‘Green’ IT jobs – a burgeoning sub-sector
The anticipation of the Clean Energy Future legislation (Carbon Tax to most of us), which comes into effect on the 1st July later this year, has led to a burgeoning IT sub-sector – in cleantech and ‘green’ technology. Significant government funding will be spent on encouraging clean energy sources and their implementation, requiring a broad range of new green job skills, amongst them technological skills.
There are now numerous start-up businesses in the ‘green’ sector attempting to gain a foothold in this emerging market. These smaller companies offer employees the chance to gain experience across a broad range of areas and the potential upsides can be very tempting – with share option potential and the chance to work with a company set to become a genuine market leader. (Gordon Group Technology currently has a role for a Senior Software Developer in just such a company http://www.gordongroup.com.au/jobs/)
It’s not just start-ups looking to take advantage of the anticipated ‘green’ boom. The uncertainty, both political and economic, of last year meant that established companies holding off on technological development and R & D projects are now back in the game. Now that the Clean Energy Future package is underway, many of those projects have been given the green light. Renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind and tidal will be the major winners. The governments Clean Energy Finance corporation will make $13 Billion available for investment in these projects – with technology a critical aspect of these new projects.
Energy efficiency experts will find themselves in demand delivering specific advice to small and medium businesses supported by $40 million in grants for Energy Efficiency Information. Of course, this means demand for software and other tools, as information will need to be collected, measured, tracked and stored. In addition, $1.2 billion from the Clean Technology Program will help directly improve energy efficiency and R&D of low pollution technologies.
It’s the perfect storm – a growing ‘green’ sector, backed by millions of dollars of government support, coupled with exciting new technological developments. If you have experience in either sector the 2012 is your year!
m-Commerce in Australia: why we are behind the U.S. in NFC
How many of you have stopped for a cup of coffee or at your preferred street food vendor only to realise you haven’t got enough cash? Well in the next few years we are likely to see these small businesses adopt mobile commerce platforms and be able to accept and make payment via smart phones, iPad or other mobile communication devices. Here in Australia Near Field Communication (NFC) technology – a method of wireless communication, like Blue tooth, that uses a chip to transmit a high-frequency signal up to 10cm away is still a relatively unheard of concept. But we’re predicting 2012 will be the year for NFC technology in Australia – and we’ve got some catching up to do!
It all started when Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey heard that a former boss, glass artisan Jim McKelvey, missed out on a $2,000 sale because he didn’t except credit cards. Only a month later Dorsey and McKelvey had figured out the code for their mobile payment company, Square (see http://square.com). In December 2011 they accepted their one-millionth merchant. Jack Dorsey seemed quite happy with this achievement and later boasted on twitter, “To put that in perspective: there are only 8 million merchants who accept credit cards in the US.” The company is gaining 30,000 to 50,000 merchants a month and will process $2 billion in revenue this year.
Square uses a dongle device but there are alternatives. The CSI globalVCard is a Virtual MasterCard app designed for B2B use only as an alternative payment method, without the plastic card. Perfect for card-not-present transactions, such as online, over the phone, catalog purchases, mail in payments, or anywhere MasterCard is accepted.
Although these apps and devices have been mainly seen in the US, they are slowly gaining traction here in Australia, although we have been a bit behind so far. But we’ll catch up. Australia has nearly 1.8 million small businesses, many of which do not accept credit cards. The current credit card system is notorious for being confusing and filled with hidden fees. By contrast, business owners using mobile commerce devices will be attracted to the surprisingly low transaction rates and will also be pleased with the ability to live track transactions from miles away.
M-commerce also encompasses smart phone transactions from the customers end. This includes ‘bumping’ to transfer funds; making purchases through mobile apps and mobile webs browsers; and using the phone as a makeshift credit card itself. These mobile payment methods are booming overseas: PayPal mobile payments grew 14 fold last year. Frerk-Malte Feller, ex managing director of PayPal Australia, said, “the mobile phone is replacing your wallet in some instances. When I’m heading to the movies, I don’t bring my wallet anymore; I buy my ticket on the way, scan the barcode and jump the queue.” But whilst that sounds great, the fact remains that many Australians are frustrated by the slow growth in the m-Commerce market here.
Most of the major banks have made a start with m-Commerce and last year most of the major banks trialed various NFC technologies. The Commonwealth Bank is probably the furthest along. Late last year they launched their Commbank Kaching app for iPhone4S, 4 3GS and 3G. This free app allows iPhone users to ‘pay anyone, anywhere’ after ordering their iCarte case via the app. The app also allows P2P payments (peer to peer) via mobile, email or even Facebook. Westpac are still dragging their heels on their NCF micro-chipped ‘stickers’ as are ANZ.
Visa has an app called Visa Mobile for iCarte which allows visa card holders to pay with their visa using their iPhone. You download the app to enable your iPhone with the iCarte accessory, which is manufactured by Wireless Dynamics. This then allows you to make contactless payment at MasterCard PayPass and Visa PayWave terminals. It takes 1.5 seconds and Visa assures us it’s safe and secure. The transaction tracker allows you to keep records of what you have spent and even shows you where the nearest contactless vendor terminal is located. The drawback is that it’s currently only compatible with the iPhone 3GS and 3G models, but they promise the iPhone4 accessory is coming soon.
All these iCarte and ‘stickers’ are only interim technology though until the NFC chips are built into the phones themselves. So far the only smartphones with built in chips are the Samsung Nexus s, Nokia’s C7 and N9 and the Blackberry Bold 9900. Surely the iPhone 5 (rumored to be starting production this month) will incorporate this new technology? We’ll have to wait and see.
In the meantime, the banks in Australia seem to be waiting for the telcos and the telcos are waiting for the banks. Each sector cautiously circling this new technology but not quite ready for full commitment just yet. But with Australia being the third highest mobile broadband penetration globally, leading the US and the UK, we are not typically opposed to new technology. Perhaps it’s a case of the consumers being more advanced then retailers? Or perhaps we are cautious of NFC technology because we have little faith in bank security? It’s a matter of time though. By 2014 it’s predicted that 1 out of every smartphone worldwide will have NFC functionality (Juniper Reseach). Bring it on!
Technology trend alert: Mobile App Consultant
Mobile websites and apps are changing the way customers interface with businesses. However the multitude of devise operating systems and screen format options means that most businesses are not able to go it alone when developing new app technology. This is providing opportunities for a whole new breed of developer – setting themselves up as consultants and advisors for those medium sized businesses wanting to compete in the app arena. Whilst large companies can afford to hire up to 20 developers to work in-house on their app development, this is not feasible for most companies who are choosing to outsource these complex but important marketing tools.
Mobile App Consultants work as project managers to engage teams of highly skilled app developers, usually offshore, to transform the core operation of businesses. Some forward thinking businesses are now using apps not just as an add-on to their websites but as a core business strategy. US based businesses such as GroupMe, textPlus and photo-sharing firm Instagam are examples of businesses which have cut straight to the mobile app, doing away with the traditional desktop website altogether.
Engineering and design are the key criteria in app development and Mobile App Consultants wanting to catch the wave of this trend are advised to make sure that the mobile software developer and mobile visual designer work closely side by side from the start of the project. With the multitude of device platforms, from iPhone and Android to Blackberry and Windows Mobile, engineers with cross-platform experience will be a key requirement – although it’s advised that companies start off picking one platform for the initial app launch and going cross-platform later.
For Mobile App Consultants the contracts could be easily extended as app revisions and updates will pile up quickly, as well as extension of the operating systems. For those businesses wanting to invest wisely in this technology the choice of Mobile App Consultant is important and consultants will be expected to provide references and have worked on similar projects before but for savvy developers with business skills this is an exciting new avenue of opportunity.
Sydney 2012 IT Jobs Outlook
Despite the boom of the last two years in ICT spending in the development of tablet, application, cloud and telecommunications technologies we cannot ignore the fact that we are in the midst of massive global uncertainty and financial instability. This is affecting overall IT spending worldwide and spending forecasts are down (Gartner) as companies re-evaluate their level and timing of IT investment.
In Sydney we are seeing clear signs of caution as discretionary spending is put on hold. Companies seem reluctant to hire for any project that does not directly either make money or save money. However, candidates displaying high technical skills as well the highly desirable qualities of good communication skills, loyalty and willingness to be a team player will always be in demand. Those employees already lucky enough to have a great job with a good company are also playing it safe and we are seeing a noticeable decrease in candidate activity.
Here in Sydney though, we are not complaining. Top companies will always be able to attract quality candidates. And judging by the high number of resumes we receive from overseas candidates, there are plenty of highly skilled IT professionals both locally and throughout the world who want jump at the chance of a top job in Sydney.
Sydney’s top 7 IT careers in 2012
The Job Nerd looks at the top IT careers in Sydney right now and makes predictions for 2012:
1. Project Manager
The strongest demand will be experienced managers with proven local experience. 2011 saw a marked increase in demand for PM’s with agile experience, and the trend for offshore outsourcing continues to grow, with many Indian and Philippino based outsourcers now having physical offices in Sydney. The general theme for 2012 will be cost cutting, therefore we can expect these offshorers to have a good year, so PMs with experience managing offshorers should also have a good year.
2. Network Engineer
Cloud computing and the trend for enterprise data to be housed in outsourced data centres means that solid IP / network engineers are vital to ensure the secure transfer of data. Engineers with practical work experience in an organization that has migrated to a virtualized or cloud-based environment will also be popular. In particular, they’re looking for people with VMware and Citrix.
3. IT Security
As malware makers and cyber thieves develop smarter technology so businesses must find newer and smarter ways to protect themselves from security threats and breaches. Cloud computing has opened up further demand for skilled infrastructure security professionals.
4. Software Developer
In 2011 demand for developers with strong coding skills such as C# and Java outstripped supply in Sydney for most of 2011. However, there was a dramatic reduction in demand leading into the final ¼, so we are hesitant to make a forecast other than we do not expect this sector to be as strong in 2012.
5. Help Desk/Technical Support
As long as technology is used in the workplace, there will be a need for support staff, be they internal or remote. Locally based support staff with great English language communication skills will continue to be highly prized by companies.
6. Data Warehouse Architects
Businesses’ growing demands for data collection and tracking and using the data effectively points to a solid year for data warehouse experts, developers and analytics/analysts.
7. Mobile Apps Development
Without doubt the brightest spot for 2012 – Android and iOS developers will continue to have a strong year as major corporations build proprietary apps for their Tablet / iPad enabled salesforces.
Cool Stuff: Five Awesome New Smartphone Apps
Spotify
For: iPhone, Android,Windows Mobile, WebOS
Price: $10.00/month subscription
Already established as an important player in the world of streaming music, Spotify has released a new iPhone app that is allowing users access to over 15 million songs on the go. For a monthly charge of $10 iPhone users will have access to Spotify’s complete library of music. Users can stream the music directly from Spotify anywhere they have a wifi or 3g connection. Users are also given the option of downloading the music to their device to be used when they do not have a connection. The music syncs up directly with the user’s Spotify account, allowing for easy integration between desktop and mobile device.
Viber
For: iPhone, Android
Price: Free
Want the ability to talk with friends in far off place? Viber allows users to save money on their phone bill by making free calls and text messages over the internet. The person receiving the call or the text also has to have the app downloaded, but other than that the process is easy. VIber can be downloaded free on the iPhone or Android devices, and promises to help save money for people communicating across the world.
Key Ring Rewards
For: iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows 7
Price: Free
Still holding plastic membership cards on your Key Ring or wallet?- So 20thcentury. A free download for any iPhone, Android, Blackberry, or Windows phones, Key Ring Rewards allows people to never have to carry around their membership cards when they go shopping. Simply scan the barcode and recycle the plastic. When going through the checkout have the cashier scan your smartphone and it is as easy as that. The app allows for sharing of the membership cards between family members, and will even prompt you if you need to update your account. While this is not a life changing app, it will undoubtedly reduce the amount of plastic you need to carry around.
Word Lens
For: iPhone
Price: $10.00
Using the latest image capture and augmented reality technology, WordLens is able to translate real word objects in no time. Simply point your iPhone at a sentence or title and watch it be translated in real time. Right now Word Lens is only available for Spanish to English or English to Spanish, but with time the technology will only advance. Their Promotional Video is a must see to understand this amazing technology.
Mixology
For: iPhone Android
Price: Free
Becoming a bartender has never been easier. This app allows one to simply input what type of alcohols and mixers they have available, and immediately a list of the most suitable cocktails is created. The app gives detailed instructions and tips for making drinks and stocking a bar. Most importantly, if you’re missing any key ingredients simply enter your location and Mixology will let you know the nearest liquor store or bar.
Apple’s Steve Jobs: the legacy and the legend, a brief biography
We’ve lost one of the greatest minds of the century – arguably the most visionary ‘techie’ the world has ever seen. Steve Jobs was admired by business and technology experts the world over – not to mention the millions of users and fans of his products.
His unusual background and unorthodox style and temperament made him both a visionary and legendarily difficult to work with. His products were able to destroy the traditional image technologies, transforming the bleak and boring world of computing into one of the most desirable consumer products on the market. It was this eye for design that made his products remarkable, seamlessly blending technology and culture into highly user-friendly products. He is remembered as an inventor of products that are used daily, and have changed millions of lives.
Jobs’ road to fame took a strange path; adopted as a child, he was soon immersed in a counterculture of drugs and ancient religions. After dropping out of college, he had moved to San Francisco and began tinkering with different technology projects. He decided to set up his own company. Jobs designed a computer focused on improving the efficiency of every human being. This was revolutionary in those days of time-consuming and in-effective technology. Macintosh computers gradually began to earn a devoted fan base, however Jobs’ alienating behavior was reaching a point in which no one could stand working with him. By the mid 1980’s Jobs was essentially kicked out of the company that he had started. He left with hopes of starting a new computer company that could compete with Apple.
NeXT computers were hailed as being ahead of the curve in every way and Jobs was determined to jam-pack these computers with every bit of technology he could find. Eventually however, these computers out-priced themselves and the company was losing money. At the same time, Apple Computers was also finding it difficult establish themselves in the personal computing market. In a last ditch effort for both companies, Apple computers bought all the technology from NeXT. The estranged Jobs and Apple were back together. By 1997 Apple computers were headed towards bankruptcy, as the computers could no longer compete with the higher powered Microsoft PCs. Steve Jobs soon retook Apple as CEO, and in a matter of 15 years or so, he transformed the dying company into one of the most influential and profitable in the world.
Four products will be forever engrained in the legacy of Steve Jobs: the Apple IMac, IPod, IPhone, and IPad. All four of these products are engrained in the general consciousness of all computer literate people. Each product has been able to single handedly revolutionise the way an individual uses technology in their everyday life. By the early 2000’s computers were trending towards large towers, hidden under desks, with the monitor and other hardware sitting desktop. Jobs refused to follow these trends, and instead began to develop a product that could seamlessly and efficiently blend these into one device. Eventually this trend began to catch on, and the Apple operating systems were able to provide a much more seamless and cleaner product for the consumer. While there were other mp3 players before the iPod, none were able to provide such an efficient outlet for obtaining music as the iTunes store. Pretty soon these little cigarette-box-sized devices began flying off the shelves; humans were provided the opportunity to hold thousands of songs in the palm of their hand – and could easily buy these for just 99cents a song. The Apple brand became a picture of hip. Their ad campaigns feature up and coming musicians and their products maintaining a sleek and sexy look.
In the mid 2000’s the Apple stock soared, and it seemed as if Steve Jobs could do no wrong. The world was introduced to the iPhone in 2007, which once again revolutionized the industry. While smartphones had been around for a while, Jobs was determined to set his product above the competition. Through its subsequent new models, the iPhone has consistently been ahead of the curve, leaving other smart phone developers struggling to gain any footing and making the iPhone a status symbol.
The fourth and final product that cemented Steve Jobs as a something more than the typical business CEO was the iPad. While the iPhone marked a great achievement in the shrinking of personal computing, it lacked the speed or proper sizing to really bring computing portable, the iPad filled this gap in the market.
From when Steve Jobs retook the CEO position at Apple in 1997 to his death in 2011, he was able to take the seemingly dead company to astronomical highs. For the stockholders who believed in Apple, he was able to make them a fortune, with the stock rising from an IPO of $22 to well above $300 at his death. Billions of dollars were made, but that will not be the enduring legacy of Steve Jobs. His products managed to shift the entire paradigm of electronics.
Mentioned alongside Thomas Edison, Steve Jobs consistently managed to innovate and invent products that connected people and technology. Walking down the street it is impossible not to spot at least one person with white headphones coming from their ears, or someone checking their iPhone. Steve Jobs has left Apple in a strong position, with a supposed product line in place for at least another 3 years, it will be some time until the world realizes how much impact Jobs had in the creation of these products.
Australian industry will be left behind if it ignores low carbon opportunities, Minister tells business
09/04/10
The Australian business community will be left behind by global competitors unless it takes advantage of low carbon opportunities, Minister for Employment participation Mark Arbib said, according to the AAP.
He rejected the claims that Australia would be penalised economically by shifting to a low carbon economy, saying: ”Let’s be clear. Transitioning to a low carbon economy does cost … but as other countries have found, it also creates profound opportunities.”
AAP also qoted Arbib as saying: ”The sooner we transform our economy to take advantage of these opportunities, the bigger the competitive advantage.”
Speaking at a business lunch in Sydney, Arbib reportedly also said that a market-driven emissions trading scheme is the best way to tackle the issue.
“It goes without saying that Australian businesses need to be in the main game or risk being left behind,” he is quoted as saying. ”Even in developing countries like China very big green changes are happening.”
Arbib’s comments build on recent research, which ranked Australia last among G20 countries in its ability to remain wealthy as the world shifts to a low carbon economy. Only South Africa, India, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia fared worse.
The report — a product by London-based consultants Vivid Economics that was commissioned by the Climate Institute — showed that claimed about economic risks of tackling climate change are “outdated and backward.” It also found that the world was already moving to low-carbon products: last year for the first time global investment in clean energy outstripped investment in fossil fuel technology.
Home assessors to sue government over Green Loans scheme
31/03/10
Home sustainability assessors left financially out of pocket by the suspension of the government’s flawed Green Loans scheme are threatening to file a class action law suit over their losses.
According to a campaign website set up by a group of assessors, at least 180 people who have incurred debts as a result of the scheme’s training, insurance, registration and equipment costs have signed up for the suit.
The Canberra Times yesterday reported that Fieldforce, the biggest business operating under the loans program, is also seeking compensation, claiming changes to the scheme have put 500 jobs at risk.
The government axed the loans component of the scheme last month. It also said the number of assessors would be capped at 5000, with each assessor able to conduct only five home audits a week.
Labor shelves energy blueprint
27/03/10
The Rudd government has shelved its plans for a national energy policy blueprint for Australia’s energy needs because of uncertainty about the emission trading scheme and the cost to electricity generators of cutting carbon emissions.
The delay adds to uncertainty about the required $100 billion investment necessary to avoid electricity brown-outs, and industry leaders have called for the government and opposition to drop politics and come to a compromise on setting a price for carbon.
