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| INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY |  | The history of Information Technology is inextricably linked to the evolution of computers. To fully understand and appreciate the impact of computer technology in our lives and our future, we have to go back to the origins and find out how they evolved. The Abacus which appeared about 5000 years ago in Asia Minor, and is still in use in some parts of the world it may be considered as the world's first 'computer'. But as the use of paper and pencil spread, the abacus lost its importance. But it took nearly 12 centuries for the next significant advance in computing to take place. In 1692, Blaise Pascal (1623 - 1662), the 18 year old son of a French Tax Collector invented what he called a 'numerical wheel calculator' to help his father in his work. |
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The use of computers to process information and create applications that can be utilised for day-to-day work in offices, homes, businesses and industries is the basic feature of Information Technology.
Information Technology tools such as office automation, database management, web development and multimedia graphics have made life easier for working professionals as well as common people by enabling faster communication, improving efficiency of work and by providing access to a vast store house of information. This technology driven, globally shared information network has given rise to an explosive growth of knowledge based industry that has often been referred to as the 'Information Revolution'. Notwithstanding the economic slowdown of the last one-year and the gloomy predictions for industrial growth particularly the software exports market, Information Technology continues to be one of the fastest growing industries worldwide. In India, the growth of the Information Technology industry has coincided with economic liberalisation and globalisation. Computers have become productivity enhancement tools for enterprises while new telecommunication technologies have made networking and communications that much easier and faster.
Today, virtually the world's entire knowledge base is accessible through the Internet. India is well placed to take advantage of this phenomenal growth of IT as its capability in software development is now recognised worldwide. Moreover, India has emerged as a global centre for research, design and development of software with several IT giants setting up their R&D and training facilities in the country. All this translates into more and better jobs for trained computer professionals and the need for young people to get better acquainted with the various aspects of the IT industry. It is imperative too for would be software professionals to get specialised training in one or more IT tools, not only to ensure international standards but also to command the best jobs and salaries. QualificationIn view of the massive growth of the information Technology Industry in the last two decades, the number of students aspiring to take up IT as a career has increased phenomenally. The number of Engineering Colleges, Universities, ITIs (Industrial Training Institutes) and Polytechnics offering courses in IT has also burgeoned. The proliferation of computers in our lives and as educational tools (at least in urban areas) has meant that most students are already familiar with computer to some extent by the time they reach the +2 level.
Those who want to make IT, their career goal generally take up Computer Science as an additional subject in the +2 stage. But this is not a mandatory requirement.
After finishing the +2 course in Science, one can either : - Take up a four - year engineering course in Computer Science.
- Complete a 3 year undergraduate course in Computer Science and Applications or
- Undertake Diploma or Certificate courses at ITIs and Polytechnics that prepare students for low-end jobs like Data entry operations. An example of the variety of courses available.
- Certificate from ITIs
- Diploma from Polytechnics
- BCA (Bachelors in Computer Application)
- BSC (Electronics)
- BSC (Computers)
- BSC (Electronics / Instrumentation)
- MCA
- M.Sc (Electronic Science)
- M.E / M.Tech
- Ph.D
Only the best students can aspire to study in the premier engineering colleges and only those scoring highly in the entrance exams manage to get into the computer discipline. But, Computer Science can also be taken as an elective subject in an electrical and electronics course. Upon graduation students are generally trained to take up jobs in the areas of systems software, development tools and applications in engineering and scientific systems.
The master’s degree in Computer Engineering covers three aspects- Computer Applications (Software), Computer Technology (Architecture, Hardware etc) and Computer Science and Engineering. While the first course can be taken by a postgraduate in Science, the other two are open only to engineering graduates. In addition to the above, the DOECC (Department of Electronics Accredition of Computer Courses) scheme provides educational opportunities in Computer after 10+2, through private institutes in the non-formal sector. This scheme allows flexibility for individuals to qualify in steps to the equivalent of an M Tech degree without interfering with other studies or work. Job Opportunity
Job opportunities in the IT sector are as vast as they are varied. Earlier being an IT professional meant working for either in a hardware (Computer Manufacturer) or software (Systems Design and Applications) Company. But today, with computer having taken over virtually ever segment of activity from business and industry to education and governance, the opportunities for Computer Science graduates are virtually limitless. In fact, the vast majority of computer jobs are available in organisations that use computers and applications software, commonly are termed as end–user organisatons. Most large IT manufacturing companies are not merely manufacturers but also end-users of IT products. They use the products they manufacture to their advantage to derive the best productivity from each individual working in the company.
The types of job held by computer professionals fall into several general categories: Computer Design and manufacture; Computer sales and service; systems development and programming and computer operations. In addition, the phenomenal growth of multimedia and Web related activities have thrown up a huge area of opportunity, viz- as graphic designers and animators, web designers and developers, web content developers, E-commerce specialists, Technical writers (for Documentation, user manuals)etc. Computer professionals may also be employed as teachers in training institutes, as part of an R&D team for product software, as CAD / CAM designers (strong technical knowledge required) as systems administrators, in sales and marketing (specialised software and hardware products), as business analysts, data processors, network mangers and a host of other areas requiring computer skills. Monetary Benefits
IT Industry salaries are considered to be among the most competitive and attractive. This sector has witnessed an astonishing rise in salary levels and what is even more tantalising, the provision of incentives and stock options, that has drawn some of the best brains towards this sector. A liberal economic environment, the influx of MNCs and the resulting change in the benchmarks for monetary compensation have all contributed to creating a highly glamourised and rosy picture for IT professionals. What makes an IT job even more attractive is the prospect of overseas assignments and placements, which means earnings at par with international standards and that too in dollars. Until a couple of years ago, the demand for IT trained professionals was so high that companies found it hard to retain the best talents, and consequently used monetary incentives and highly attractive job perquisites to prevent employees from switching jobs. This is however, only one side of the picture. On the other side is the vast number of small entrepreneurial ventures, both hardware and software, which, though an integral part of the IT industry, are still entrepreneur driven rather than management driven. This means, that the owner may not be able to afford highly paid skilled professionals and would prefer to employ freshers, at comparatively low salaries.
The Indian IT Industry has traditionally been an entrepreneur’s happy hunting ground. Self-employment opportunities continue to arise in this industry because of the rapidly evolving technologies and the willingness of financiers to invest money into new high-tech business. In addition to making money, the entrepreneur has the freedom to run the company in his own way. Plus, the profile of IT business is such that only white collared, educated individuals make up the work force, eliminating the risks of organised unions and labour unrest. But while opportunities for start-ups in very high, a tremendous amount of hard work and business acumen are needed to sustain a venture in the face of stiff competition and rapidly changing technologies.
The qualities required of an entrepreneur are: risk taking ability, ability to innovate and sell a concept, hard work, awareness of rules and regulations, and picking the right team of workers. Good communication skills and leadership qualities are also helpful. Self-employment opportunities in the IT industry can also mean becoming a franchisee for an established brand or service, in which case the chances of success are higher, but lacks the freedom and innovative spirit of an entrepreneurship. Computer Consultants are also in demand and they may work independently as freelance specialists or with a small team for any organisation or industry. Positions
The job descriptions tend to differ within the IT industry and end-user organisations. In a IT company the head of the organisation is usually the Director or President, followed by Vice President, General Manager, Marketing Managers, R&D Manager, Sales & Support Managers and Departmental Heads. Then come the software Engineers, R&D / Mfg.-Engineers, Maintenance Engineers and Sales executive. In an end – user organisation, there is usually a separate IT department, which is headed by a Vice President (EDP / Systems / MIS), followed by a General Manager, EDP / Systems / MIS Manager, an Assistant EDP / Systems / MIS Manager, Systems Engineers, Systems Analyst, Maintenance Engineer, Programmer / Analyst and Programmers. Specialization
As with other professions, the IT Industry has several segments and one has to specialise in a specific segment according to personal skills, knowledge and interest. Some of the specialised areas are : - Data Entry and Word Processing.
- Spread sheet Applications
- Presentation Software.
- Data Base Management.
- Programming.
- Systems Design / Analysis.
- Networking.
- R&D
- Hardware Maintenance.
- Multimedia Graphics and Animation
- Internet Technologies.
- Web Page Designing
- Content Development.
- Sales & Marketing
- Customer support
- ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)
- G.I.S (Geographical Information Systems)
- E-Commerce
- Software Testing and Implementation
- Training
- Technical writing
- IT Enable Services (viz.-Medical Transcription, Call Centres) .
Terminologies : The information Technology industry in keeping with its status as the New Age “mantra” of civilisation, has also created a completely new set of vocabulary and acronyms, that will leave anyone unfamiliar with the industry, quite confounded. Some commonly used terms in the industry are as follow:
- Application: A programme that uses the operating system service and manipulates data files to perform specific user jobs.
- Bit – The smallest quantity of data processing information.
- Byte – Made up of 8 bits and has nothing to do with biting.
- Bus – Transmission media that normally inter links two components or devices together.
- FAT – File Allocation Table.
- FILE – Made up of Data and in normally placed in a DIRECTORY.
- KEYBOARD – Consists of switches that are used to display characters on the monitor screen.
- MONITOR – The video screen that displays characters and graphics.
- NETWORK – A group of computers that are connected together and can communicate with each to share resources and information.
- RAM – Random Access Memory.
- DRIVER – Device that can store all types of Data and retrieve them as and when required.
- HUB – A multi-port repeater. A REPEATER multiplies weak signals making them travel longer distances.
- COMMAND – A set of instructions that you give to a computer through the keyboard to perform specific duties.
- USERS – are persons allowed to use the computers.
- WORKSTATION – Is either a stand-alone Computer System or part of a Network.
- P C – The personal Computer.
- CONSOLE – A terminal Connected to a PC that is used for monitoring.
- BRIDGE – A device that connects two different computer networks together.
- ROUTER – A device that manages the Exchange of information between network cabling systems.
- WEB – The Worldwide network that connects all computer systems that are hooked up with Internet Service Provides (ISPs).
Career Advice
The advent of computers in the second half of the 20th century has completely changed the way we live and work. Computer technology has evolved so fast and in so many directions that it would not be an exaggeration to say that it has come to dominate our present civilisation. And at the forefront of this technological revolution have been young, brilliant and tech savvy men and women who have dared to dream big and make ideas happen. In the process, the IT industry and its related services, have become the hottest and fastest growing field the world over.
Job opportunities in the IT industry is growing at a phenomenal pace and at one point of time there were not enough trained personnel to fill the need. But with the mushrooming of specialised courses in engineering colleges and hundreds of technical institutions, the availability of trained manpower is improving. But experts predict that the need for knowledgeable and skilled computer specialists will continue to grow. So far, in India the success has come from lower and labour intensive jobs like coding, conversion, testing etc. In future the demand would be for a higher level of computer, software and communication expertise, systems managers and project leaders. Quality of manpower is going to be more important than quantity and costs. But there are pit falls too; A computer professional has to continually grow and re-invent himself if he is to survive in today’s rapidly evolving technology environment. This is a challenge that he must overcome. |
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