The recent economic downturn accelerated a drive to consolidate operational and delivery tasks that was already well under way, even as employees have become both more difficult to manage and more able to 'do’ their own technology.  The range of options now available from IT services and software-as-a-service firms is sufficiently compelling that it often no longer makes sense for IT to ‘produce’ its own solutions.  Instead of manufacturing and driving the cars, IT must learn to direct the traffic while supporting a business organization that is now looking beyond cost reduction, towards innovation and growing the top line.