In Pictures: 10 technologies that changed business forever

The applications, devices and services that have changed the way we do business often started as small-scale alternatives to the status quo. Now we can't survive without them.

8. Multi-Core Processors

There was a time when the CPU in a server or desktop computer could only handle one computing chore at a time. Intel introduced multi-core processors to the masses. The impact goes well-beyond being able to run an HD video in the background while you check your e-mail. Rob Enderle, principal analyst at Enderle Group, says multi-core paved the way for legitimate multi-tasking. Important apps such as virus scanners suddenly became more viable, he says, because the processes did not inhibit the CPU.

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