In this volatile global economy, organizations will have to work harder than ever to stretch their budgets. Having to balance an organization’s budget can be a difficult process, especially when funding is in short supply. Being able to stretch the dollar$ is a real asset for the savvy information professional functioning within the library organization.
There is a new technology on the horizon, developed by IBM, that may offer many benefits for organizations, especially libraries, because it is expected to provide an amazingly large amount of storage capacity at a relatively inexpensive price. It is “racetrack technology” and it is a 3rd generation memory storage feature. Expectations are that it will increase current storage capability by 100 times and it will be safer and cheaper which will positively benefit many libraries and their budgets.
About IBM
IBM is a recognized leader in the technology industry and they have strategic partnerships with Cisco, Oracle, and SAS. IBM has been working on a new storage medium for over 4 years. Their researchers finally announced success just this past year. It is not surprising that IBM is a leader in the development of new storage technology. They are a diverse organization with a modernist approach to organizational culture. With operations in over 70 countries, IBM is truly a global organization with a strong influence from a multitude of cultures.
IBM utilizes three modernist control theories: Cybernetic control; Agency theory; and, Market/Hierarchy/Clan theory. Cybernetic control is apparent with IBM's Artificial Intelligence division. They are involved with AI methodologies such as logic programming, performance management, and electronic commerce. IBM also utilizes a reward system for its managers which helps ensure they make decisions that are in the best interest of the stakeholders. IBM monitors output performance and profitability which is derived from the agency theory. Because IBM is deeply involved with markets in many countries, they have a well-established hierarchy to control their global business operations. With over 60 practice group communities in various areas such as e-business and applications development, IBM is a well-structured global technology leader.
IBM is also committed to research as indicated by their large research facilities in worldwide locations, including the US. IBM is currently working with Taiwanese companies, many of whom design and manufacture much of the IT hardware within technology community. They expect this team-effort will enable racetrack memory chips and cell processors to be used in products designed in Taiwan (Nystedt, 2008). This is a good example of resource dependency theory in action (Hatch, 2006). IBM is forming partnerships with Taiwan businesses because this will enable IBM to continue as a technology leader. They will be able to effectively utilize resources that the Taiwanese businesses can provide for the distribution of racetrack enabled chips.
About Racetrack Technology
Racetrack memory was first patented by Stuart Parkin, a chief researcher at IBM. He believed that racetrack technology could provide faster, cheaper, and higher capacity storage than RAM or hard disk storage (Marks, 2008). The RAM technology available today is quick, but expensive. However, the hard drives are slower, but also cheap. Racetrack memory, once it is commercially available, is expected to be both fast and inexpensive.
Racetrack memory is a three-demensional nanomagnetic memory storage. The data bits (0s and 1s) are stored in extremely small magnetic domains within a tiny U-shaped wire of 50nm which will be housed in silicon. Using a magnetic field, data is written to the domains. Spin-coherent electric current runs through the wire and pushes the domains along a track. Sensors along the track read the data (Johnson, 2008). This read-write capability is in nanoseconds. A single microchip can hold thousands of U-shaped racetracks and operates together in 3D arrays (Marsal, 2008).
Current memory chips are built with 2D components. With the new racetrack technology, memory storage capacity increases at least 10-fold. For comparison purposes, this would mean the current IPOD could hold 100-times more songs (200,000) if it utilized racetrack technology. The new technology is a safer storage method, with longer life expectations than the current memory technology. Racetrack technology has expectations of being the universal memory storage facilitator for the next generation of technology devices (Markoff, 2008).
Impact for Libraries
Organizations such as libraries will have much more storage capacity with racetrack technology, which is especially important in the digital age. Massive amounts of data will be able to be stored in safer, less expensive methods. The 3rd generation memory technology, coming from the new field known as “spintronics” could eventually replace all nonvolatile memories which includes hard-disk drives and flash memory (Markoff, 2008).
Although it is expected to take a few years before the racetrack chips are commercially available, the impact of such technology will surely be felt by libraries. Storage devices are expected to be smaller with much stronger, secure capabilities. Libraries, as storehouses of information, will be able to store much more digital volume at a less expensive cost. This will help stretch the library’s budget$ allocation for storage medium.
It is important for information professionals to keep current on technological advances, especially ones that can impact budgets. The advent of “racetrack memory” developed by IBM is set to revolutionize information storage. This will ultimately bring 3rd generation memory capability to organizations such as libraries, as well as the mainstream public, in just a few short years. And, with a lower pricetag, it is sure to be a big hit with budgets everywhere.
References
Hatch, M. J., & Cunliffe, A. L. (2006). Organization theory: modern, symbolic, and postmodern perspectives (2nd ed.).New York: Oxford University Press.
Markoff, J. (2008). Redefining the Architecture of Memory. Retrieved online November 15, 2008, from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/11/technology/11storage.html
Marks, P. (2008). IBM creates working racetrack memory device. Retrieved online November 15, 2008, from http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13648
Marsal, K. (2008). IBM’s ‘racetrack’ technology could increase iPhone storage tenfold. Retrieved online November 15, 20008, from http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/04/11/ibms_racetrack_technology_could_increase_iphone_storage_tenfold.html
Nystedt, D. (2008). IBM to Work With Taiwan Researcher on Racetrack Memory, Cell. Retrieved online November 15, 2008 from http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/151169/ibm_to_work_with_taiwan_researcher_on_racetrack_memory_cell.html
2 comments:
Wow! Now there's a new technology libraries can use. I will need to keep my eye out for this when it becomes commerically viabl. Imagine the impact this will have on libraries like Standford University and information depositories. Academic libraries will probably be the first to try it out, having the funding and need for this type of storage capacity. This would also be a help with all those electronic databases. My question though is how will it impact retrieval if at all? You are right that this technology has been developed with users in mind making it a symbolic-interpretive perspective. I think this will also fall under environmental theory in that it would help reduce the amount of hardware that ends up in the landfills. Libraries and other organizations will not need to change hardware as quickly in order to have more storage capacity. I think of it as a greener technology.
I found another item within your article which libraries should embrace coming out of IBM. You mentioned that "IBM also utilizes a reward system for its managers which helps ensure they make decisions that are in the best interest of the stakeholders." This is something which could translate well to libraries. Sometimes being innovative and experimental with programs and products is very beneficial. Other times it is a major drain on an already tight budget. Innovation can come from any library, any librarian, no matter the amount of budget but... being aware of what others in the same field are working on can help libraries achieve their goals more quickly. In the past it has seemed that individuals or organization worked "under wraps". Not wanting word to get out about the projects and also not wanting knowledge gained in research to benefit another company. In today's world with the open source movement librarians with innovative ideas are able to see dreams become reality. Not only more quickly but in some cases reality no matter how long it took! Of course, innovation benefits patrons. Managers who recognize and are always looking for ways to improve the libraries imagine within the community should be rewarded. Being a well known librarian in libraryland is not more important than being a great representative for your community as a whole.
Post a Comment