The Missouri University Computer Science Department Meets “Customer” Needs
Sunday, March 14th, 2010
Successful businesses are distinguished by their customer orientation. They deliver products with just the right features, features demanded by users. The smartphone application development by the computer science department of Missouri University is a great illustration of how this can be done.
The customers in this case are members of Missouri Students Association. The association places a request for a smartphone application suite with certain specific functionalities, including communications services, dining services, a campus map and campus tour applications. Though a sports application was also requested, the university is not developing it as the sports department prefers to use its outlets to deliver news.
Groups of students at the computer science department are developing the different applications, which will then be consolidated. Again, customer orientation is evident as students are being provided development experience in a real-life environment.
The applications will include specific features that provide real value to students, such as menus, nutrition information and food ingredients at different dining halls in the dining services application. Though starting with iPhone, the applications will be developed to work across as many devices as possible, such as Blackberry, Windows smart phone and the iPad.
Data for the applications is being assembled from concerned sources, such as Dining Services and MU News Bureau.
Altogether, a great example of how to go about product development. See more details at the maneater
Tags: customer orientation, smartphone apps
Posted in business, education delivery, information technology, smartphone applications, technology commercialization, training | No Comments »
Technology Career Help in Changing Times
Sunday, March 14th, 2010
Job-seeking advice from a technology career expert published at eWeek include resume trends, job-seeking approaches for laid-off IT professionals and advice on becoming a contractor.
Resume Trends for 2010 include showing how the applicants contributed to improvements in their employer’s performance through the inititatives they participated in. The performance improvements should be quantified. Some suggestions for meeting the challenge of quantification, which can substantially add value to the applicant, is outlined in the eWeek article. Creating multiple resumes tailored to specific job positions is another trend that can become increasingly manifest.
Management position seekers should seek to convey their nontechnical competencies such as developing budgets, controlling costs and enhancing service quality. Technical skills can be mentioned but not emphasized. The emphasis should be on managerial performance.
Laid off workers have to counteract the impression that they were laid off for poor performance. A public announcement by their erstwhile employer mentioning a restructuring or strategic exercise, if available, can be of value for this purpose. A recommendation letter, preferably from the employer who laid the person off, is definitely worth it. Another tactic is contacting the prospective employers direct, instead of through job search agents and networks.
Probably one of the best options will be to move into a contracting position. Contractors typically need to provide references to satisfied clients. In the present case, the clients will be the companies where the person worked in the past. Can you show how you helped them, in quantitative terms?
Read the high value article with more specific details at eWeek.com.
Tags: become a contractor, job search, laid off, resume, technology jobs
Posted in business, job search, skills training | No Comments »
