Introduction

 

 

Information Technologists plan, initiate, and manage information technology (IT) projects. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. Serve as liaison between business and technical aspects of projects. Plan project stages and assess business implications for each stage. Monitor progress to assure deadlines, standards, and cost targets are met.

 

Their ultimate role will depend upon their specilization

 

 

Job Description

 

 

Database Administrator ​

A database administrator (DBA) is responsible for the performance, integrity and security of a database. Additional role requirements are likely to include planning, development and troubleshooting.

 

The work of a DBA varies according to the nature of the employing organisation and the level of responsibility associated with the post. The work may be pure maintenance or it may also involve specialising in database development.Typical responsibilities include some or all of the following:

 

• establishing the needs of users and monitoring user access and security;

• monitoring performance and managing parameters to provide fast query responses to front-end users;

• mapping out the conceptual design for a planned database in outline;

• considering both back-end organisation of data and front-end accessibility for end-users;

• refining the logical design so that it can be translated into a specific data model;

• further refining the physical design to meet system storage requirements;

• installing and testing new versions of the DBMS;

• maintaining data standards, including adherence to the Data Protection Act;

• writing database documentation, including data standards, procedures and definitions for the data dictionary (metadata);

• controlling access permissions and privileges;

• developing, managing and testing back-up and recovery plans;

• ensuring that storage, archiving, back-up and recovery procedures are functioning correctly;

• capacity planning;

• working closely with IT project managers, database programmers and multimedia programmers;

• communicating regularly with technical, applications and operational staff to ensure database integrity and security;

• commissioning and installing new applications and customising existing applications in order to make them fit for purpose.

 

 

Information Systems Manager

An information systems manager is responsible for the computer systems within a company, overseeing installation, ensuring back up systems operate effectively, purchasing hardware and software, providing the ICT technology infrastructures for an organisation and contributing to organisational policy regarding quality standards and strategic planning.

 

Information systems managers work in every size of organisation in the industry and the service sector, usually with a staff of technicians, programmers and database administrators reporting to them.

 

Although the title of information systems manager is becoming more common in the ICT sector, job titles may vary. For example, you might be a service delivery manager, a functional manager, or simply a systems manager.

 

Information systems managers are responsible for the implementation of technology within an organisation and direct the work of systems and business analysts, computer programmers, support specialists and other computer-related workers. The post holder will usually be an experienced worker with technical expertise coupled with an understanding of business and management principles. Duties within the role are ultimately dependent on the employing organisation and the complexity of its information systems.

 

Standard activities are likely to include:

 

• evaluating user needs and system functionality and ensuring that ICT facilities meet these needs;

• planning, developing and implementing the ICT budget, obtaining competitive prices from suppliers, to ensure cost effectiveness;

• scheduling upgrades and security backups of hardware and software systems;

• researching and installing new systems;

• ensuring the smooth running of all ICT systems, including anti-virus software, print services and email provision;

• ensuring that software licensing laws are adhered to;

• providing secure access to the network for remote users;

• ensuring the security of data from internal and external attack;

• providing users with appropriate support and advice;

• managing crisis situations, which may involve complex technical hardware or software problems;

• mentoring and training new ICT support staff;

• keeping up to date with the latest technologies.

 

 

IT consultant

An IT consultant works in partnership with clients, advising them how to use information technology in order to meet their business objectives or overcome problems. Consultants work to improve the structure and efficiency of an organisation's IT systems.

 

Hiring in consultants to perform specific functions over an agreed period of time is often referred to as ‘outsourcing’.

 

IT consultants may be used to provide strategic guidance to organisations with regard to technology, IT infrastructures and the enablement of major business processes through enhancements to IT. They can also be used to provide guidance during selection and procurement as well as providing highly expert technical assistance, and may be responsible for user training and feedback.

 

IT consultants may be involved in sales and business development, as well as technical duties.

 

Tasks typically involve:

 

• meeting with clients to determine requirements;working with clients to define the scope of a project;

• planning timescales and the resources needed;

• clarifying a client's system specifications, understanding their work practices and the nature of their business;

• travelling to customer sites;liaising with staff at all levels of a client organisation;

• defining software, hardware and network requirements;

• analysing IT requirements within companies and giving independent and objective advice on the use of IT;

• developing agreed solutions and implementing new systems;

• presenting solutions in written or oral reports;helping clients with change-management activities;

• purchasing systems where appropriate;designing, testing, installing and monitoring new systems;

• preparing documentation and presenting progress reports to customers;organising training for users and other consultants;

• being involved in sales and support, and where appropriate, maintaining contact with client organisations;

• identifying potential clients and building and maintaining contacts.

 

 

IT technical support officers 

IT technical support officers monitor and maintain the computer systems and networks of an organisation. They may install and configure computer systems, diagnose hardware and software faults and solve technical and applications problems, either over the phone or in person. Depending on the size of the organisation, a technical support officer's role may span one or more areas of expertise.

 

Organisations increasingly rely on computer systems in all areas of their operations and decision-making processes. It is therefore usually crucial to ensure the correct running and maintenance of the IT systems.

 

IT technical support officers may be known by other job titles including help desk operators, technicians, maintenance engineers or applications support specialists. The work is as much about understanding how information systems are used as applying technical knowledge related to computer hardware or software.

 

IT technical support officers are mainly responsible for the smooth running of computer systems and ensuring users get maximum benefits from them. Individual tasks vary depending on the size and structure of the organisation, but may include:

 

• installing and configuring computer hardware operating systems and applications;

• monitoring and maintaining computer systems and networks;

• talking staff or clients through a series of actions, either face to face or over the telephone to help set up systems or resolve issues;

• troubleshooting system and network problems and diagnosing and solving hardware or software faults;

• replacing parts as required;providing support, including procedural documentation and relevant reports;

• following diagrams and written instructions to repair a fault or set up a system;

• supporting the roll-out of new applications;setting up new users' accounts and profiles and dealing with password issues;

• responding within agreed time limits to call-outs;working continuously on a task until completion (or referral to third parties, if appropriate);

• prioritising and managing many open cases at one time;rapidly establishing a good working relationship with customers and other professionals, e.g., software developers;

• testing and evaluating new technology;

• conducting electrical safety checks on computer equipment.

 

 

Multimedia Programmer 

A multimedia programmer gives a multimedia product its functionality by writing computer programs or creating websites that draw together multimedia features such as text, sound, graphics, digital photography, 2D/3D modelling, animation and video, according to a designer's specification.

 

Multimedia products work on particular 'platforms', predominantly the internet, as well as interactive television, information kiosks, DVDs, CD-ROMs, computer games consoles and mobile phones.

 

Programmers may come from a design or computing background, but the role demands a combination of both creative and technical skills.

 

The term multimedia is used interchangeably with other terms such as new media, interactive media, digital media and online/internet services. Similarly, as IT job titles and descriptions aren’t standardised, the work of a multimedia programmer may overlap with the role of a web developer or games developer, systems developer or software engineer.

 

The programmer works in a team with the designer and other specialists, such as animators, video producers and 3D modellers, who create the multimedia features. Because of the size and complexity of some applications, there may be several programmers working on one or more aspects of the application. In smaller projects, programmers may take on other roles, such as design and animation, depending on their expertise.

 

Programmers are involved at various stages of the system life cycle - initial analysis, implementation, integration, testing, debugging and support.A programmer's role includes the following:

 

• working with the designer and other creative specialists to understand the design concept, and advising on how it can be implemented technically within constraints;

• sorting out operational logic and business rules necessary for the feature to be reproduced correctly according to the designer’s specification;

• writing efficient computer code or script to make the various features work, ensuring that sound, graphics, animations and timings function as intended and make good use of processing and data storage capacity;

• creating and linking databases to the user interface so that information can be retrieved, stored and processed interactively via the application;

• writing HTML or similar input and using authoring packages where appropriate to create content and effects;

• running tests of the application to identify bugs that need to be dealt with;

• solving problems by re-writing the code or adding new code that works around the problem;

• providing technical support to an application once it is running and making further adaptations, patches or rewrites to the code;

• researching and keeping abreast of emerging technologies in order to be able to deliver the most up-to-date solutions, including learning new programming languages or technologies.

 

 

Network Engineers 

Network engineers are responsible for installing, maintaining and supporting computer communication networks within an organisation or between organisations. Their goal is to ensure the smooth operation of communication networks in order to provide maximum performance and availability for their users, such as staff, clients, customers and suppliers.

 

Network engineers may work internally as part of an organisation’s IT support team or externally as part of an IT networking consultancy firm working with a number of clients.

 

Other job titles used to refer to this kind of work include network support, support engineer, IT support engineer, helpdesk support, network administrator, first-line support, second-line support, security engineer and network architect.

 

The work is influenced by the size and type of the employing organisation. In a large investment bank for example, a network engineer may have specific responsibility for one area of the system. In a small company, the engineer may be troubleshooter for almost any IT-related problem that arises.

 

There are different types of network, such as:

1. LANs - local area networks, linking a limited area such as a home, office or small group of buildings;

2. MANs - metropolitan area networks, linking a large area such as a campus or city;

3. WANs - wide area networks, which link nationally or internationally;

4. GANs - global area networks, combining all of the above with satellite mobile-communication technologies.

 

The type of network will affect the engineer's responsibilities.Typical tasks usually include:

 

• installing, supporting and maintaining new server hardware and software infrastructure;managing email, anti-spam and virus protection;

• setting up user accounts, permissions and passwords;

• monitoring network usage;

• ensuring the most cost-effective and efficient use of servers;

• suggesting and providing IT solutions to business and management problems;

• ensuring that all IT equipment complies with industry standards;

• analysing and resolving faults, ranging from a major system crash to a forgotten password;

• undertaking routine preventative measures and implementing, maintaining and monitoring network security, particularly if the network connects to the internet;

• providing training and technical support for users with varying levels of IT knowledge and competence;

• supervising other staff, such as help-desk technicians;

• working closely with other departments/organisations and collaborating with other IT staff;

• planning and implementing future IT developments and undertaking project work;

• managing the website and keeping internal networks running;monitoring the use of the web by employees.

 

 

Systems Analyst 

A systems analyst designs new IT solutions to improve business efficiency and productivity. The work might be for an external client or an internal client (such as a department within the same organisation).

 

Working closely with the client, analysts examine existing business models and flows of data, discuss their findings with the client, and design an appropriate improved IT solution. They act as the liaison between the client and the developers.

 

They produce outline designs and costings of new systems, specifying the operations the system will perform, and the way data will be viewed by the end-user, present their design to the client and, once it is approved, work closely with the client team to implement the solution.

 

Most systems analysts work with a specific type of IT system, which varies with the type of organisation. Work activities also depend on the size and nature of the organisation, but typically involve:

 

• liaising extensively with external or internal clients;

• analysing clients' existing systems;

• translating client requirements into highly specified project briefs;

• identifying options for potential solutions and assessing them for both technical and business suitability;

• drawing up specific proposals for modified or replacement systems;producing project feasibility reports;

• presenting proposals to clients;working closely with developers and a variety of end users to ensure technical compatibility and user satisfaction;

• ensuring that budgets are adhered to and deadlines met;drawing up a testing schedule for the complete system;

• overseeing the implementation of a new system;planning and working flexibly to a deadline;writing user manuals;

• providing training to users of a new system;

• keeping up to date with technical and industry developments.

 

 

Systems developers 

Systems developers maintain, audit and improve organisational support systems by working on the internal operations of computers, using existing systems or incorporating new technologies to meet particular needs, often as advised by a systems analyst or architect. They test both hard and software systems, and diagnose and resolve system faults.

 

The role also covers writing diagnostic programs and designing and writing code for operating systems and software to ensure efficiency. When required, they make recommendations for future developments. Depending on the type of organisation, developers can become either systems or applications specialists.

 

The work undertaken by systems developers is generally of a highly complex and technical nature, and involves the application of computer science and mathematics in an environment which is constantly evolving due to technological advances and the strategic direction of their organisation.

 

Tasks vary according to the type of organisation and size of employer but may typically involve:

 

• analysing user requirements;researching, designing and writing new software programs;testing new programs and fault finding;

• evaluating the software and systems that make computers and hardware work;

• developing existing programs by analysing and identifying areas for modification;

• integrating existing software products and getting incompatible platforms to work together;

• creating technical specifications and test plans;

• writing and testing code and then refining and rewriting as necessary;

• writing systems to control the scheduling of jobs on a mainframe computer or to control the access allowed to users or remote systems;

• writing operational documentation with technical authors;maintaining systems by monitoring and correcting software defects;

• working closely with other staff, such as project managers, graphic artists, designers, developers, systems analysts, and sales and marketing professionals;

• consulting clients and colleagues concerning the maintenance and performance of software systems and with a view to writing or modifying current operating systems;

• investigating new technologies;

• continually updating technical knowledge and skills by attending in-house and/or external courses, reading manuals and accessing new applications.