Hi guys. It's a very interesting discussion. There are a lot of contradicting statements and everybody has right in it. It is therefore because the words are not very definitiv and the sentences are rather general.
1) what is IT? Information Technology was evolved form software (development) and HW (usage) with a lot of specialisation step. There are a lot of parts of IT which started an independent life. There are a lot of areas which integrated into IT. There are a lot of influences (viewpoints) which make the situation more complex.
So "IT" has today no meaning any more. But id anybody can give an actual definiton (even one which is velid after 4 years yet) I will be ver??y thankful.
2) the same is true about company organistaion. "IT department" has also no sustainable definition.
3) I am also not sure about the meaning of "consultant" - I think the main content of that word is imported knowledge, but consulency is surely not a result of changing profession and getting knowledge and then sell it.
So here is my 2pence(s):

1) I agree that PM and developers have important and surviving role.
the centralised IT department will be smaller
2) "IT department" will have an integrator role, where handling information coming from business will have a significant part as well as handling the "imported" knowledge (services)
3) The inmportance of Software and development will increase. The quality must be assured. The companies will need software which represents knowledge. Today's knowledge workers and business experts will be able to communicate these "departments" in order to transform not only the way software is written, but the way knowledge itself is managed and have the software they need. (see intentional SW).
4) there will be a lot of "SaaS" but companies who care their knowledge within their walls (brick or virtual) will assure their prosperity. (nevertheless or just therefore the service provider will live well).
5) The importance and role of PMs is an other capitel. I agree with Zzyzyx, solutions must be architected at enterprise level (in-house, centrally).The role described as "PM" really involves the role of Enterprise/Solution Architect. Project Managers , will be responsible of gathering business requirements and communicating with stakeholders about the technology solutions --> @ben.awuah)

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