IT - New and Emerging Technologies?

[Digger.]

I used to be a IT Manager in a medium-sized Law Firm (4 years ago), became disenchanted and currently am a humble Facilities Manager/Caretaker in a large residential about to be refurbished, so no doubt will be looking for a new challenge in the next year or so.

From an IT perspective my CV now has a glaring hole in it. I am considering re-entering the market next year but fear I will have to start near the bottom and work my way up again!

I'd like to appear in front of potential employers & agencies(?!) with a highlight on my CV, of which I currently consider I have none.

I have spare time on my hands and wonder what the IT Gurus here consider to be the new and emerging technologies that will soon become prevalent. Internet Security, Firewall Technologies, new MS Operating Systems etc? I consider myself to be more of an Admin Troubleshooter and fixer type rather than the analytical programmer.

I freely admit that it will be a journey for me to re-enter this job market. Am I overly paranoid to think that because I will be hitting 40 next year that it will be even more difficult?

Thanks for reading.

MODS If you would kindly to allow this to run here for a while I'd appreciate it

[Justayellowbadge]

You could do a lot,lot, worse than genning up on Sharepoint/MOSS config.

[Munter]

VMware. Play with the free downloads.
Also the Microsoft Hyper-V stuff they are using.
And Xen.

All big topics and platforms I'm having to deal with at the moment.

[SpunkyMonkey]

If you left 4 years ago then start reading up on VMWare and virualisation in general - it's starting to become mainstream now (eg outside of giant international companies) and it's only going to get bigger.
Security is always a major factor, but the focus seems to have moved away from the network onto portable device. Not to say the network isn't important, more that a previously gaping security hole is now often being looked at.

[bodhi]

VMWare.
VMWare.


Oh, and VMWare.

[Arese]

Munter said:

VMware. Play with the free downloads.
Also the Microsoft Hyper-V stuff they are using.
And Xen.

All big topics and platforms I'm having to deal with at the moment.

Yeah, +1 here for virtualisation technologies. Virtualisiation saves rack-space, saves money, just what the bean-counters want to hear.

[V8mate]

Justayellowbadge said:

You could do a lot,lot, worse than genning up on Sharepoint/MOSS config.

+1

And maybe Microsoft EPM too - they are good 'bed-fellows'

[Munter]

bodhi said:

VMWare.
VMWare.


Oh, and VMWare.

Small W dude. VMware.

OP: VCP will cost you ~£3000 if I remember correctly.

[Justayellowbadge]

V8mate said:

Justayellowbadge said:

You could do a lot,lot, worse than genning up on Sharepoint/MOSS config.

+1

And maybe Microsoft EPM too - they are good 'bed-fellows'

Nah, EPM? Rubbish.

No market, no work in that.

And the rates are rubbish.

Honest, no-one should go into that.

or, to paraphrase:

Get off moi land.

[robodonkey2005]

Howdy - just some thoughts.....

Virtualization of everything (OS/Storage/Networks/CPU etc) seems to be popular at the moment (VMware on Wintel + Linux, Vendor specific on other platforms).
Disaster recovery is always a good skill (and quite platform independent).
Project Management (within IT) is always in demand - especially if you have IT management experience already!

If I was in your shoes, I'd be doing ITIL (pretty easy and "looks good" on your CV) and maybe a PM night course whilst starting in IT at whatever level you can get back in at.

Just my tuppence worth Best of luck with it (I'd rather be a caretaker meself)


ETA, while I was typing my reply it seems EVERYONE is talking about virtualisation! I guess that's a good sign

Edited by robodonkey2005 on Tuesday 30th September 12:00

[V8mate]

Justayellowbadge said:

V8mate said:

Justayellowbadge said:

You could do a lot,lot, worse than genning up on Sharepoint/MOSS config.

+1

And maybe Microsoft EPM too - they are good 'bed-fellows'

Nah, EPM? Rubbish.

No market, no work in that.

And the rates are rubbish.

Honest, no-one should go into that.

or, to paraphrase:

Get off moi land.

[Munter]

robodonkey2005 said:

Howdy - just some thoughts.....

Virtualization of everything (OS/Storage/Networks/CPU etc) seems to be popular at the moment (VMware on Wintel + Linux, Vendor specific on other platforms).
Disaster recovery is always a good skill (and quite platform independent).
Project Management (within IT) is always in demand - especially if you have IT management experience already!

If I was in your shoes, I'd be doing ITIL (pretty easy and "looks good" on your CV) and maybe a PM night course whilst starting in IT at whatever level you can get back in at.

Just my tuppence worth Best of luck with it (I'd rather be a caretaker meself)

Oh yeah ITIL. I cant believe I got 1 question wrong in the Foundation exam. It's that easy given a good course. Did mine with FGI. http://www.fgiltd.co.uk/

(who my company would in no way be connected with....honest)

[Digger.]

Thanks Guys

As suggested could play with VMWare etc at home. But I feel the need to get back to school/intensive studying to get back into the swing of learning again as its been a while. Will have to pay privately of course. Any London-based courses and sites recommended?

[Munter]

You can do my VMware Capacity Management online training course for £49. Now dont go expecting too much detail for £49. But it is cheap and brings some of our customers more up to speed.

http://www.metron.co.uk/training/online/vmware_cap...

[Digger.]

Munter said:

bodhi said:

VMWare.
VMWare.


Oh, and VMWare.

Small W dude. VMware.

OP: VCP will cost you ~£3000 if I remember correctly.

Do we have a consensus that A VCP qualification is seriously worth looking at? Presumably its module-based similar to acquiring an MCSE or similar?

[Digger.]

Munter said:

You can do my VMware Capacity Management online training course for £49. Now dont go expecting too much detail for £49. But it is cheap and brings some of our customers more up to speed.

http://www.metron.co.uk/training/online/vmware_cap...

Thanks for that

[V8mate]

Digger. said:

Munter said:

bodhi said:

VMWare.
VMWare.


Oh, and VMWare.

Small W dude. VMware.

OP: VCP will cost you ~£3000 if I remember correctly.

Do we have a consensus that A VCP qualification is seriously worth looking at? Presumably its module-based similar to acquiring an MCSE or similar?

No, you don't have a consensus - you had lots of other suggestions too.

[Digger.]

robodonkey2005 said:

Howdy - just some thoughts.....

Virtualization of everything (OS/Storage/Networks/CPU etc) seems to be popular at the moment (VMware on Wintel + Linux, Vendor specific on other platforms).
Disaster recovery is always a good skill (and quite platform independent).
Project Management (within IT) is always in demand - especially if you have IT management experience already!

If I was in your shoes, I'd be doing ITIL (pretty easy and "looks good" on your CV) and maybe a PM night course whilst starting in IT at whatever level you can get back in at.

Just my tuppence worth Best of luck with it (I'd rather be a caretaker meself)


ETA, while I was typing my reply it seems EVERYONE is talking about virtualisation! I guess that's a good sign

Edited by robodonkey2005 on Tuesday 30th September 12:00

My brain feels unsatisfyingly hollow. It needs some sustenance

[Digger.]

V8mate said:

Digger. said:

Munter said:

bodhi said:

VMWare.
VMWare.


Oh, and VMWare.

Small W dude. VMware.

OP: VCP will cost you ~£3000 if I remember correctly.

Do we have a consensus that A VCP qualification is seriously worth looking at? Presumably its module-based similar to acquiring an MCSE or similar?

No, you don't have a consensus - you had lots of other suggestions too.

As I am new to this I am unaware of what else there is out there. Thanks though


Any VMware/Virtualisation recommended reading material? Is Virtualisation the only next big thing?

What else is currently doing the rounds that will still be alive this time next year?

Edited by Digger. on Tuesday 30th September 12:16

[Yoshiwaan]

bodhi said:

VMWare.
VMWare.


Oh, and VMWare.

Seriously cannot stress VMware enough.

You can get a 60 day trial version of ESX and Virtualcentre from the VMware website if you register.

If you have a couple of spare (crappy) PCs around then you can set up a NAS/iSCSI and ESX/Virtualcentre. That way you can get used to all the settings even if it doesn't actually run any VMs.

If you want more practice with actual VMs then download VMwareServer (it's a free software) that can run on your normal desktop computer.

Edit: Typo.

Edited by Yoshiwaan on Tuesday 30th September 12:15