IT HARDWARE INDUSTRY
AN ASSIGNMENT ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
HARDWARE INDUSTRY
SUBMITTED BY
RAM KRISHNAN.S
1ST YEAR MBA
ICM
TRIVANDRUM
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL FEATURES OF IT HARDWARE INDUSTRY
1.1 An Overview
Hardware industry basically includes computers systems, computers chips, circuit boards, modems, printers, key boards, etc. The history of computing hardware encompasses the hardware, its architecture, and its impact on software. The elements of computing hardware have undergone significant improvement over their history. This improvement has triggered worldwide use of the technology, performance has improved and the price has declined Computers are accessible to ever-increasing sectors of the world's population. Computing hardware has become a platform for uses other than computation, such as automation, communication, control, entertainment, and education.
Each field in turn has imposed its own requirements on the hardware, which has evolved in response to those requirements. India is becoming one of the international hubs in Hardware sector. Even after being less glamorous than the Software sector, the Hardware industry is booming at a rapid pace across the globe. It has the potential to equal Software exports also. India is now in a position to start semiconductor fabrication. India's first chip fabrication plant has been set up in Andhra Pradesh by US-based chip maker AMD and consortium Semlndia at a cost of $3 billion.
1.2 Indian Hardware Industry
In recent times, India is becoming one of the international hubs in Hardware sector. Even after being less glamorous than the Software sector, the Hardware industry is booming at a rapid pace across the globe. It has the potential to equal Software exports also. India is now in a position to start semiconductor fabrication. India's first chip fabrication plant has been set up in Andhra Pradesh by US-based chip maker AMD and consortium Semlndia at a cost of $3 billion. Hardware accounted for about 49 percent of the total domestic IT-BPO spends in FY2006, its share falling below the 50 percent mark for the first time ever. While pricing continued to slide across key categories, domestic hardware revenues grew by 20 per cent in FY2006 and are expected to exceed USD 7.5 billion, growing at about 17 percent in the current fiscal. According to a joint study by Ernst & Young and Hardware Industry association MAIT, the Indian industry will be touching the $62 billion horizon by 2010. Overall, the top 20 Indian software and hardware firms reported a combined revenue of Rs.183,621 crore (Rs.1.84 trillion/$39.52 billion) in 2009, compared to Rs.149,250 crore (Rs.1.49 trillion/$32.12 billion) in 2008
CHAPTER 2
INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT AND WORK CULTURE
2.1 Hardware Networking
Networking hardware typically refers to equipment facilitating the use of a computer network. Typically, this includes routers, switches, hubs, gateways, access points, network interface cards, Networking cables, network bridges, modems, ISDN adapters, firewalls and other related hardware. The most common kind of networking hardware today is copper-based Ethernet adapters, helped largely by its standard inclusion on most modern computer systems. Wireless networking has become increasingly popular, however, especially for portable and handheld devices. Other hardware prevalent within computer networking is datacenter equipment (such as file servers, database servers and storage areas), network services (such as DNS, DHCP, email etc) as well as other specific network devices such as content delivery. Other diverse devices which may be considered Networking hardware include mobile phones, PDAs and even modern coffee machines. As technology grows and IP-based networks are integrated into building infrastructure and household utilities, network hardware becomes an ambiguous statement owing to the increasing number of 'network capable' endpoints
2.2 Necessity of Networking
To share computer files
To share computer equipment
To enable unlike computer equipment to Communicate
To improve communication speed and accuracy
2.3 Connection method/ Process of networking
Computer networks can also be classified according to the hardware and software technology that is used to interconnect the individual devices in the network, such as Optical fiber, Ethernet, Wireless LAN, HomePNA, Power line communication. Ethernet uses physical wiring to connect devices. Frequently deployed devices include hubs, switches, bridges and/or routers. Wireless LAN technology is designed to connect devices without wiring. These devices use radio waves or infrared signals as a transmission medium. ITU-T G.hn technology uses existing home wiring (coaxial cable, phone lines and power lines) to create a high-speed (up to 1 Gigabit/s) local area network.
Wired Technologies :
Twisted-Pair Wire -
This is the most widely used medium for telecommunication. Twisted-pair wires are ordinary telephone wires which consist of two insulated copper wires twisted into pairs and are used for both voice and data transmission. The use of two wires twisted together helps to reduce crosstalk and electromagnetic induction. The transmission speed range from 2 million bits per second to 100 million bits per second.
Coaxial Cable –
These cables are widely used for cable television systems, office buildings, and other worksites for local area networks. The cables consist of copper or aluminum wire wrapped with insulating layer typically of a flexible material with a high dielectric constant, all of which are surrounded by a conductive layer. The layers of insulation help minimize interference and distortion. Transmission speed range from 200 million to more than 500 million bits per second.
Fiber Optics –
These cables consist of one or more thin filaments of glass fiber wrapped in a protective layer. It transmits light which can travel over long distance and higher bandwidths. Fiber-optic cables are not affected by electromagnetic radiation. Transmission speed could go up to as high as trillions of bits per second. The speed of fiber optics is hundreds of times faster than coaxial cables and thousands of times faster than twisted-pair wire.
Wireless Technologies :
Terrestrial Microwave –
Terrestrial microwaves use Earth-based transmitter and receiver. The equipments look like satellite dish. Terrestrial microwaves use low-gigahertz range, which limits all communications to line-of-sight. Path between relay stations spaced approx. 30 miles apart. Microwave antennas are usually placed on top of buildings, towers, hills, and mountain peaks.
Communications Satellites – The satellites use microwave radio as their telecommunications medium which are not deflected by the Earth's atmosphere. The satellites are stationed in space, typically 22,000 miles above the equator. These Earth-orbiting systems are capable of receiving and relaying voice, data, and TV signals.
Cellular and PCS Systems – Use several radio communications technologies. The systems are divided to different geographic area. Each area has low-power transmitter or radio relay antenna device to relay calls from one area to the next area.
Wireless LANs – Wireless local area network use a high-frequency radio technology similar to digital cellular and a low-frequency radio technology. Wireless LANS use spread spectrum technology to enable communication between multiple devices in a limited area. Example of open-standard wireless radio-wave technology is IEEE 802.11b.
Bluetooth – A short range wireless technology. Operate at approx. 1Mbps with range from 10 to 100 meters. Bluetooth is an open wireless protocol for exchange data over short distance.
The Wireless Web – The wireless web refers to the use of the World Wide Web through equipments like cellular phones, pagers, PDAs, and other portable communications devices. The wireless web service offers anytime/anywhere connection.
CHAPTER 3
STRUCTURE OF THE INDUSTRY
The scope of the services provided by IT services companies has been evolving. From services around products to system-related services and business process services, it is more difficult to identify IT services offerings that do not involve solving a business problem.
The key players in the field are
IBM
INTEL
AMD
BLUE STAR
FUJITSU
CSC
EDS
Of the current top 10 services providers IBM Global Services, EDS, Fujitsu, and CSC (Card Security Code) A three- or four-digit number printed on the back of credit cards for security purposes. Called "Card Verification Value" (CVV) by Visa, "Card Validation Code" (CVC) by MasterCard and "Card Identification (CID) by American Express and Discover will maintain their positions but won't hedge bets on the remaining leaders in today's market. The threat of eroding market share won't come from only traditional IT players. When customers look for a logistics solution, for example, they might direct their attention to Ryder Integrated Logistics or UPS, which have not been on IT services providers' traditional radar screen.
CHAPTER 4
INDUSTRIAL ATTRACTIVENESS
Hardware Market
India is the fastest growing IT hardware products market in the Asia Pacific Region. Most of the prominent global as well as local vendors are operating in the competitive Indian Market. Although, India is a diverse country with a huge population base and a significant enterprise universe, it has one of the lowest PC penetrations. This is perceived to be the greatest opportunity for the future by the hardware vendor community. Additionally, the Indian Software and BPO industry is also creating a great potential for employment. All of these make India one of the most exciting markets for IT hardware vendors. The excitement however comes with the challenge of understanding the typical marketing structure and conquering the geographical diversities.
Effective global business planning starts with accurate intelligence on technology trends, user requirements, spending, market forecast, market shares and competitive strategies. IDC India was formed 40 years back with a vision to quickly identify the best growth opportunities in the IT market place and formulate winning strategies for the Hardware vendors. The Hardware Research Division of IDC India is used by more than 90% of today's Hardware vendors. Having tracked the market for so many years, no one else has a better understanding of the hardware market than IDC India. The research done by the division provides forecast of each technology market, which is used by the vendor communities for strategic and tactical planning. Getting a job in hardware sector is not as easy as other fields as the main thing that comes first is the experience and knowledge in technology.
But basically once you got a job in hardware section almost you position is secures. As the recession has effected the 43% of software professionals, the hardware professionals affected were just 17%.
Aptitude
The field of computers is an applied field where one needs to have a lot of i analytical skills and aptitude for problem solving. The first step towards problem t solving is interaction with the client to know the nature of the problem. For this one should have oral as well as written communication skills. One should also have better negotiation skills. IT domain needs a collaborative teamwork where each individual has equal importance and is vital to the project execution and implementation. Therefore, team spirit, collaborative nature are prerequisites for the job. The pace of the project selection and execution is so much that one should be able to adapt and transform him vis-avis the changing surroundings.
A faster response time is envisaged from individuals. At the same time one should adhere to quality standards. Hardware professionals have additional responsibilities of not only softwares and programmes work but also of making computers efficient, faster and network-oriented for better transfer of data. For a successful career in hardware, the candidate should be trained and certified to work on leading Operating Systems, like UNIX, Windows 2000, etc. One should be eager to know and adopt different networking patterns. Refined interpersonal skills are assets to a Hardware professional. One should be able to handle emergencies and unexpected situations calmly and efficiency.
Eligibility:
The minimum eligibility for taking a hardware course varies from course to course. For short-term certificate courses the minimum eligibility is 10+2 with Mathematics at least in Standard 10. For Diploma courses of six months to one-year duration, you should be either graduate or pursuing graduation course. Long-term Diploma courses like Postgraduate Diplomas or Advanced Diploma courses require Graduates in any discipline. For M.Tech. One should be either B.Tech or MCA from a recognised institution or university. One also needs to clear entrance test and or have a valid GATE score.
CHAPTER 5
EMPLOYMENT IN HARDWARE INDUSTRY
5.1 The various job options for Hardware professionals are:
PC and Computer Support: The PC technician usually deals with system-related problems which require closer monitoring. The job of a PC technician is to provide computer support services, software maintenance and upgrading, diagnose and troubleshoot software and hardware. He is also responsible for the setting up of the new equipments and software packages and also dealing with virus infection. A PC technician should have the technical skills with a fair degree of communicative ability.
Networking Professional: A person who joins two or more computers together to share and exchange information between computers, placed at various places is a Networking Professional. The Networking Professionals deal with system maintenance and failure, applying software updates and fixes, attending to network related PC support issues, evaluating new solutions, documentation, maintaining hardware, backups and maintaining cabling end network. Networking professionals work enhancing productivity and efficiency, reducing costs and gaining competitive advantage.
Computer/Chip Designer: The job - includes the development of new designs according to the latest trends, products and development in electronic technology. The Chip Designers usually work an chip designing, circuit designing, computer architecture or the design of devices like printer, etc.
Chip Designers design chips of silicon wafers which are used in computers, electronic products, mobile phone, etc. they work for architecture development which involves mastery over details of user interface, instruction cell, input output operation, organisation of memory of computer system, verification, synthesis and physical designing.
Computer Manufacturers: The Computer Manufacturer takes the responsibility of component assembly to testing and monitoring of the computers.
Technical Support Executives: Candidates should have a degree or diploma in Computer Science with a good knowledge of Networking technologies and systems. Freshers as well as experienced persons can apply for the posts.
System Administrator: The candidate should possess knowledge of Networking concepts and operating systems such as LINUX/Windows Server and a database like ORACLE/ SQL Server, etc. The ideal candidate should have a degree or an equivalent qualification with additional certifications like OCP/ RHCE/MCSE, etc.
System Specialist: Specialisation in designing, administering and implementation in the respective areas with some experience will entitle you to become a System Specialist.
5.2 Remuneration:
The remuneration of IT Hardware sector depends on the job profile and the experience of the candidate. The Network Engineers with certification on relevant technologies from Cisco, Microsoft, etc., can earn up to Rs. 2-2.2 lakh per annum. The Network Administrators with two years of experience can get around Rs. 4-5 lakh per annum. The System Integrator with three years of experience can earn Rs. 5-6 lakh annually whereas; the System Analyst having 5 years of experience can get more than Rs. 7 lakh annually.
A VLSI engineer on the other hand can earn up to Rs. 4.5 lakh per annum. One can also get a better pay package if he is a Microsoft Certified System Engineer, Cisco Certified Network Associate or Cisco Certified Network Professional. The best remuneration which is Rs. 15-20 lakh per annum is given to candidates who are Cisco Certified Internet Experts. There are 3 levels for Cisco Certified Network Engineers—associate, professional and expert. These are offered in the domains of routing and switching, network security and service provider. So, there is a tremendous scope for the job seekers as this is a niche field that requires expertise which is not widely available. The growth prospects, in terms of technical knowledge and escalation to higher positions, are among the fastest in the technology industries.
5.3 Others Jobs:
Operations Field: There are ample job opportunities in Operations Field in IT sector.
Electronic Data Processing (EDP) Managers: The work of an EDP Manager is to ensure that the EDP department works properly under his supervision in order to receive the maximum output. At times, he also works as a system analyst or a programmer.
Graphics Designer: A graphic designer's task is to create fascinating illustrations by using various design software like Adobe Acrobat, CorelDraw, Adobe Photoshop, Photo paint, etc. on computer which are usually required in commercial advertising, brochures, pamphlets, catalogues, books and book covers, magazines, posters, banners, etc. A successful graphic designer should be creative and should have a great aesthetic sense.
Enterprises Resources Planning Professional: The task of an ERP professional is to provide data to enable a business to monitor and control its over all operation.
IT Enabled Services:
The two vital sectors of Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) are Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO). With ITES-BPO-KPO sector driving the Indian industry, there is a tremendous potential for persons having computer knowledge and certifications. The basic raw material in the ITES-BPO-KPO sector is computers, which envisage the needs for computer professionals who help in the design as well as flow of information.
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO): It includes several customer-oriented activities like marketing, selling, etc. with the help of adequate telecom facilities, trained consultants, access to wide data base, Internet and other on-line information support infrastructure. Popularly known as Call Centers, there is no specific qualification required for it but one should be good at communication and IT skills. The various job profiles in BPOs are Call Centre Executive, Customer Service Associate, Customer Support Officer, Customer Service Executive and Customer Interaction specialists.
• The various job profiles in BPOs include:
Customer Service Associate-Voice Support: This job usually deals with a variety of issues from investigating and solving client's account queries to providing detailed market information and discussion about client investments.
Customer Service Associate-Service Centre: The task of a Customer Service Associate in a BPO in Service Centre is to process client details concerning their financial investments with their own organisation for their foreign clients.
Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO): KPO is about the in-depth work involving high skills and analytical work. It involves transfer of business process to other geographic location; specialized domain specific knowledge and business expertise of a higher level rather than just process expertise.
Internet and Web Technology: With the wide ranging impact of Internet usage in the world, a plethora of career opportunities are coming in the light.
• The various job options for professionals in Internet and Web Technology are
Web Developer: The job of a Web Developer is to write code contents for websites into HTML. A good web developer should be proficient in HTML, Java script and ASP.
Site Designer: The designing, implementing and maintaining hypertext publishing site are done by site designers. A site designer is basically the master of interface as he is responsible forks outlook. He has constantly into research and evaluation of new designs. He is the one who is responsible for making the website attractive.
Web Administrator: The job of a Web Administrator includes creating and maintaining a world wide website, responding to e-mail, ensures the smooth operation of the site, creating and updating web pages and maintaining the overall structure and design of the site.
IT Marketing: The people involved in IT marketing require an in-depth knowledge of the latest hardware and software to target key customer segment vis-a-vis particular machines and programs.
• The job options in this segment include:
Marketing Advisor: The job of a marketing advisor is to advise the industry on various aspects. He studies about the use of computers in a particular industry. People from banks, railways and defence background are preferred.
Sales and Marketing Executives: The executives in this field work for the sales promotion of newly launched hardware and new versions of software. The personality traits required for this job are confidence, self-motivation, enthusiasm and passion to deal with people.
CHAPTER 6
THE FUTURE OF HARDWARE AND TECHNOLOGY
Technologically, we live in an ever-evolving world that is seemingly limited only by our own imaginations and the expanding confines of science. Recent technological breakthroughs have given us the glimpse of a future that was once believed to only be science fiction. In the very near future we could see imagination turned into reality. Doctors and scientists have been working together and have made some pretty impressive advancements that once more bring medicine and technology closer together. The combination of the two for the use of prosthetics relies on bio-mechanics, or bionics for short.
Future computers
Welcome to the age of the disposable PC. What with Wal-Mart today selling a personal computer for $199, it is too expensive to dispatch a repair person to fix a machine and too expensive to ship it back and forth from a repair depot. Within five years, a hardware failure will mean that the user will throw away the machine, unbox a new one, plug it into the network and then watch as his data, preferences and applications are "reincarnated" into the new machine from a central service.
Touchless Data Center
We're heading toward the death of the centralized, monolithic data center as we have come to know it. The density of blade servers, combined with better management software, will allow people to deploy computing infrastructure the same way they deploy telephone equipment - in closets within office space. With blades, it will be possible to put hundreds of servers in a fraction of the space used today. And remote management software will eliminate the need for the vast majority of administrators to touch the hardware, leading to the "touchless" data center.
Long Live the Mainframe
Mainframes have been declared "deceased" many times in the past 10 years, but by mid-2003, mainframes will be at the center of new Web-driven technologies, such as Web services, and a focus for integrating existing applications. In terms of what companies are trying to accomplish, mainframes will become a hot technology for the first time in 20 years
Strength of Itanium
Intel Corp.'s Itanium 2 processor will slowly gain acceptance and eventually provide a common platform in the enterprise - not only for Windows servers, but also for any of the Unix variants that are being ported to it, such as HP-UX and Linux. Advanced Micro Devices Inc. will be hard-pressed to keep up the pace with its 64-bit chips but will provide enough competition to Intel to keep them on edge.
OLED Displays
Organic LED displays - made of light-emitting organic material that glows when an electrical charge is passed through it - are thinner, brighter and less expensive than current LCD displays. This technology could literally change the size and shape of computers in the future. It's very intriguing technology, but commercial products are still five to six years away.
CHAPTER 7
CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY
Hardware play a huge part in many all of our lives in one way or another. They have many purposes and are used in various types of environments, such as medical facilities, government offices, and many households. They also are the reason we are able to surf the internet, watch animated television shows and see movies with special graphics. Computers have impacted our lives in many ways. You may not notice it but they did make life a lot easier. Without computers, the world would be a harder place to live in. Thanks to computers, everyday life is easier for us. Some people may disagree but most wouldn't Computers have made the impossible possible . In a household a computer possibilities are endless. All that is needed is internet connection and the computer. Computers are beneficial because one can pay bills, go to school and stay connected to family and friends all over the world.
One can pay bills without having to write a check or placing the bill in a postage envelope. The bill will be paid within the next 72 hours or so. The benefit in that is that there is no paper trail, no chance of the bill getting lost in the mail and no late charges because the bill has been paid and confirmed. Going to school does not have to be in a classroom but in the comfort of your own home. Many people have chosen to take internet classes because otherwise they would not be able to continue their education. Talking to family and friends does not have to be done over the phone or through mail the computer has made it possible to chat with family over the internet or via e-mail. Not only is chatting possible but using a web cam will allow you to see your loved one and a microphone will allow you to talk to one another, no matter where they are. Deployed soldiers can see there children and wives from anywhere as long as they have a web cam. Computers are making so many things possible. so basically hardware forms the basement for everything in this world of technology and science.
THANK YOU
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