The IT Crowd: Who’s Who in Information Technology

By Sharil Dewa

Malaysia has come a long way in terms of information technology (IT). From the dotcom boom of the mid-90s when Jaring and TMNet came alongside the Multimedia Super Corridor – to the bubble burst only years later coming on the back of the Asian economic crisis of 1997, a lot has been said, and will continue to be said about the role of IT in Malaysia.

Today, more than ever, IT professionals are in demand, commanding many of the opportunities available in the local job market. Almost every company now has an IT department, government bodies all have complementary IT personnel and even schools are bound to have computer labs and IT staff. Technology, particularly in computin, will always be on the rise, and knowledge can become obsolete very quickly. Hence, opportunities will always abound for people who are skilled in IT, to manage modernised systems and implement solutions.

However, dramatic revolutions in the field of information and technology has witnessed individual branchings within the sector, boosted by multi-billion dollar investments from within Malaysia and globally. As a result, IT can no longer be classified in an all-encompassing, simple way. The term now encompasses a wide range of technology and computing, as IT professionals now conduct varying duties ranging from simple installation of hardware and software to the design of complex networks and secure databases.

Management and administration of entire systems now fall under their responsibility. If, in 1995, the “IT” tag could be used on any IT personnel to cover a wide range of responsibilities in information technology, today in 2009 more specific terminology would needed to be used.

Below are some definitions of specific IT job titles:

• Computer Support Specialist: These specialists provide assistance to end-users, normally remotely but also face-to-face, with personal computer maintenance, troubleshooting, and management.
• Data/Database Administrator: Today’s complex database use relational management systems and require meticulous administration and maintenance. Administrators are also responsible for the planning, configuration and implementation of these databases.
• Data/Database Analyst: Basically, these are the people responsible for the initial database set up. Analysts draw up the blue print for a database structure, from the development of its data flow model and the actual database design.
• Hardware Engineer: Hardware engineers are specialised in the design of computers. They determine its specifications, target users and communication hardware set ups. Normally working in groups of individuals on single projects, they are usually responsible for new computer designs and innovations.
• IT Manager: Sometimes called information systems (IS) managers, they manage their organisation’s overall internal information technology architecture. Usually a single person in a company or organisation, IT managers are solely responsible for the daily management of information systems which can include databases, user operating systems, individual networks, hardware set up, network integrity including internet connections and telecommunications, and the maintenance of computers and servers.
• Internet Engineer: People in this position work with, manage and maintain the networking structure for their organisation’s network connectivities such as inWide Area Network (WAN), Local Area Network (LAN) or with its web site on the Internet.
• Internet Multimedia Developer: With more social and interactive media being used on the World Wide Web, multimedia developers are in demand. They develop quality media content for websites, using programming and development tools or software such as Adobe Flash and Dreamweaver. Developers with the ability to build engaging and interactive content for online viewers, or for computer- and Internet-based training modules and software demos can command quite good salaries.
• Network Administrator: Specifically focussed on the management and maintenance of a company or organisation’s Local Area Network (LAN), which allows office workers to connect internally to each other.
• Network Engineer: Also recruited for internal connectivity, network engineers will plan, design and implement Local and Wide Area Networks (LANs and WANs).
• Network Security Analyst: Responsible for the design, implementation and maintenance of an organization's network and computer security policies.
• Programmer/Analyst: They are responsible for designing and implementing computer information systems, and for using programming languages such as to write software applications for those systems. Programmers also develop computer programs that allow end-users to interface directly with computer operating systems and hardware. This is one of the more common job titles in the market.
• Software Engineer: Responsible for designing and programming large-scale computer systems and applications, normally they work for software design companies or companies who depend on computerised software for their businesses.
• Support Service/Help Desk Technician: Responsible primarily for supporting end-user software applications in person, over the telephone, and through remote access.
• Systems Analyst: These personnel perform a lot of research, to plan and recommend software or system alternatives to meet the ever-evolving needs of their company or organisation.
• System Administrator: Manages an organization's computer and operating systems.
• Technical Writers: As well as technical knowledge, most writers are also reliant on language skills as they author documentation for hardware and software, both for engineers and consumers, and also for third-party vendors.
• Web Programmers: Also quite common, web programmers usually design and develop applications and scripts for the World Wide Web.

As the article demonstrates, IT now is such a developed industry that continues to evolve, and along with that comes various job responsibilities, defined by specific roles and definitions.