A constant in technology is change. In fact, we expect IT to transform – sometimes quickly, sometimes over years. However, in 2000, when we began a study tour on 3G mobile devices, little did we know we were starting a journey that would drive our research for the next decade.

As a result of our 2000 Tour, we knew three important things about the consumerization of information technology. We found that one size no longer fits all, that employees like to be treated like adults, and that the enterprise is a niche player in the consumer space.

Since then we have learned, and written, a great deal more about consumerization, but only a few firms have capitalized on our findings – until now.

Over the past decade, the most notable changes are:

• Employees have changed. Many of them are now "double-deep" – they know both the business and the technology relevant to their jobs, and sometimes they know that technology better than IT specialists.
• Executives have changed. Many of them have purchased their own tablets or smartphones. Farsighted CIOs are configuring iPads for grateful boards of directors, much like they installed home broadband and WiFi for them years ago.
• Technology is easier to use. A decade ago it took a specialist to configure a router. Today, think about how many of your neighbors have successfully installed wireless Internet routers in their homes without even asking for help.
• Products and services are consumerized. Public infrastructure services, such as Voice over IP and Cloud Computing, are available to anyone, and you can pay "by the drink" and at scale. The original PC cost $5,000 for two floppies and a basic printer. Today, you can get started with Cloud for around $25.

At the same time we have new disruptors, including social media, mobility, big data, and the need to drive innovation by collaborating with "weak ties" outside the firewall, anywhere around the globe.