Running head: Trends and careers in Computer Technology 1

Trends and careers in Computer Technology

Emmanuel Forbes

CIS 2110

Turks and Caicos Community College (Provo Campus)

Trends and careers in Computer Technology 2

Table of contents

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Trends……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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Abstract

Many are gravitating towards all the new and/or improved trends in computing Technology because of all the advanced and attractive features they carry. These technologies drastically change the way society traditionally viewed computing due to all the ‘jaw dropping ‘advancements to technology. The technologies are improved and are constantly improving thus the demand for specialised IT professions. The Technological advancements in hardware and software provide many opportunities for IT careers, proven to be satisfying and financially rewarding due to its demand and importance in the technological fields. This project will discuss the growing trends in Computing technology and the rewarding careers in computing technology.

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PART A(Trends)

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Trends in Computing Technology

Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing is the internet-based storage for files, applications, and infrastructure,

achieving a lot of popularity, with companies of all shapes and sizes adapting to this new

technology. Some hardware that can engage in cloud computing are: Computers, Smartphone,

tablets, and PDA.

Advantages of Cloud Computing

Cost Efficient - available at cheap rates and hence, can significantly lower data savin cost. .

There are many one-time-payment, pay-as-you-go and other scalable options available, which

makes it very reasonable for everyone.

Almost Unlimited Storage - Storing information in the cloud gives you almost unlimited

storage capacity. Hence, you no more need to worry about running out of storage space or

increasing your current storage space availability.

Backup and Recovery Since all your data is stored in the cloud, backing it up and restoring is

relatively much easier than storing the same on a physical device.

Automatic Software Integration - you do not need to take additional efforts to customize and

integrate your applications as per your preferences. This aspect usually takes care of itself. Not

only that but cloud computing allows you to customize your options with great ease. Hence,

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you can handpick just those services and software applications that you think will best suit your

particular needs.

Easy Access to Information - Once you register yourself in the cloud, you can access the

information from anywhere, where there is an Internet connection.

Disadvantages of Cloud Computing

Technical Issues - information and data on the cloud can be accessed anytime and from

anywhere at all, there are times when this system can have some serious dysfunction, this

technology is always prone to outages and other technical issues. You will need a very good

Internet connection to be logged onto the server at all times. You will invariably be stuck in case

of network and connectivity problems.

Security in the Cloud – adapting to this technology, means surrendering all your personal or

company’s sensitive information to a third-party cloud service provider. This could potentially

put your data to great risk. You are vulnerable to hack attacks and threats. Nothing on the

Internet is completely secure.

Laser technology (Dermatology)

Laser technology (Dermatology) is a relatively new technique that has taken the dermatological

world by storm. Used for treating many skin conditions like acne, scars, fine lines and wrinkles,

the laser has also started to be considered a great remedy for brown spots and dark skin areas.

Hardware used is a laser, a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification.

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Advantages of Laser technology (Dermatology)

• Faster action - unlike many other types of treatment which can take months to see some

effects, the laser treatment has fast actions and in a couple of weeks improvements are visible .

• Good results - the beauty industry cashes each year billions of dollars from selling skin

whitening products which are not effective. Laser technology is one of the few skin whitening

treatments which really work, so that you will not have the surprise of spending money for

nothing.

• Professional surveillance - the patient is under professional surveillance from the beginning

until the end of the treatment, thus if any complications appear, the doctors will be able to spot

it and neutralize it in due time.

Disadvantages of Laser technology (Dermatology)

• High price – the price of laser treatment is far beyond the possibilities of normal people, this

is why it is not always on the list of people’s favorite treatments. Because it is done only in

cosmetic or dermatological clinics and they also require pre and post-treatment supervision,

this type of treatment costs quite a lot for a normal person with medium income.

• Side effects - even though this treatment is a very modern one, there are still side effects

which have not yet counterbalanced. Thus, there have been people who suffered by swelling,

inflammations and sometimes even further darkening of the treated area.

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Ecommerce

Ecommerce is the buying and selling of goods and services over an electronic channel.

Hardware used can be computers, smartphones, and many other internet surfing capable

devices.

Advantages of Ecommerce

Faster buying/selling procedure, as well as easy to find products.

Buying/selling 24/7.

More reach to customers, there is no theoretical geographic limitations.

Low operational costs and better quality of services.

No need of physical company set-ups.

Easy to start and manage a business.

Customers can easily select products from different providers without moving around

physically.

Disadvantages of Ecommerce

There is no guarantee of product quality.

Mechanical failures can cause unpredictable effects on the total processes.

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As there is minimum chance of direct customer to company interactions, customer

loyalty is always on a check.

There are many hackers who look for opportunities, and thus an ecommerce site,

service, payment gateways; all are always prone to attack.

Cyber security

Cyber security is the body of technologies, processes and practices designed to protect

networks, computers, programs and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access. Cyber

security is a growth industry, with rapid increase in cyber crimes , cyber security is now in

demand for many , especially frequent online customers, Businesses, the government and a

growing number of schools offering courses and degrees. Hardware needed is a firewall(in

hardware form) , it filters the information coming from the Internet connection into your

network or computer system, to block any threats.

Advantages:

Improved security of cyberspace.

Increase in cyberdefence.

Increase in cyber speed.

Allows more options to save data. Better response time to national crisis.

Disadvantages:

Improved hacker speed and ability.

Interconnected computers.

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Improved viruses, malware and worms.

More anonymity between hackers.

Telephone banking

Telephone banking is a facility enabling customers to make use of banking services, such as oral

payment instructions, account movements, raising loans, etc., over the telephone rather than

going there personally to pay a visit. Hardware needed is a telephone.

Advantages of Telephone Banking:

Check a bank account’s balance.

Transfer money.

Request for a bank statement.

Order a new checkbook.

Make loan payments.

Make credit card payments

Disadvantages of Telephone Banking:

First time users may find the system slightly difficult to use.

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Instead of a receipt you will receive a transaction reference number as proof that the

payment was made.

PART B(Careers)

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Careers in Computing Technology

Network Administrator

A Network Administrator is an individual that is responsible for the maintenance of computer

hardware and software systems that make up a computer network and to maintain and monitor

active data networks. Salary around $70,000. Some necessary tools for job is Network Scanning

Tools, Network Protocol Analyzers/network sniffers, process Enumeration Tools and

Wireless Tools. Likely Qualifications required are: Microsoft certified system engineer (MCSE)

status or Cisco certified internetwork expert (CCIE) and experience of networks running on

specific network operating systems like Microsoft NT or 2000, or UNIX

Salary: $70,000

Computer engineers

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Computer engineers work to design, build, test, and implement hardware and software

applications for computer networks in a variety of settings, from home office to big business.

Some tools used are Electrical Testing Tools, multimeters and tester screwdrivers to help them

inspect and diagnose delicate computer circuits and Electrical Repair Tools, wire cutters and

strippers, which help them prepare the data cables and buses necessary for data transfer. Likely

Qualifications required is: a bachelor’s degree and up in electrical engineering, computer

engineering, computer science or a combined discipline.

Salary: $87,000.

Systems Engineer

A systems engineer that focuses on local-area and wide-area networks (LAN/WAN), for

example, may be expected to:

manage and monitor LAN/WAN network services;

recommend and acquire equipment replacements and upgrades;

maintain an inventory of all network devices;

draft and maintain LAN/WAN documentation and processes;

perform routine audits of systems and software; and

Troubleshoot any reported problems.

Qualifications include: a university degree or diploma in a computer-related discipline and

engineering. Certification such as MCSE, as well as extensive knowledge of and experience with

the field.

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Salary: $89,000

Chief Information Officer

The Chief Information in a large enterprise delegates technical decisions to employees more

familiar with details. Usually, a CIO proposes the information technology an enterprise will need

to achieve its goals and then works within a budget to implement the plan. Typically, a CIO is

involved with analyzing and reworking existing business processes, with identifying and

developing the capability to use new tools, with reshaping the enterprise's physical infrastructure

and network access, and with identifying and exploiting the enterprise's knowledge resources.

Many CIOs head the enterprise's efforts to integrate the Internet and the World Wide Web into

both its long-term strategy and its immediate business plans. Tool used is a computer system,

used to identify and exploit the enterprise's knowledge resources.

CIO Qualifications– Skills and Training

A CIO needs a solid foundation in information technology, project management, and business

management. As such, some of the common components of a successful CIO might include the

following:

Project Management

PMP Certification

MBA Programs

MIS Degrees

CIS Degrees

Information Technology Certifications

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Salary: $82,000

Software Engineer:

A software engineer is a skilled professional focused on the design and creation of software.

They may or may not actually code. Because they are interacting with both business functions

and programmers, Software Engineers should have excellent communication skills and should

enjoy working as part of a team. They will often have to explain business functions to

programmers and technology restraints to non-technical business managers. Some tools used are

Source Code Testing Tools; CppUnit, DrJava, HTML, JUnit, NUnit etc.

Qualification: Usually requires at least a BS in Computer Science. Should be very familiar with

specialized languages relevant to the technologies employed (Java, C++, C#.NET as examples)

Salary: $90,000

Database Administrators

Database Administrators use database software to store and manage information. They will often

set up database systems and are responsible for making sure those systems operate efficiently

(usually referred to as database performance tuning). They also make sure that the data they store

is backed up regularly, stored effectively, and that the data is secure from unauthorized access.

Ensuring the data is available, by maximizing database uptime, is also an important function of

the database administrator. Tools used are called native tools. For example, Microsoft SQL

Server comes with SQL Server Enterprise Manager and Oracle has tools such as SQL*Plus and

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Oracle Enterprise Manager/Grid Control offer GUI tools to monitor the DBMS and help DBAs

carry out certain functions inside the database more easily.

Qualifications: Database Administrators often have a 4 year degree in Computer Science or

Management Information Systems (MIS) and Knowledge of business functions to communicate

with other employees in the company in both technical and non-technical roles. Certification for

the Microsoft Certified Database Administrator or MCDBA. The MCDBA is also one of the

highest paying technical certifications. Salary: $74,000

Reference

High, P. (2010). Top 10 strategic Trends in computing technology.

Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterhigh/2013/10/14/gartner-top-10-

Strategic- Technology-trends-for-2014/

McKay, D. (2009). Computer Engineers – Career Profile.

Retrieved from http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/a/computercareers.htm

Pickett, P. (2009). Computer Engineers – Career Profile.

Retrieved from http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/careertypes/a/Computer_Engineer.htm

Viswanathan, P. (2012). Benefits of Cloud Computing.

Retrieved http://mobiledevices.about.com/od/additionalresources/a/Cloud-Computing-Is-

It-Really-All-That-Beneficial.htm

Weedmark, D. (2010). Database Administrator Salary.

Retrieved from http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/a/computercareers.htm

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