Staffoffshore Information Blog

Major companies, after a very hesitant start, are now installing Intranets and Internets as fast as they can. Intranets are short for exclusive internet connections between businesses, or what they call business to business (B-B connection) or business to client connections (B-C) they are often called FTTP/FTP (Fiber To The Premises/File Transfer Protocol). If you are a small or medium sized company and you want to keep in step with what’s happening in your industry be it local or international (inside or outside of your field) it is a must that you have at least one or two connection in the WEB or a Website to advertise your products and services. Be it an initial dial-up, DSL or your ordinary local ISP provider, it is important to keep abreast with what is happening in this information age. So, if you’re interested to know the latest development within big industries, here’s a summary of what experts are calling the New Millennium Model:

*Business weeks’ New Model Company Imperatives derived from CISCO:

1. Network, network, network

2. Focus on the customer

3. Buy smart (make clever acquisitions)

4. Team up for success

5. Share the wealth

6. Apply the personal touch

*Answer to the Question “What do I do?”

1. Accept that you won't manage the organization as in the past.

2. Must move towards the future, new model company.

3. Act accordingly - talk achieves nothing.

4. Become absolutely sure about your strategic and tactical objectives, and manage the transition yourself to achieve precisely what the users in the company (all of them) want

5. Finally, accept that the revolution will neither stop nor slow down.

Although small and medium sized companies do not have the resources multinational businesses can harness, there is always a market for everybody who is willing to take the BIG step to IMPROVE and accept PROGRESS. Those who still refuse to face the facts that enterprises, industries, and commerce need virtual extensions in the WEB (much like how a company opens a new branch in a different place) are bound to stay where they are or even worse, be swept away by the same progress they ignored in the first place.

Source: www.thinkingmanagers.com, www.cisco.com

Who are these so-called webmasters? What exactly do they do? How do they contribute to the overall effectiveness and performance of a company website?

Who are they?

Web Masters generally speaking, is a term devoted to a person or persons responsible for development and optimum maintenance of a website/s. The word itself usually gives a false impression of the mastery of only one skill [web maintenance]; but it’s actually a collaboration of several skills rolled into one. One can say that in the strictest sense of the word, a Web Master handles all technical aspects of a Web site.

Web Masters must posses several skills and important abilities to properly develop and manage corporate websites.

What exactly do they do?

Since Web Masters deal with technicalities of Web Sites, it is but natural that a person who considers himself a Web Master must have certain qualities in order to effectively and efficiently perform his duties in delivering high-quality/high performing sites.

Just like any profession, there are specializations and areas of expertise in this job. Even among their own circle, Web Masters generally have different job definition and job description for their own work. Functions also differ when it comes to scale of work done for the business:

A. Large scale website operation

Usually done by a “Webmaster team” – tasked to provide overall site policies and implement:
• Organization of essential technical resources
• Running new Programs and Web content
• Brainstorm on Web design improvements

B. Small/ Medium scale website operation

Done by one or two Webmaster/s -tasked to:
• Create the Website
• Upload and run it
• Regularly update it according to needs, preferences or applicability in situation for whatever product/service the business is offering.

Any of the following jobs may also be considered performing the functions of a Web Master: Technical Communicator, Systems Administrator, Graphic & Media Design Specialist or an Application Programmer. All of which handles a variety of details pertaining to the development and maintenance of company Sites including: security, database integration and programming, design modifications, network and systems administration, maintenance of site maps, site promotion assistance, monitor error logs, report potential problems, check presentation and readability in various browsers on various platforms, verification of live links, provide first-level user support and even a certain degree of business management and customer feedback/assistance.

How to Spot a Good Web Master?

Certain qualities need to stand out if you want to find the right Web Master. Competent Webmaster/s must have: [1] skills in HTML, CGI, JavaScript, Perl, and UNIX [2] savvy understanding of web technology [3] keen eye for detail [4] at least a year of full-time web development experience [5] impeccable communications skills [6] thoroughness [7] acquainted with W3C guidelines [8] exceptional intelligence and professionalism

Where to Find Professional Web Masters?

It is essential for you to have the right person/people for the most important website in the NET – your corporate website. Don’t settle for someone who has doubtful credentials. Web Masters need to be reliable, smart, and easily able to trouble shoot any problems encountered by your site.

Screening is an essential process when entertaining thoughts of hiring a Web Master or a Web Master Team. That is why majority of the currently progressive enterprise in diverse industries rely heavily in outsourcing firms Offshore consulting firms will readily and easily screen and provide you with a short list of highly qualified professionals able to meet the usual rigors of maintaining, developing and even outperforming other competitors in internet presence. Not to mention obtaining such quality service within your company budget.

In this information age, Web Masters are principal factors in the success of your corporate site. So take note of what’s above and hire only the best and the brightest in this business.

For those who are considering hiring an IT outsourcing company to do IT related tasks for your business, here are the benefits/advantages you will get from it:

Reduced cost
-You can reduce your cost up to an estimate of 50% by turning to outsourcing. This is due to the fact that you can get IT staffs from countries with lower economies.

Someone handle wide range of IT tasks
-Most outsourcing companies have a wide range of IT staff resources from software developing and testing, help desk support and data entry and processing. You can even request for custom staff specified according to your needs.

Excellent work quality
-You can easily get high quality services through because of the fact that most outsourced staff come from specifically developed countries.

More focus on core business objectives
-Since your hired outsourcing company assumes the responsibility for other secondary corporate functions you can fully concentrate on your primary business functions.

With the benefits/advantages stated above, you can also get additional advantages depending on the offer of your chosen IT outsourcing company

source/reference: wickedinnovations.com

Information is Gold. In a high-tech and fast paced global economy, it is but natural for businesses to find ways to make their computer networks, software, and hardware more effective and efficient.

In line with this, there is an upsurge in the need for competent programmers. Now the big question is: Where do we find a professional programmer that’s at par with modern day standards? Answer lies in how business owners and peers define a good programmer.

Proficient Coding

Programmers’ job description ranges from simple writing, testing, maintaining and improving detailed computer programs. They also do a number of troubleshooting arising from their own codes or from previously existing programs. Main function therefore, is to make sure programs run smoothly without any glitch.

They are in a certain sense also designers, but what they do conceive is not the physical appearance of a website, but systems that run pc’s, networks and sites. It’s a must for them to be well versed in several programming languages.

Class of their Own

Expertise of programmers usually lies in 2 specific areas. Both of which directly affects different avenues in data organization and improvements. These professionals are aptly called application and system programmers respectively.

Applications programmers write programs handling precise tasks like tracking inventories, revisions of generic software applications, and customization of operating systems purchased from merchants. Well versed in skills estimating expected scopes and intended final products, they routinely go around if not remove potentially difficult features in systems and troubleshoot patches of programs that don’t work. Job centers on placing specific functions in database applications, games and word-processing software. Businesses, science, and engineering are their fields of choice.

Systems programmers maintain and control computer systems software, including networked systems, database systems, and operating systems. They therefore function in a much larger sense than their counterparts. Familiarity with hardware specifications, design, memory management, and structure is essential. Extensive knowledge of computer architecture and knowledge of the entire computer system is a given for them. Job is technically more demanding than general programming.

Tasks of Systems Programmers: Help applications programmers determine sources of problems occurring in programs. Modifications/changes in network, workstations and central processing unit of systems handling various jobs, and also includes working with database systems, such as DB2, Oracle, or Sybase.

Qualifying Good Programmers

After definitions, one must qualify them to be good enough to do your systems, programs and codes. Competent programming is not solely dependent on knowledge of programming language syntax. Your programmer must also be open to ideas, suggestions, and feedback of others. It is necessary for him to have an acceptable sense of taste in design and innovative enough to find solutions to programming and design problems. Programming is essentially providing leadership within and in a certain project or system that is why it is also essential for him to make decisive decisions when needed.

Offshore Hiring of Skilled Programmers

It is often difficult for entrepreneurs and business people to choose qualified if not skilled programmers. In this cut-throat e-business, a professional programmer is a must for any thriving website or organization. Offshore staff leasing may be the answer to such a need. Firms offering offshore services screen and find the right programmer for whatever industry or business clients are in. Only the best and brightest are accepted and such companies adhere to certain standards that guarantee quality and competency in the people they hire.

Professional Programmers should be a part of your corporate site and business organization. There is nothing more important that handling your business data properly to assure success and a good return on investment.

Trends in offshoring business processes are getting stronger and more stable. From simple assembly tasks, multinational companies are now set to move their research and development tasks to countries that have met their stringent standards. A recent study presented to the National Academies in the United States say corporations will send more and more of their research offshore.

These businesses are targeting progressive economies that hold substantial human resources adept in information technology, engineering and the sciences. Lure of minimal set-ups and overhead on the other hand, is just an added bonus. Main reason for exporting such activities is still the quality of work these offshore professionals deliver. Over 38 percent of the 200 multinational firms surveyed are going to decentralize their development process in the next three years. They are now globally shopping for talents capable of meeting their dynamic needs. In fact, executives believe offshoring gives them the business edge they demand in their respective industries.

It is no wonder outsourced activities are climbing the corporate ladder. But very few people see this as a threat to their corporate wares. Instead, it is perceived as just and natural progression of a normal booming business. Increasing awareness of info-tech gadgets also helps management monitor developments on their investments, unburdening them of worries caused by running a portion of their business overseas.

Now, businesses operating within different industries without their own websites are considered, not only site-less but also sightless. Robert Heller, a leading management guru, went even further when he said – “the new breed of organizations must be built on change, not stability: round networks, not hierarchy: on interdependencies, not self-sufficiency: on technological advantage, not fixed assets.”

It seems like offshoring is being deemed as the solution for giving existing firms their competitive edge. Others who do not do so, may find themselves behind league leaders in terms of market share and profits. More importantly, offshoring provides higher returns on investment companies have seen in years. Making it not only the “hottest business trend” around, but an “industry must” if companies and corporations are to survive and excel in their present industries.