Developments during the past year illustrate that contrast. In this year's Technology Trends annual report, we examine both the success stories and the controversies. We also take a peek at a few promising technologies that are impatiently waiting in the wings for their turn in the spotlight. ASPs companies that rent out software applications make costly software more affordable to small and mid-market companies.
Hubs serve as electronic trading centers where deals can be made in a secure, impartial environment.
Meanwhile, measures are underway to make transactions simpler and more secure. Safe Transactions of all sizes could be jeopardized by the security holes that made headlines during the year. The demand to plug security leaks has overwhelmed the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, and prompted enterprise security experts to rethink their own strategies. Hopes are high that digital signature technology will help reduce fraud and speed transactions over the Net. Funding the Action Security concerns aren't stopping investment capital from being funneled into promising dot-com companies.