33% of physicians make decisions based on incomplete information, and 88% of them want patients to monitor health at home. In fact, a number of communities have grouped to invent and improve communication processes between patient and doctor to reach real-time actions through new technologies of mobile devices and Internet -- the initiatives in Silicon Valley would have an impact on national levels. IBM Innovation Center in San Mateo/Foster City has been actively engaged in such space. UCSF has a dedicated team in asthma care for seeding to a sustainable success model.


This year end may reflect big things and renew many lives -- New leaps are heading for better quality of lifestyle and health care of a choice.



Written on December 10, 2010