Branded general-purpose servers first gave way to servers with preloaded software, then to hardware optimized for workload with the preloaded software. That doubled by the third quarter. But that was just the beginning. New enhanced workload management software for dynamically changing a server's configuration or workload. New low-power processors that enable server rack populations in the hundreds and innovations building on these advances.
Blades are already in use in telecom, military, medical imaging and industrial applications.
First, you can expect a mismatch in the hardware capabilities of racks of server blades and the software you need to manage and reconfigure them dynamically. You may be writing code yourself, but then again, you'll have much noticeable improvement in your ability to guarantee performance to your end users. Second, you'll need some new skills in tech support, maintenance and systems management as well as design. Finally, if you can't adapt to these new technologies within, say, the next five years, you may find your data center outsourced. These new technologies will offer those who use them flexibility and performance over today's general-purpose servers that are about equal to the advantages nuclear submarines have over diesel boats.