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IT Career Overview
Learning and education is still largely based in classrooms. This traditional mode of learning would probably never get outdated. The direct interaction between the teacher and the taught enables the teacher to quickly adapt instruction to the student's needs, gauge progress, solve problems, test as they go along. Careers and courses listed here are in the following domains:
Software Technology
• Computer Hardware and Networking
• Operating Systems and Programming Langauages
• Databases and RDBMS
• Enterprise Resource Planning
• Mobile Computing
• Multimedia
• Web Development
• IT enabled services
Software Technology
Software development or programming requires you to have a knowledge of a particular programming language and an algorithm (a set of procedures) to solve a problem. You develop the algorithm first and then program it using mathematical and data-processing techniques. Programming is critical since if the system is not correctly programmed, it delivers information results that cannot be used. You call it a packaged software when you buy an existing software like Microsoft Office or Adobe PageMaker. A customised software is one where a program is built from scratch. It is also classified as a system software which comprise language translators, operating systems, utilities which help a user interact with the machine and application software which solve a particular problem and may be a spreadsheet, a word processor, a database management system or a customised solution.
A long-term career course in Computer software and Information technology has emerged as the right choice for the suitably inclined youngsters. These courses could be a B Tech degree from one of the engineering colleges, an MCA or a career oriented long term diploma from one of the private IT training institute.
If you are in school currently pursuing Science courses with Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, a B. Tech from IIT in Computer Science could be your best bet to launch a career in the exciting world of Information Technology provided you clear the cut-throat JEE. Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs) and scores of other engineering colleges attached to universities or private institutes also offer an under-graduate degree. Already a graduate - MCA could be considered or a post graduate diploma which ranges from 6 months to 3 years.
Some of the courses in Computers/Information Technology available are listed below. For specific technologies or domains in IT, search again.
Computer Hardware and Networking
Computer hardware and networking are the basic building blocks of the computer systems. Most of today's computer designs are based on concepts developed by John Von Neumann, called Von Neumann architecture. A CPU comprising the arithmetic logic unit and control unit is the most important component of the computer hardware. All arithmetic and l;ogical operations are performed in the CPU in special storage areas called registers even as the control unit interprets the code to generate respective control signal. Besides the CPU, a Von Neumann machine also has a main memory and an I/O or Input/Output system. A system bus connects the three.
Networking is the process of interconnecting computers whether in a local area (LAN) or wide area (WAN), using a combination of switches, hubs, routers, cables which could be twisted, copper or fibre. An example of all employees' machines in a single building connected to each other is LAN whereas when the same company connects it's distributors and suppliers across the country to form a network to exchange information, it is an example of a WAN or a Wide Area Network.
A Virtual Private Network or VPN is the hottest concept in this field and an example of convergence of technologies. Here a company, instead of maintaining a WAN of it's own, hosts it's applications on the internet, generally through an ISP. It results in saving of as much as 20 to 50 percent in installation and operation costs. So, you need not have dedicated lines running to all your offices and partners but whoever need to use an application, login to the application hosted on the net, submit authentication information and work.
Though hardware and networking professionals might miss the mobility and excitement associated with today's web programming and multimedia world, a hardware or a networking professional is certainly indispensable and works on the cutting edge of technology. This is one area in which demand for skilled professionals never ceases. A graduate degree like B Tech in Computer Science would take you to the field. You would however require specialised training to keep up with trends in technology specially with developments in broadband access, mobile computing, Private institutes which offer training are :
Operating Systems and Programming Langauages
Operating System
An operating system acts as an interface between users and the hardware of a computer system. It has procedures for operating a computer and providing an environment for execution of programmes. User interacts with the computer through operatring system in order to accomplish his task since it is his primary interface with the computer. They are generally classified as batch operating system, multi-programming operating system, network operating system and distributed operating system.
Windows9x (for home computers), MacOS, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Unix (which has several versions or flavours, as they are called like SCO and Digital or the free versions like BSD or Linux), Sun Solaris, Novell Netware NOS are some of the popular operating systems.
Since professionals working on operating systems development need to have knowledge at both the ends - hardware and the applications, one should know how the components are integrated. One need to have knowledge of working of he operating system to use it as a platform for development of applications over a particular operating system. Operating Systems are an essential part of any long term course in Computers. See the Software engineering courses.
Programming Language
We discussed operating system as a systems program above. An application program is designed for specific computer application. It helps the programmer by providing instructions that make it easy to input data, produce output, do calculations and store and retrieve data. COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language) - a business programming language reigned the world of business computing for three decades and is reputed to have hosted the Y2k bug. FORTRAN (Formula Translation) is the equivalent in scientific programming languages. C and C++ are the most commonly used programming languages today specially the latter which is based on the popular OOPS (Object Oriented Programming System). Java, as the operating system independent language is the toast of the internet programmers today.
Databases and RDBMS
A database program is designed to store hundreds and thousands of pieces of information and organise them in a very structured manner to suit a business's requirements. It can select certain groups, answer queries, find specified data and generate detailed report. Microsoft Access, Foxpro and the good old dbase are some of the popular DBMS packages.
For a database management system to be called Relational Database Management System (RDBMS), it need to satisfy some 13 rules called Codd rules (after EF Codd). An RDBMS has enhanced security, authentication features. Data is stored in rows and columns in tables. A database designer analyses the business problem and decides on the logic to organise data in tables. A developer works on SQL, short for Structured Query Language to retrieve, update and delete data in rows and columns and modify the database structures through DML or data manipulation language and DDL or data dictionary language commands commands. He also works on PL/SQL, for Procedural language SQL to program and Developer 2000 or Visual Basic to design the front-end or simply forms to input data and reports to retrieve desired information.
Oracle8, Microsoft SQL server, MySQL, Sybase, Ingress are some of the popular RDBMS systems.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
An ERP software is a business application which integrates the entire enterprise. Instead of disparate softwares working on possibly different platforms and capabilities. An ERP is implemented across the organisation or at least a substantial part of it and different modules of this software have the capability to talk to each other. Visualise a sales person keying in an order in the Order-entry module of an ERP system, say, Oracle Applications. He immediately interfaces with the inventory module to know the stock position of the item, interfaces the WIP or Work In Process and depending on the position, commit to the customer. What would have happened if he were to work in a system where the inventory department is running Access on NT, Marketing is not automated and HR has a Oracle database. Longer time to coordinate, loss of business, delay in response to customer.
Similarly, the set of modules to handle Supply-chain, called Purchasing and Accounts payable, handle the entire process from Requisitions, Request for Quotation (RFQ), Quotation, Purchase Order, receipt of goods, returns and finally payments. The General Ledger module gets updated as transactions take place. Employees are managed through the HR module. One sets up customers in the ERP system, warehouses and inventory locations, in short, map the enterprise processes to the ERP solution.
Working on a client-server model with a database at the back-end and various entities like organisation's offices, stores and plants connected through WAN, ERP brought about a revolution in business applications in the nineties and has seen much evolution recently. For instance, most ERP software vendors have upgraded their products to make them web-enabled so that it can be hosted on the web, users can access the application over the web, partners like suppliers and customers, with necessary authorisation, transact and interact with the application. This aspect is called Extended ERP. An ERP is therefore a packaged software with sufficient scope for customisation for an entire enterprise. Since, different countries operate in different types of tax regimes, business practices and customs, country and environment customisation is important. Similarly, ERP for different industries like defence, insurance have been built. This is besides what a company customises on it's own. ERP provides the facility to work with a pre-built package and modify it a little (or more though it is not recommended) to suit the organisation's processes.
Both technical and functional consultants work on an ERP implementation project. A functional consultant is typically from Accounts and Finance, Manufacturing, Sales who studies the processes, charts out a strategy to map the processes over the ERP package, decide the type and extent of customisation required (modifying the software to suit the company's processes). A technical consultant does the technical implementation by installing and maintaining the system, modifying the software where required.
SAP, Oracle Applications, BAAN, Peoplesoft, JD Edwards are some big names in the global ERP vendors sweepstakes. MakESS and Ramco Systems' e.applications are some Indian ERP vendors.
Mobile Computing
To cater to the increasing number of mobile workers and those working out of their homes, mobile computing is finally making it's presence felt in India. And we are not talking of only laptop computers here. We are talking of your mobile phones and PDAs being used to access the internet. And given the fact that services like financial and banking information, personal schedules, company databases and access to e-mail and internet are some of the critical elements to track when on the move. All this would be available to the busy worker very soon. So that you get stock quotes, banking information and prices in your industry through mobile portals, work on a spreadsheet on your handheld computer when you are touring and synchronise with the one on your desktop when you are back or even buy a book on your mobile handset. And work on mobile computing represents the cutting edge of technology today. Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) has emerged as an open, global standard for communication between a mobile handset and the internet and other computer applications.
There are two genres of technology here - mobile phones like Smart phones and WAP phones and hand-held computers or PDAs. Who would survive between them is hard to say but it is possible that both find their own niches. Hand held computers, for instance running Windows CE as an operating system allows you to work on your spreadsheets and word processor, browse internet and interact with your laptop or the desktop. It can work with a reasonably large amount of data. A WAP based mobile phone like Nokia 7110 can for instance, help you get banking, financial, travel information in an interactive mode with a mobile portal. SMS or Short Messaging Service, which can work on the existing mobile phones available in the market has already been introduced by a few operators and would dominate till the WAP phones proliferate.
A few facts shoould convince you of the potential of mobile computing, mobile internet access and WAP:
Reports say that the number of wireless subscribers will break one billion mark by 2004.
According to another report by The Strategis Group, there will be more than 530 million wireless subscribers by 2001. Handset manufacturers representing 90% of the world market across all technologies have committed to shipping of WAP-enabled devices. And such a commitment will provide 10's of millions of WAP browser-enabled products by the end of year 2000.
Multimedia
Multimedia can never probably be defined comprehensively. It can be considered as text, graphics, images, video and audio in a computer. One of it's key features is interactivity, it being a non-linear medium and it's capability to convey rich interactive information to the user - an advantage over the conventional form of media like TV and audio. Some people also visualise multimedia as a combination of TV and computer whereas others consider it as a new generation of computer applications . A few examples - MPEG (Moving Pictures Expert Group), flow communication terminals also called digital set-top boxes and MP3 to compress and tranmit audio. Multimedia enables a communicator to convey the message using one or more of audio, video, graphics, text and has compelling applications in education and entertainment.
A multimedia professional is truly a convergence professional who is required to be creative and a good communicator, have an aesthetic sense and also have a good understanding of technology. Out-of the-box thinking and creative solutions are expected from them. Some of the multimedia centric courses are listed below though several web development courses listed in other pages also offer training in working with multimedia as part of developing web applications.
Web Development
Development of websites containing content, community and commerce features is an extremely skillful, creative and difficult art and science. It involves mapping concepts, thinking logic, creating stories, working with a blend of creativity and technology to come out with a superior product. You also need to achieve balance in easy navigation, user friendly interface, attractive design, faster download. Your objective is to get your target audience to use your site for a longer time and have a superior experience with your web based service.
Website creation involves broadly conceptualisation, design and programming. You need to first evaluate feasibility, define the business model, develop the concept, prepare specifications. Then comes the design part whch involves taking the graphics shots, design navigation and flow fo the programme. Programming would involve working with functionalities, designing programs running on server or client, designing and implementing databases, database connectivity. A web development professional should ideally understand aspects of business as well as technology and also have a compelling specialisation in one of the technologies.
There has been a flood of courses on web development, web design, e-commerce, e-business and one need to choose after a careful thought to the course components and how does your aptitude maps to it. For instance, a hardcore technologist with good logic skills could opt for a more technology intensive course which has a substantial component of programming, web server and networking. A creative professional might opt for a design centric course. These are general conclusions and final decision must be taken after evealuating the aptitude, interest and experience of the individual candidate. A typical course is 6 months to one year long (or 400 to 800 hours of training). The introduction module typically has browsing, searching, transacting, Windows and Computing concepts. The design component consist of training in multimedia and design software like Photoshop, shockwave, Flash, working with audio and video, file formats like MP3, MPEG, JPEG, imaging, design and layout, 3D animation, text animation etc. The programming component has Java, HTML, DHTML, CORBA, CGI, OOPS, ColdFusion etc. Databasees like Oracle 8i and SQL Server, database integration using JDBC, installing and configuring servers, security issues etc are also covered. If the course is essentially an e-commerce course, it would also cover internet advertising, shopping cart creation, cyberlaws etc. There are some point-and-click website creation software available too like FrontPage 2000, HotMetal, e-commerce packages like Net.Commerce and configuring and using them is included in some cases. Also look at which platform(s) would you like to build skills on. Linux, for instance, coupled with MySQL RDBMS and Apache webserver are hot technologies today since more and more websites choose them for their robust reliability and lower total cost.
E-business Application Development Professional from IBM education which is offered by several IBM education partners like Aptech, SQL Star, Pentafour, Mars, Majestic Software
IT enabled services
IT enabled services are the processes and services that are provided remotely. The end-users and the service providers are not located at the same geographical location. These services are delivered over networks which might be in the private domain or over secure public networks and are generally outsourced though own subsidiary and a joint venture are also found. These services are increasingly cross-border. One need to differentiate IT enabled services from e-business, remote production etc. Call-centres, medical transcription, insurance claims processing, back office operations, pay roll, animations, are some areas where IT enabled services can potentially be outsourced to the extent of 50 to 90 percent and 50 to 70 percent of costs can be saved on these services. These areas typically do not require advanced local capabilities, can be standardised, require standard interfaces and do not require physical presence at the home location. The NASSCOM-Mckinsey study estimates that the opportunity in IT-enabled services would be worth $140 billion by the year 2008 and India is rightly placed to tap a part of it. Several global companies have already taken advantages of lower HR cost in India to locate their services. These include GE for back office operations, Bechtel for CAD and 3D modellign services, British Airways' subsidiary - World Network Services for airline back office, Healthscribe for transcription of medical records, Convergys provides customer care and billing to 3Com and others. The services provided could be asynchronous (request and response at different times like transcription, translation, e-mail response) or synchronous (same time like chat, handling customer telephone calls). The student should have an excellent command over the English language, good auditory and comprehension skills. A trainee gets a stipend and typically starts the career at Rs. 5000 per month. Proofreaders and editors of course are paid more.
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