The future of software? Imagine a bot, stamping on a human face – forever

The software industry is experiencing a significant wave of commoditization, which threatens to replace skilled workers with automated solutions. This trend has led to a consolidation of choices in both hardware and software markets, resulting in a landscape dominated by a few major players. In hardware, the market has narrowed to primarily x86 PCs and a limited range of ARM devices. In software, the options have dwindled to a few operating systems, with Windows and Unix-like systems being the most prominent. The commoditization process is now extending to network-scale systems, where the choice of operating systems and hardware becomes less significant as organizations become entrenched in specific vendor ecosystems. This shift is exacerbated by the increasing automation of deployment and management tools, which makes it easier to replace skilled workers with less experienced personnel. As automation tools become more prevalent, the demand for highly skilled Unix technicians may decline, leading to a workforce that is cheaper and more interchangeable. The article warns that this trend could ultimately undermine the career paths of many IT professionals, as companies prioritize cost-cutting and efficiency over long-term workforce development.

- The software industry is facing significant commoditization, threatening skilled jobs.

- Hardware and software markets are consolidating, leaving fewer choices for consumers.

- Automation tools are making it easier to replace skilled workers with less experienced staff.

- The trend towards network-scale commoditization is reducing the importance of operating systems and hardware.

- Companies are prioritizing cost-cutting over the development of skilled IT professionals.