Arch Ventures Partners has made investments in companies producing radio frequency ID tag and grid computing products, but may next put its money in companies developing products that exploit the nascent dual-core and multicore chip.As single-core chips get faster, they require more power to operate. That drives up electricity costs. The chips also become very hot to the point they may damage the computer. That?s one reason dual- and multi-core chips are an interest to business-technology managers who operate large data centers, says Patrick Ennis, managing director at Arch Venture.

These new microprocessors also will have a major impact on how IT staffs develop apps. Dual- and multicore chips have the ability for the cores to communicate with one another while processing a task. Today, using parallel computing techniques, chips don?t communicate with one another while processing a job. "Multicore chips uses resources more effectively," Ennis says. So, he adds, business-technology managers will need to place greater emphasis on systems design and staffing their operations to meet this coming demand.