....Well we did green a few weeks back and with the Olympics just around the corner I thought it was worth a little dig around to see what people think the impact will be in the IT industry.
According to Paul Winchester, managing director of Greythorn "The IT and telecoms infrastructure required to host the Olympics will leave a significant high-tech footprint on the UK labour market."
"Before the Olympics begin, emergency service lines need to be secured and WiFi coverage needs to be expanded, including an attempt to get Internet access across the tube network in time for the games - measures must also be taken to prevent cyber attacks."
While the IT infrastructure being developed for the Games may not be as well publicised as the stadiums being built and transport links being developed, it is definitely equally as impressive.
It is reported that Acer, the official sponsor for computing equipment for the London Games, is providing 9,000 desktop PCs 2,000 laptops 900 servers for use at the various Olympic venues, which gives an insight into just how big a role IT will play in the event.
At such a high profile event it is also imperative that every piece of equipment is well maintained and that any problems are dealt with immediately, which is why between 300 and 400 server specialists and desktop technicians will be on hand throughout the event.
Thursday 24 November 2011
Wednesday 23 November 2011
Friday 18 November 2011
Monday 14 November 2011
IT industry goes green
Talking to our Careers department here at Computeach they were keen to point out the importance of our students being able to demonstrate awareness of the industry and how it will develop in the future - after all, a new recruit you may be now, but your are also the future of the company.
If you are in the dark about how the future of IT looks, let me shed some light - it looks green.
By this, I mean data centre virtualisation, data centre power and cooling technologies, desktop virtualisation, printing and paper usage management and power management tools for PCs and monitors.
According to another study from Ovum, these areas will experience "significant growth" over the next few years, growing by 65%.
Almost three-quarters of chief information officers are already using green IT in their organisation, while a further 8% plan to do so before the end of next year, the research said.
Rhonda Ascierto, Ovum analyst and author of the research, explained: "This growth in green IT penetration reflects a change of attitude by CIO's and other IT decision-makers.
Previously, they considered green IT optional because they defined its value primarily in terms of corporate image, rather than the bottom line.
It is now viewed as core technology that delivers business value by cutting costs and increasing efficiency."
Ms Ascierto added that in the wake of the recession, many companies are looking for a financial return in an investment into green IT.
If you are in the dark about how the future of IT looks, let me shed some light - it looks green.
By this, I mean data centre virtualisation, data centre power and cooling technologies, desktop virtualisation, printing and paper usage management and power management tools for PCs and monitors.
According to another study from Ovum, these areas will experience "significant growth" over the next few years, growing by 65%.
Almost three-quarters of chief information officers are already using green IT in their organisation, while a further 8% plan to do so before the end of next year, the research said.
Rhonda Ascierto, Ovum analyst and author of the research, explained: "This growth in green IT penetration reflects a change of attitude by CIO's and other IT decision-makers.
Previously, they considered green IT optional because they defined its value primarily in terms of corporate image, rather than the bottom line.
It is now viewed as core technology that delivers business value by cutting costs and increasing efficiency."
Ms Ascierto added that in the wake of the recession, many companies are looking for a financial return in an investment into green IT.
Friday 11 November 2011
Is there a change in the way HR departments view temporary workers?
According to Gerry McLaughlin, from IT Contractor.com there has.
"Whereas previously IT contracting was highly cyclical and many contractors spent what they had built up in the good times during long spells out of work, it looks as if IT contracting has become a much safer profession," Mr McLaughlin said.
"Companies now see them as the enablers of cost cutting during a downturn as well as being core to the business during an upturn - so contractors now have an each way bet."
And let's not forget that obtaining temporary work with a company is a good way to show off your knowledge and skills, which could lead to a more permanent position.
Would you agree? I would really like your thoughts on this so, add your comments.
"Whereas previously IT contracting was highly cyclical and many contractors spent what they had built up in the good times during long spells out of work, it looks as if IT contracting has become a much safer profession," Mr McLaughlin said.
"Companies now see them as the enablers of cost cutting during a downturn as well as being core to the business during an upturn - so contractors now have an each way bet."
And let's not forget that obtaining temporary work with a company is a good way to show off your knowledge and skills, which could lead to a more permanent position.
Would you agree? I would really like your thoughts on this so, add your comments.
Tuesday 8 November 2011
Diversity in the IT Industry
Just reading a report on diversity in the IT industry and thought you might find it interesting.
Maggie Berry, from Women in Technology, said that more businesses need to be aware of the benefits of a diverse workforce, to make more opportunities for women.
"The majority of the women that we talk to do not want to see the introduction of quotas - they want to get the top jobs on their own merit and ability, not to make up numbers," Ms Berry said.
But she added that introducing targets would be a "positive move" to put pressure on business to change.
Ms Berry's comments followed research from InterExec which revealed that 65% of senior executive head hunters do not agree that firms should more than double the number of women on their executive boards by 2015, despite a recent Davies report recommending this move.
"Progress is a slow process, but we are moving forward. With more awareness about the benefits of diverse teams, changes to legislation and more flexible working, hopefully we will continue to see improvements when it come to women in IT, " Ms Berry concluded.
Another group which are sometimes overlooked are older workers, but according to Rachel Krys, director of Inclusive Employers, the best workforces are made up of both fresh-faced young employees and experienced old-hands.
"Older workers can have a real settling, calming effect on the whole workforce, but you also need the people with the fresh ideas - and that might be younger people, that might be older people, " she said.
"You need people with new thoughts. People who have not done it before are not restricted by past failures; people who have not failed before are much more willing to take a risk. You need that mix."
The eSkills report also points out that despite there being a shortfall in candidates, obtaining a job in the IT sector still requires skills to be refreshed on a regular basis, to keep up with developments in the industry.
Maggie Berry, from Women in Technology, said that more businesses need to be aware of the benefits of a diverse workforce, to make more opportunities for women.
"The majority of the women that we talk to do not want to see the introduction of quotas - they want to get the top jobs on their own merit and ability, not to make up numbers," Ms Berry said.
But she added that introducing targets would be a "positive move" to put pressure on business to change.
Ms Berry's comments followed research from InterExec which revealed that 65% of senior executive head hunters do not agree that firms should more than double the number of women on their executive boards by 2015, despite a recent Davies report recommending this move.
"Progress is a slow process, but we are moving forward. With more awareness about the benefits of diverse teams, changes to legislation and more flexible working, hopefully we will continue to see improvements when it come to women in IT, " Ms Berry concluded.
Another group which are sometimes overlooked are older workers, but according to Rachel Krys, director of Inclusive Employers, the best workforces are made up of both fresh-faced young employees and experienced old-hands.
"Older workers can have a real settling, calming effect on the whole workforce, but you also need the people with the fresh ideas - and that might be younger people, that might be older people, " she said.
"You need people with new thoughts. People who have not done it before are not restricted by past failures; people who have not failed before are much more willing to take a risk. You need that mix."
The eSkills report also points out that despite there being a shortfall in candidates, obtaining a job in the IT sector still requires skills to be refreshed on a regular basis, to keep up with developments in the industry.
Friday 4 November 2011
Could the IT Industry be right for you?
Well the view from my desk is a little gloomy now that the pumpkins have been removed but the outlook for our industry is certainly better.
Already 1.5 million people are employed in the IT industry, a figure which translates as every one in 20 people employed in the UK.
But while the sector may be expanding, IT employers are not hiring just anyone - they are looking for a high standards in employees.
A recent report by e-skills UK, Technology Insights 2011, predicted that the IT & Telecoms industry will grow by £50 billion over the next five to seven years. This is a growth of over two per cent per year, which is nearly five times faster than the UK average.
Mr Nott said that the UK is an important part of the IT industry, a point the e-skills report emphases, revealing that £81 billion of the UK's annual economy comes from the IT and Telecoms industry.
He also pointed out that last year saw an increase in demand for professionals.
And he added this demand will continue to rise.
So what can be done about this shortage? Langley James, and IT recruitment agency, believes that the answer lies with taking on more trainees in the sector.
"I would say companies need to look at bringing trainees in rather than expecting everybody to hit the ground running, " James Toovey, founder and director of Langley James, said. "That is one of the biggest problems with this industry and that is why there is continually a skills shortage - everybody wants somebody that has a couple of years experience using the latest technology."
He added that "new blood" - people coming into the industry with knowledge of social networking like Twitter and Facebook - would stand in good stead as they can display a knowledge of up-to-date technology.
Already 1.5 million people are employed in the IT industry, a figure which translates as every one in 20 people employed in the UK.
But while the sector may be expanding, IT employers are not hiring just anyone - they are looking for a high standards in employees.
A recent report by e-skills UK, Technology Insights 2011, predicted that the IT & Telecoms industry will grow by £50 billion over the next five to seven years. This is a growth of over two per cent per year, which is nearly five times faster than the UK average.
Mr Nott said that the UK is an important part of the IT industry, a point the e-skills report emphases, revealing that £81 billion of the UK's annual economy comes from the IT and Telecoms industry.
He also pointed out that last year saw an increase in demand for professionals.
And he added this demand will continue to rise.
So what can be done about this shortage? Langley James, and IT recruitment agency, believes that the answer lies with taking on more trainees in the sector.
"I would say companies need to look at bringing trainees in rather than expecting everybody to hit the ground running, " James Toovey, founder and director of Langley James, said. "That is one of the biggest problems with this industry and that is why there is continually a skills shortage - everybody wants somebody that has a couple of years experience using the latest technology."
He added that "new blood" - people coming into the industry with knowledge of social networking like Twitter and Facebook - would stand in good stead as they can display a knowledge of up-to-date technology.
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