Compute architectures are fast evolving to serve changing business scenarios and needs. We frequently hear the difficulties that you face as options emerge. The difficulties are rooted in deciding whether to use commodity or fit-for-purpose compute architectures, whether for generative AI, data-intensive applications, or edge deployments. This also ties closely to the central role that these technologies will play in enterprise digital transformation. We researched all architectures available in the market, as well as where and how they apply.

We recently published a report, The Forrester Tech Tide™: Computing Architectures, Q2 2023, that presents the maturity and business value of these architectures/technologies. The architectures we reviewed span the gamut from edge — small form-factor devices, custom silicon, or time-tested devices such as x86 PCs and ARM mobile — to the latest developments, such as RISC-V and quantum platforms. The architectures discussed affect all players in the compute ecosystem: tech leaders, infrastructure pros, developers, and tech vendors. Each technology was classified into one of four quadrants:

  • Low maturity and low business value technologies. Most enterprises should limit their exposure to these technologies to bounded experiments. This is where many new exciting technologies land.
  • Low maturity and high business value technologies. These new technologies have ripened to the point where enterprises can confidently invest.
  • High maturity and high business value technologies. These are the bread-and-butter technologies that most enterprises rely on to run their business.
  • High maturity and low business value technologies. These older technology categories have reached a point where their business value has dropped.

We have added a short list of vendors that participate in each respective segment.

Use this research to ensure that your organization’s investments are focused on value rather than hype. If you’d like a deeper dive, please set up an inquiry with Tracy Woo, Naveen Chhabra, or Alvin Nguyen.