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We are more than ready for a new
year - 2002 is sure to be a huge improvement over 2002! The first issue of
TechConnections for this year includes information about our upcoming
plans. As always, we would love to hear your thoughts and/or needs for
training in 2002.
We wish you all the very best this new year. We look forward to working
with you.
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IT JOBS and SPECIALTIES, 2002
We feel confident 2002 is going to be a great year! The jobs we expect to
see grow range from new technical specialties to increased specialization
for applications developers.
TECHNICAL
SPECIALTIES
Storage Administrator (or
whatever title becomes popular) is a new and rapidly growing job. For many
years, storage management was a function of the operating system, and was
handled by systems programmers along with other duties. Storage management
consisted of creating and managing data backups. Things have changed. The
explosion of data has created the need for new functionality in managing
huge amounts of data. Companies not only have their own internal data to
manage, but are continually retrieving data from Web sites. Both ERP
(Enterprise Resource Planning) and CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
systems require and generate large amounts of data. All this data must be
accessible from many different systems running on different platforms and
using different storage devices. Storage management has become a specialty
for both software and people, and includes both the system technology and
network connectivity for the newer technologies.
Security Specialists have been
in the picture for many years. Security has always been important; the
growth of the Internet made it more important; wireless technology is
making it most important. In fact, the CEO of a major security consultancy,
feels the U.S. alone will have a shortage of between 50,000 and 75,000
security professionals in the next few years. These specialists will have
to protect corporate systems from outside intrusion, and protect the
information traveling over the internet. Security programs must
authenticate both the sender and receiver during any exchange of
information, and encryption technology, including AES (Advanced Encryption
Standard), now uses 128-bit algorithms to protect transmitted information.
Companies will need additional security specialists to incorporate this
technology.
Embedded Systems Developers are
needed to program new and smaller devices. An embedded system is a computer
that is built into a device in such a way that the user is often unaware
that a computer exists at all. This includes the computers in our cars and
microwaves, and in manufacturing production systems, robotics, and Internet
appliances. Internet devices are embedded systems that also access the
Internet, such as smart phones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), and
even the automobile GPS (Global Positioning System). The use of embedded
systems grows on a daily basis, and developing embedded systems requires low
level (close to the hardware) skills.
APPLICATION
SPECIALTIES
Applications specialties will grow in two areas: 1) the applications, and
2) the development process.
Applications
As applications developers gain experience and become more and more senior,
their business, or industry, knowledge becomes as important as any
technical skill. Industry knowledge is important and job requirements will
ask for "experience in transportation." What is becoming more and
more common, is a requirement for a specific application package. An
application "specialty" is not necessarily planned, but often
just happens as a programmer is initially assigned to work on an HR system,
changes jobs and is assigned to the Benefits system, and eventually is part
of the team that brings PeopleSoft's ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)
into the corporation. This person first worked with industry software (HR)
and finally specialized in one software product (PeopleSoft). The most
common software product specialties are ERP systems, but application
software has become so complex that applications developers can specialize
in many different packages. eCommerce, eBusiness, CRM (Customer
Relationship Management), and SCM (Supply Chain Management) packages are
some of the newer specialties.
Development Process
Again, the complexity of applications software, has created specialists in
the development processes: Analysis, Design, and Testing. None of these
specialties are new, but the design and testing specialties are newly
important.
Designer/Modelers Even a
single program has two parts - data and processing, and both need to be
designed. Designers are the architects of the Information Technology world,
and the work they do results in the "blueprints" the programmers
will use to actually write the software. In large construction projects an
architect builds a model of the building that can be used to
"debug" the design. Often something that looks good on flat
paper, doesn't translate as well to a proportional 3D model. The model is also
used to explain the design to ensure that the person who has contracted for
the building is satisfied. Modeling plays the same role in designing
information systems, and the modeling specialty encompasses both data and
process modelers.
Testers This specialty is one
that contains both technical and applications developers and is more and
more important as online and Web systems grow. Online systems require load
and performance testing to make sure that an online system can handle
varying traffic, and automated systems are becoming a popular way of
handling this challenge. Developers must write the test programs for
automated testing. In addition, as systems get more complex and more of the
report generation is being done by non-technical people, additional testing
helps preserve data integrity, security, and accuracy.
It will be a fun year. We're looking forward to watching for these new
jobs, new specialties, and new growth.
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Planning for 2002, of course,
started many months ago. Now we'd like to let you know some of our plans
for the new year.
First, we'll be printing the 14th edition of Computers: Systems, Terms, and Acronyms. This latest
edition will be different from the first 12 editions (notice we skipped the
13th edition), as it will include a one-year subscription to TechRef - our 24/7 online database of
technical information. Our customers loved the book, but we were
continually disappointed with the fact we couldn't keep the glossary
current. By the time we got it back from the printer each year, the
"update" file already had hundreds of new definitions for
inclusion in the next edition. Therefore, we built TechRef which provides us with the
ability to update information daily, if necessary. TechRef stays current - to the day. However,
we all missed the book. In 2002, we will combine these two products - the
printed book and a one-year TechRef
subscription. The printed book will contain the white papers which
comprised the front chapters of previous editions (there will be 17 in the
14th edition) and the generic definitions of standard terms and
technologies which don't really change much from year to year. TechRef contains everything that's in
the print version plus all the product and vendor information - the
changeable data. We're tentatively scheduling a Spring distribution date.
Speaking of TechRef
We will also be offering ASP access to TechRef
in 2002. As IT increasingly becomes part of everyone's job, non-technical
people throughout each corporation need to know more and more about IT.
Therefore, providing access to this database for every employee makes a lot
of sense. We'll host the system and keep it updated 24/7. Some of your
employees will only want an occasional definition of a technical term, but
others will need to understand complete new technologies. Even your
"techies" will benefit from this product when they need a list of
products, a vendor's name or to find out about a product that's outside
their area of expertise. Include TechRef
in your corporate portal and each employee has the access he or she needs.
And, speaking of corporate
We'll be stressing enterprise access to Web-based training. We're not
changing our regularly scheduled public Web-based training, but we will be
doing more Web training for single companies. This allows your company the
opportunity to build a customized training program that can be attended by
employees in different locations. Companies realize the savings of group
training, and have the benefits of flexible scheduling options (no 6:00am
sessions for the West coast!) and make-up options if a participant misses
part of the training.
Visit our Web site:www.semcoenterprises.com
Or call: 407.830.5400
Or email: semco@semcoenterprises.com
for more information.
Curriculum Plans - Computer Terminology
Training
We're looking at wireless, embedded, and voice technology as the emerging
technical areas. We will be updating coverage of these areas in existing
seminars, and perhaps adding Weblets. We presently have Weblets for
wireless and embedded, and plan to add a Weblet for voice in the
third/fourth quarter. In addition, and depending on the economy, we should
be adding cities to our public CSTA schedule in 2002.
Curriculum Plans - Technical Recruiting
Training
We'll continue to offer these sessions as part of any dedicated training,
and as a part of our Web-based public training. We will be looking at
adding workshop sessions to this curriculum so new technical recruiters
have a chance to work with the techniques covered through the sourcing,
screening, interviewing, and negotiating topics.
We'd love to hear from you - what you're interested in, what you'd like to
hear more about, what you'd like to see us provide that's not presently on
our scheduled offerings. This year, as with every year, we want to provide
the service you need - professionally, thoroughly, timely, and in a manner
that allows all of us to have fun!
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1. We know computer chips are small – but how small are
they really?
2. What’s the difference
between:
a.
Best-of-breed
b. Integrated system
c. Single source
3. What is CamelCase?
4. What do The SCO Group,
Conectiva, SuSE, and Turbolinux have in common?
5. How much time does it take
to maintain an email system?
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IT is concentrating on QA (Quality
Assurance) and 2002 will see more concentration on methodologies and
techniques used during development in order improve the quality of
software.
bottom up Application
development technique used in object-oriented programming. Describes any
program development that works from inductive reasoning, which means
developing conclusions from existing facts. Object-oriented program
development is inductive, thus bottom up development. Objects libraries
containing multiple objects are created and programs and systems are then
created from the existing program elements – the objects.
cleanroom software engineering
An approach to software development emphasizing defect prevention. Uses
rigorous engineering-based practices based on mathematical principles.
Team-based, puts greatest emphasis on design. Introduced in the mid-1980s
and used by IBM.
CMM (Capability Maturity Model) Quality
assurance methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of software
development. Defines the principles and practices that should be followed
and defines five levels of effectiveness; initial (ad hoc and chaotic),
repeatable, defined, managed, optimizing (piloting new development ideas
and technologies.) Defined by Software Engineering Institute (SEI) in the
mid-1980s.
IE (Information Engineering) Application
development methodology. Uses top-down planning, data modeling and process
modeling to create enterprise-wide (rather than departmental) application
systems. Uses ERD (Entity-Relationship Diagrams) and data flow diagrams.
Main developers: James Martin and Clive Finkelstein. Introduced: 1981.
JAD (Joint Application Design) Application
development technique used during the design phase of development. Design
is done by a group of people in meeting settings. The group consists of
people from both IT and the user departments, so the users are involved in
the actual design.
MSF (Microsoft Solutions Framework) Development
methodology. Includes a process for the management and development of a
project, guidelines for dealing with problems and risks, and a clear
understanding of the roles and responsibilities of development team members
during the development process.
pair programming Development
technique in which two programmers work together using a single keyboard
and mouse. Skills and knowledge from both programmers are used to develop
programs. Technique used in XP (Extreme Programming).
RAD (Rapid Application Development)
A technique which uses iterative prototyping to develop systems rather than
follow formal design and review requirements. Combines development tools
such as visual/4GLs (4th Generation Language) and/or CASE (Computer Aided
Software Engineering) software with management techniques such as
brainstorming to quickly develop prototypes that can be modified to become
fully operational.
Six Sigma A term used by
statisticians and engineers to describe a state of nearly zero defects.
It's used in IT to define a methodology for quality control during software
development. Focuses on critical core processes to understand customer
requirements, align work processes, and use analytical tools to improve
these processes. Introduced in 1987.
TQM (Total Quality Management)
Terminology used to describe a methodology of quality control for software
development. Works with ongoing refinements of the software product and
continual feedback. Software is then constantly improved with small
increments. ISO 9000 uses TQM. Developed by IBM in the mid-1970s.
UML (Unified Modeling Language) Development
methodology and notational format used in object analysis and design. Works
with all object-oriented methodologies. Using UML (Unified Modeling
Language), developers define a three-tiered model of the application: user
interface, business logic and database. Works with all object-oriented
methodologies. Developed by Booch, Jacobson, and Rumbaugh in the late
1990s.
XP (Extreme Programming) A
development methodology that uses programming teams, constant testing, and
collaborative ownership of programs and systems. At every step, analysis
and design are reviewed to keep errors out of the code. Operates on the
principle of not allowing errors into systems. Uses pair programming.
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Computers: Systems, Terms And
Acronyms
January NYC area: 9,10 /
Atlanta: 30,31
February DC: 10,11
March Chicago: 13,14 / NYC
area: 24,25
Webinars
All Webinars are 90 minutes and listed
start times are ET (Eastern Time)
Understanding IT Jobs
JanuaryFebruary 5 (9:30 am) /
18 (1:00 pm)
March 3 (11:00 am) / 20 (1:00
pm)
Platforms
February 5 (11:30 am)
March 3 (3:00 pm)
Development
February 5 (1:30 pm)
March 4 (11:00 am)
Files and Databases
February 6 (11:00 am)
March 4 (1:00 pm)
Communications
February 6 (1:00 pm)
March 5 (9:30 am)
Networking
January 22 (11:00 am)
February 7 (1:00 pm)
March 5 (11:30 am)
Applications
February 7 (11:00 am)
March 3 (1:00 pm)
Weblets
All Weblets are 45 minutes and listed
start times are ET (Eastern Time)
Knowledge Management
January 22 (1:00 pm)
February 5 (3:15 pm)
March 4 (2:45 pm)
Wireless Technology
January 22 (3:00 pm)
February 7 (2:45 pm)
March 5 (2:30 pm)
Embedded Systems
January 22 (2:00 pm)
February 6 (2:45 pm)
March 5 (1:30 pm)
eTR
Webinars
All Webinars are 90 minutes and listed
start times are ET (Eastern Time)
Recruiting Overview
January 23 (11:30 am)
February 18 (11:00 am)
March 20 (11:00 am)
Understanding IT Jobs
January 23 (1:30 pm)
February 18 (1:00 pm)
March 20 (1:00 pm)
Weblets
All Weblets are 45 minutes and listed
start times are ET (Eastern Time)
Sourcing
January 23 (3:15 pm)
February 18 (2:45 pm)
March 20 (2:45 pm)
Screening
January 24 (11:30 am)
February 19 (11:00 am)
March 21 (11:00 am)
Interviewing
January 24 (1:00 pm)
February 19 (12:30 pm)
March 21 (12:30 pm)
Negotiating
January 24 (2:00 pm)
February 19 (1:30 pm)
March 21 (1:30 pm)
Enroll
Now!
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1. There are many ways of defining size, but one
commonly used is by microns, which define the width of a computer chip.
Current chips range from .13 to .25 microns. To put this in perspective, a
human hair is approximately 50 microns wide, almost 1,000 times as wide as
the chip.
2. These terms all refer to
ways of building a complex system, and usually refer to types of ERP
(Enterprise Resource Planning) systems.
a.
A best-of breed system uses applications from different vendors. For
example, a company could purchase HR software from PeopleSoft, financials
from Oracle, and manufacturing software from SAP. Interfaces would have to
be built between the disparate software. This approach is usually the most
expensive, but gives the most functionality.
b. and c. Integrated system
and single source system both refer to a complete system purchased from a
single vendor. Usually a single source system is entirely written by the
vendor, while an integrated system is one in which the vendor purchased
some (if not all) of the parts and wrote the interfaces. These systems are
less expensive to purchase and maintain, but usually do not offer as much
functionality.
3. CamelCase is a naming
convention that builds names by joining multiple words with the first
letter of each word capitalized. Upper CamelCase uses an upper case letter
for the name, while lower camelcase uses a lower case letter in the name.
Accepted by several standards including SOAP (Simple Object Access
Protocol), and XMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language).
4. These companies are
developing UnitedLinux, which is is a standards-based, worldwide Linux.
This allows Linux vendors, software vendors, hardware vendors, and OEMs
(Original Equipment Makers) to support a single Linux. SCO Group (formerly
Caldera) and SuSE released versions in 2002.
5. A lot longer than most of
us think! Some statistics: Sixty percent of business-critical information
is stored within corporate messaging systems. A typical 3000-user email
system will handle more than one terabyte (trillion bytes) of message
traffic annually. Over 80 percent of end-users cannot retrieve archived
messages without the help of the IT department. The average IT
administrator spends 5-6 hours per week recovering old messages. For email
messages over a year old, it can take an email administrator 11 hours to
recover the message. IT administrators spend an average of 8 hours per week
backing up email systems.
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