Non-Certified Technology Skills: the Top 25 Right Now

by Don Sears

Internet applications are not plug-and-play. Making Flash and Air work on any OS and Web platform in any browser takes some open-source development know-how.

This IBM-centric Unix OS has not gone away with the finally-dead SCO case and neither has company demand for system administrators with AIX skills.

This former BEA Systems-owned technology is a strong middleware player in SOAs (service-oriented architectures), allowing many different technologies to play with each other. Translation: Experts needed.

Companies are taking the alignment of business and IT management seriously, and analysts who can bridge the gaps in translating business requirements into working IT processes are invaluable resources.

Business analysts can’t be measured in their effectiveness without clear performance management analytics, business intelligence tools and software experts who can implement these enterprise-level systems.

Oh, how the mighty programming language C++ continues to reign supreme in everything from video games, systems software, application software and device drivers to embedded software, high-performance server and client applications.

In the world of archiving data and storing it on a grand scale within key vertical industries, EMCs Documentum is a clear leader and skills needed in the deployment of new features and ongoing management of its system are needed.

Microsoft may have lost a little steam to Web applications, but its dominance in office applications and underlying infrastructure keep it a mainstay of things getting done and communicated at work. Having a recession doesn’t hurt MS systems either, as companies are more willing to stick with investments already in place and working.

Collaboration software needs deployment and support, especially as it gets integrated with MS Exchange mail servers, office apps and the Web. Microsoft continues to extend office applications internally across business departments.

Business is increasingly done on smart devices, and companies wanting to take advantage of mobile applications, extend their brand and monetize quick commerce need OS experts with broad wireless systems experience.

Vertical industry software solutions with a huge install base need developers, system managers and enterprise architects. Yet another major Oracle acquisition that positioned it against the other major enterprise software maker, SAP.

Manipulation of text files, among the many other uses of this versatile Unix-based programming language, keep Perl a hot skill for systems administrators, network coders and database access.

It may be lesser known on Wall Street than Oracle and SAP, but Progress Software is an enterprise software player with an install base of more than 60,000 in 140 countries. Its longevity in vertical applications and adaption in XML Web services markets keep its technology a strong skill set for enterprise architects, software developers and middleware consultants.

Applications of wireless sensors in everything from car sharing services and inventory management to logistics and the supply chain make engineering and RFID deployment skills a valuable career asset.

While not strictly a technology trait, quantitative and qualitative risk management techniques are increasingly becoming skills needed to manage the alignment of IT and business and keep technology project costs in check.

Networking skills connecting large enterprises to the Internet backbone smartly and securely are fundamentally grounded in routing. Whether it be Ciscos proprietary routing technology in IGRP or other routing practices, networking skills continue to have a large presence in almost every in-demand IT career list you will find.

SAP skills do not go away or lose much in pay value. There were 12 SAP-specific job titles on this list and included the following: SAP Basis Components, SAP CFM (Corporate Finance Management), SAP CS (Customer Service), SAP EHS (Environmental Management), SAP LES (Logistics Execution System), SAP PS (Project Systems), SAP PY (Payroll), SAP Retail, SAP SD (Sales & Distribution), SAP Security, SAP SEM (Strategic Enterprise Management), SAP Web Application Server.

The battle for complete dominance in the enterprise software space between Oracle and SAP is a constant. Deep enterprise investments in technologies from Oracles Siebel, SAP or Progress make software development, systems integration expertise and long-term maintenance know-how skills for the long haul.

Alignment is not a buzzword. There are sequenced management approaches like those found in six sigma and lean six sigma that may have roots in manufacturing, but are being employed in IT and business units across many companies. Do not underestimate the value of quality management.

The continued ascension of Web services in the enterprise make it a vital skill set as more technologies are being opened up to talk to each other. The SOAP framework is an essential technology, and those with knowledge and working experience have staying power.

Testers and quality assurance professionals with Tcl experience are needed in todays quick prototype application environments. Business managers want to easily test functionality and graphical user interfaces using one common language in Tcl.

One of the rising job titles in technology is enterprise architect, and having knowledge of best practices in technology design and process can find solid foundation in The Open Group Architecture Framework.

Wireless technologies need specific system expertise and knowledge. Securing wireless environments begins with an understanding of how to manage wireless access. The rise of the smartphone and the apps that power its use require real infrastructure prowess.

IBM built its business on hardware, but has grown its business with the Web and professional services. As a Wall Street darling and a gigantic install base, the breadth of WebSphere products is impressive and lasting. Many companies will go with IBM products somewhere in their infrastructure, and experience with IBM is a requirement.