Monthly Archives: May 2011

Service Knowledge Management System (SKMS)

Components making up the Service Knowledge Management System

The SKMS describes the complete set of tools and databases that are used to manage knowledge and information, including the Configuration Management System as well as other tools and databases. The SKMS stores, manages, updates and presents all information that an IT service provider needs to manage the full lifecycle of its services. The main purpose of the SKMS is to provide quality information so that informed decisions can be made by the IT service provider.

Whereas the CMS focuses on providing information relating to the configuration of the IT infrastructure, the SKMS has a broader scope which includes anything pertaining to the needs of service management, including:
* Experience of staff
* Records of peripherals
* Supplier and Partner requirements and abilities
* Typical and anticipated user skill levels.

Targeting CCIE by Passing CCNA and CCNP Certifications

To reach a desired job position in a certain enterprise organization, an individual has to show that he or she has what it takes to perform specific job duties and responsibilities. Usually, it requires years of experience to master or at least become an expert on a certain field. However, there is no better way to prove one s qualification other than passing exam certifications. This is the reason why a lot of certification institutions were established through the years. On the networking side, Cisco is the leading IT certification provider.

To indicate one s networking competencies, a candidate can take two options. First is by taking a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), then a Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or make a huge step by taking on the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE).

CCNA is a prerequisite for CCNP, making it as an entry-level certification that indicates an individual s basic knowledge of networking concepts. CCNA is also the minimum criteria on most networking job posts. But then again, CCNP promises a better career opportunity, especially in terms of compensation. This will definitely give networking professionals the needed motivation to keep on learning new things as bigger rewards are at stake. However, there is a need for CCNP recertification every three years. Though preferably, taking on the CCIE certification should be the next target.

There are no formal prerequisites for CCIE but its difficult nature that makes networking professionals settle for the CCNA/CCNP certifications. Research shows that fewer than 3% of exam hopefuls attain CCIE certification, making it one of the most respected IT certifications nowadays. Getting CCIE certified is indeed a pride that proves one s exceptional networking capabilities.

Understanding Notes on Arrays for SCJP 1.5

First, what is an array? An array, in the IT world, is basically a collection of elements that are the same as one another with the collection itself identified with a special or unique identifier. These elements under the same collection batch are situated in contiguous memory spaces.

The advantage with using an array is that there is no need to identify and tag each individual element with its own special or unique identifier. The array itself will have its own special or unique identifier. The first element (called an index in the world of arrays) will always have a value of zero regardless of how long that index is.

Now, used in the world of SCJP 1.5, you may find that the SCJP 1.5 exam requires knowledge of arrays. You can see in the Exam Objectives in Section 1 that the examinee is required to declare and produce an array, initialize it, and then employ that same array as variables that are local, instance and static through the codes written by the examinee.

Apparently, arrays come into the picture in Section 1 because they make up one of the most basic concepts in the SCJP accreditation world.

One tip you need to acknowledge is that SCJP 1.5 is harder than SCJP 1.4 in general. To understand arrays and how they help you in the SCJP 1.5 world, do not rely on braindumps which just require route memorization. Rather, aim for understanding how arrays fit into the grand scheme of the SCJP 1.5 system and emphasize knowing how to write code for arrays too.

ISO 9000 3: The Quality Standard for IT Software

ISO 9000 deals with quality management standards. It is basically an international consensus of good practices on quality management systems. Its aim is actually toward customer satisfaction. The ISO 9000 standards actually focus on the process and not on the products.

One of its standards is the ISO 9000 3. Being a member of the ISO 9000 family of standards, it is also geared toward keeping customers satisfied. But it is specially focused on quality management for computer software. It contains the guidelines on how ISO 9001 can be applied when companies develop, supply, install and maintain computer software. Because the software industry is a bit complex, these standards need a thorough understanding. The ISO 9000 3 manual provides the guidelines for auditing the compliance of regulations and standards. With the manual, assessing company compliance would be thorough and done well.

Implementing ISO 9000 3 would mean doing a series of actions. Again, all of these actions are focused on achieving quality and giving customer satisfaction. According to ISO 9000 3 standards, projects on software development should be planned and laid out based on the life cycle model. It begins when contract requirements are specified. Then it continues on with the development planning, designing and implementation. It goes on until the testing, acceptance and delivery or installation is done. Maintenance should be a part and documentation and quality records should also be accomplished. And there should also be training as well.

ISO 9000 3 was set forth for the IT community. Since ISO 9000 is applicable to almost all industries, guidelines were set so the IT industry would be able to do quality management as well.