Technological innovations: endless possibilities.

• Position: In focus: a message from the editors - Editorial

Thanks to advancements in information technology, we can do things today that some of us never dreamed possible a mere 10 or 15 years ago. We can communicate with colleagues around the world without picking up a telephone; we can conduct business without opening our doors; and we can store massive amounts of data that are -- theoretically, anyway -- easy to retrieve at any given time.

Indeed, the amount of information at our fingertips -- and the task of managing it -- is staggering. Given the speed of innovation, it is imperative that records and information management (RIM) professionals stay abreast of information technology advances and the trends they create. Many of these current trends are the focus of articles in this issue of the Journal.

We begin by looking at how information technology is shaping our profession by changing executives' expectations of the role information management professionals play within the enterprise. In "The Writing on the Wall," we get a glimpse of what is ahead for RIM professionals in light of the changing role of chief information officers and the emerging trend of integrating RIM and information systems functions.

Several technology innovations are the focus of Alan Andolsen's article "On the Horizon." This article provides both short- and long-term views of the technologies that are changing the business landscape. Wireless technology is just one of five technologies Andolsen profiles that has the potential to profoundly impact information management within the next couple of years.

Phase two of the Internet has captured the attention of technology futurist Arthur Esch in "Internet II: The Adventure Continues." As this...