White Paper, Article, & Complimentary Report Press Releases

Our distinguished staff of experts write white papers, articles, and reports providing interesting perspectives on technology and telecom issues, as well as examples of actual forecasting projects. Some of the papers mentioned below, as well as others, are available on TFI's White Papers, Articles, and Complimentary Reports webpage. Press releases for TFI reports and papers for purchase can be found at Technology and Telecom Reports Press Releases.

TFI Provides 19 Top Technology Trends for 2007 TFI Ushers in the New Year with Special Trend Paper!: For the fourth year running, Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI) provides a list of forward-looking trends for the coming year that will have significant impact on companies that use technology for competitive advantage. These predictions differ from our normal activities where TFI traditionally looks further out into the future. Commenting on the list, author David Smith (Vice President, TFI) states, “2005 and 2006 were periods spent building capacity and capabilities. 2007 and 2008 are years of transition. We saw tipping points in 2007 in several technology areas, such as broadband penetration and the death of single core processing chips.” He continues, "2008 will be a dynamic year impacted by possible actions such as the potential financial instability including the threat of recession, changes in the geopolitical environment, and further changes to the landscape of business." (December 2007)

Mechatronics, A Technology Forecast: Mechatronics involves the integration of mechanical and electrical systems with control systems and information technology. These "intelligent mechanical systems" are the foundation of many 21st century enabling technologies. This 130-page publication, Mechatronics, A Technology Forecast, co-authored by Technology Futures, Inc. staff, includes an overview of mechatronic technology and analysis of related occupations and salaries, inventory of existing mechatronic curriculum and considerations for colleges considering developing related programs, and lists of industry experts and mechatronics companies. A COMPLIMENTARY copy of the report is available to you and your readers at http://www.tfi.com/pubs/white.html#mechatronics. (July 2007)

TFI Provides Top Technology Trends for 2007: For the third year running, TFI provides a list of forward-looking trends for the coming year that will have significant impact on companies that use technology for competitive advantage. Commenting on "TFI Provides Top Technology Trends for 2007," the author, David Smith (Vice President, TFI) states, "2005 and 2006 were periods spent building capacity and capabilities. We characterize 2007 as one of transition. We see tipping points in several technology areas, consequently positioning many companies in a multitude of markets. Two examples of these tipping points are broadband penetration and the death of single core processing chips." The list provides more information on these trends and others. (January 2007)
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Manufacturing Transformation: Reed's Law and Self-Forming Groups: Manufacturers must evolve into a new model of networking and collaboration if they are to succeed in today's business environment, according to David Smith, Vice President, Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI). Technology changes are now being guided by Reed's Law and self-forming groups. For more about TFI's work in this area, please see Mr. Smith's recent article, Globalization Transformation The manufacturing sector cannot miss out on this change if it hopes to thrive in the emerging business economy. (November 2006)

Top 7 Technology Trends for 2006: Once again, TFI provides important emerging technology trends for 2006 and beyond developed through our 27 years of forecasting, strategy, and analysis work. David Smith states, "Comparing this year's trends to TFI's list of trends for 2005, we see the trends as being still on the mark, with continuing progress being made in all the areas outlined last year. In Top 7 Technology Trends for 2006 we outline some of the developments and provide some new trends and enhancements." (December 2005)

Strategic Roadmaps: Technology Futures, Inc., announces the publication of a new white paper describing how to create roadmaps for long-range planning that target the right approach, involve the appropriate group intelligence, and provide a specific level of detail. Authored by David Smith (Vice President, TFI), Strategic Roadmaps addresses these issues in a practical way by using an analogy to travel maps. (June 2005)
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Emerging Technology Programs for Texas Colleges: Advanced Digital Manufacturing, Hybrid Vehicles, Micro-Electromechanical Systems, and Computer Forensics Three Emerging Technology Employment Opportunities.: A new report from Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI), identifies four emerging technologies worthy of detailed analysis, and found three offered promising opportunities for college graduates including advanced digital manufacturing, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), and computer forensics. Demand for technical careers in the hybrid vehicles industry was found to be limited. TFI and the report's sponsor, Texas State Technical College (TSTC) System, are now making available a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this 76-page report to you and your readers at http://www.tfi.com/pubs/white.html. (January 2005)

TFI Provides 2005 Trends that will Catalyze the Future: What are the important emerging technology and policy trends for 2005 and beyond? Popular futurist and technologist David Smith (Vice President, Technology Futures, Inc, [TFI]) provides important emerging technology trends developed through TFI's forecasting, strategy, and analysis work. These trends will be of great consequence to those involved with global business, technology business process, science and universities, government agencies, federal labs, corporate labs, and technology savvy consumers. (December 2004)

Homeland Security: A Technology Forecast: The events of September 11, 2001 created dramatic employment opportunities for technology- related jobs growth in the homeland security (HS) area. According to a new report from Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI), "Homeland Security: A Technology Forecast," seven technology areas will ultimately make up the technical underpinnings for the nations homeland security agenda, and will serve as major areas of potential employment. TFI is now making available a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this 124-page report to YOU and YOUR READERS at <http://www.tfi.com/pubs/white.html>. (Texas media version) (November 2004)
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Fuel Cells: A Technology Forecast: According to a new report, Fuel Cells: A Technology Forecast, the opportunities for those willing to make the necessary commitments to become leaders in the fuel cell field could be very significant in terms of capital infusion and job creation. The 80-page report written by John H. Vanston, Ph.D. (Chairman, Technology Futures, Inc. [TFI]) and Henry Elliott (Analyst, TFI), and sponsored by the Texas State Technical College (TSTC), discusses the fuel cell industry, the different types of fuel cell markets, and the use of fuel cells in electric power production and motor vehicles. The report is available to you and your readers for FREE. (Texas media version) (February 2003)

Nanotechnology: A Technology Forecast: What is the current state of the nanotechnology? What factors might accelerate or deter development of nanotech markets? What career opportunities are available? This report, written by John H. Vanston, Ph.D. (Chairman, Technology Futures, Inc. [TFI]) and Henry Elliott (Analyst, TFI), and sponsored by the Texas State Technical Colleges (TSTC), offers answers to these questions and more. The 98-page report is available to you and your readers for FREE at http://www.tfi.com/pubs/white.html . (September 30, 2003)

TFI Assists Life Sciences Initiative Select Eight Industry Targets to Focus Efforts, Guide Investment: With the wide diversity of industries in the life sciences arena and the cycle times of technology often being so quick, it's becoming increasingly important to have a system on which to focus economic development targets for the industry at the country, state, and regional level. Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI) and Washington D.C.'s New Economy Strategies have just completed a study for the Central Indiana Life Sciences Initiative that does just that. (April 2003)
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New Process for Forecasting Emerging Technologies: Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI) and the Texas State Technical Colleges (TSTC) System announce a new process, Programs for Emerging Technologies (PET), to improve an organization's economic and technological competitiveness by identifying emerging technologies and then forecasting their related technology advances, market development, and employment opportunities. (The full report, Forecasting Technical Program Needs, is also available.) (January 29, 2003)

Residential Broadband Forecasts: Technology Futures, Inc., announces the publication of a new white paper giving forecasts for residential broadband data rates. Authored by Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D. (President, TFI), Residential Broadband Forecasts provides long-term forecasts supporting the view that U.S. broadband adoption is on track and that, barring major business or regulatory mistakes, long-term optimism for broadband is justified. (August 2002)
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To arrange an interview with a staff member or request more information about our activities and/or publications, please contact Ms. Carrie Vanston, Media Relations Director, at (800) TEK-FUTR, (512) 258-8898, or by email at cvanston@tfi.com.

White Paper, Article, & Complimentary Report Press Releases

Practical Tips for Forecasting New Technology Adoption [PDF]

Technology Forecasts for US Telecommunications Network [PDF]