Wednesday, September 26, 2012

10 hottest IT skills for 2013

The IT industry will be looking to hire in 2013.  A recent survey by Computerworld shows the ten hottest skills that these industry leaders will be looking for during the hiring process.  Luckily, here at babsim we have the perfect courses to complement each of these key areas.  Let’s start with number 10…

10) Data Center

-16% plan to hire for this skill in the next 12 months

Core technical skills remain in high demand, so it’s not surprising that data center skills still make the top 10.  Below is a new SQL Server 2012 class that will improve you knowledge of database management.


This five-day instructor-led course provides students with the knowledge and skills to maintain a Microsoft SQL Server 2012 database. The course focuses on teaching individuals how to use SQL Server 2012 product features and tools related to maintaining a database. Also this course helps you prepare for the Exam 70-462

9) Mobile Applications and Device Management

-19% plan to hire for this skill in the next 12 months

As consumer and business use of smartphones and tablets expands, employers are looking for workers who can handle the demands related to the proliferation of such devices.


This 5 day iPhone training course teaches application development for the iOS platform. It covers iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices. This course starts off by building a solid foundation in Objective-C. It then goes into details of application user interface development. After that the class teaches network access, SQL database, multimedia and graphics programming.

8)  Networking

-19% plan to hire for this skill in the next 12 months

IT leaders say they still need networking professionals who have solid experience.


Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices: Accelerated (CCNAX) v1.1 is a 60-hour instructor-led course that provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to install, operate, and troubleshoot a small to medium-sized network, including connecting to a WAN and implementing network security.

7) Virtualization

-24% plan to hire for this skill in the next 12 months

IT pros have to understand the storage and clusters behind the virtual server.  Before the connection was more physical; now it’s more logical.


This hands-on training course explores installation, configuration, and management of VMware vSphere®, which consists of VMware ESXi™ and VMware vCenter Server™. Completion of this course satisfies as a prerequisite to take the VMware Certified Professional 5 exam (voucher not included). Students who complete this course may enroll in any of several more-advanced vSphere courses

6) Cloud

-25% plan to hire for this skill in the next 12 months

Companies will need cloud computing experts as they move beyond existing data centers.


You will weigh the pros and cons of cloud computing to make effective decisions and meet IT challenges.

5) Wait, did you think we would give you all 10 this week?  Nope, you have to tune in next week for the top 5 IT skills companies will be looking for in 2013!

-Matt

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Microsoft Office Suite 2010

We do a lot of training here at Babsim for back end products like Windows Server or Visual Studio, but you don’t have to work in the IT industry to come across everyday problems that can be solved easily with a computer program.  Maybe you have a book report due for school, or you need to make a presentation to a sales team.  No matter what task is at hand, you can usually find the solution in the Microsoft Office Suite.

The good news is that we also do end user training for these tools so that you can learn the basics or master the entire program.  Take a look at some of our classes below:  


You will work with the new and updated features of Microsoft Office 2010.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
•identify the features that are common to all applications in the Microsoft Office suite.
•modify documents using Microsoft Office Word 2010.
•present spreadsheet data using Microsoft Office Excel 2010.
•create Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2010 presentations.
•work with databases using Access 2010.
•manage tasks using the new features in Microsoft Office Outlook 2010.
•share files in Microsoft Office 2010.

Microsoft Word


You will create, edit, and enhance standard business documents using Microsoft® Office Word 2010.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
•create a basic Word document.
•edit a document.
•format text.
•format paragraphs.
•insert a table.
•insert special characters and graphical objects.
•control the page setup and appearance of a Word document.
•proofread documents for accuracy


You will create complex documents and build personalized efficiency tools using Microsoft Office Word 2010.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
•manage lists.
•customize tables and charts.
•customize the formatting of a document using styles and themes.
•modify pictures in a document.
•create customized graphic elements.
•insert content using Quick Parts.
•control text flow.
•use templates to automate document creation.
•use the mail merge function.
•use macros to automate common tasks


You will create, manage, revise, and distribute documents.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
•use Word with other programs.
•collaborate on documents.
•manage document versions.
•add reference marks and notes.
•simplify the use of long documents.
•secure a document.
•create forms

Excel


You will create and edit basic Microsoft Office Excel 2010 worksheets and workbooks.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
•create a basic worksheet by using Microsoft Excel 2010.
•perform calculations in an Excel worksheet.
•modify an Excel worksheet.
•modify the appearance of data within a worksheet.
•manage Excel workbooks.
•print the content of an Excel worksheet


You will use advanced formulas and work with various tools to analyze data in spreadsheets. You will also organize table data, present data as charts, and enhance the look and appeal of workbooks by adding graphical objects.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
•use advanced formulas.
•organize worksheet and table data using various techniques.
•create and modify charts.
•analyze data using PivotTables, Slicers, and PivotCharts.
•insert and modify graphic objects in a worksheet.
•customize and enhance workbooks and the Microsoft Office Excel environment.


You will automate some common Excel tasks, apply advanced analysis techniques to more complex data sets, troubleshoot errors, collaborate on worksheets, and share Excel data with other applications.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
•enhance productivity and efficiency by streamlining the workflow.
•collaborate with other workbook users.
•audit worksheets.
•analyze data.
•work with multiple workbooks.
•import and export data.
•integrate Excel data with the web.
•structure workbooks with XML.
PowerPoint


You will explore the PowerPoint environment and create a presentation. You will format text on slides to enhance clarity. To enhance the visual appeal, you will add graphical objects to a presentation and modify them. You will also add tables and charts to a presentation to present data in a structured form. You will then finalize a presentation to deliver it.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
•explore the PowerPoint 2010 interface and familiarize yourself with the interface.
•create a presentation.
•format text on slides.
•add graphical objects to a presentation.
•modify graphical objects on slides.
•work with tables in a presentation.
•import charts to a presentation.
•prepare to deliver a presentation.


You will enhance your presentation by using features that will transform it into a powerful means of communication. You will customize the PowerPoint interface to suit your requirements and use features to create dynamic and visually appealing presentations. You will then finalize a presentation and secure it to authenticate its validity.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
•customize the PowerPoint environment.
•customize a design template.
•add SmartArt graphics to a presentation.
•add special effects to a presentation.
•customize a slide show.
•collaborate on a presentation.
•secure and distribute a presentation.
Outlook


You will use Outlook to compose and send email, schedule appointments and meetings, manage contact information, schedule tasks, and create notes.
 Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
•explore the Outlook interface, send mail, and respond to messages.
•compose email messages.
•organize email messages into folders.
•manage contacts and contact information.
•schedule appointments.
•schedule a meeting.
•manage tasks and notes.


You will customize the Outlook environment, calendar, and mail messages, and will also track, share, assign, and quickly locate various Outlook items.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
  • customize message settings.
  • organize and locate Outlook messages.
  • set calendar options.
  • track activities using the Journal.
  • assign and track tasks.
  • share folder information.
  • customize the Outlook environment.

You will work with the advanced features of Outlook.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
  • personalize their email.
  • organize Outlook items.
  • manage Outlook data files.
  • work with contacts.
  • save and archive email messages.
  • create a custom form.
  • work offline and remotely.
-Matt

There is no challenge too large for Babbage Simmel

The IT industry is constantly evolving.  We understand that every now and then your organization may need to change from one technology platform to another, sometimes very quickly.  Whether you’re an organization with a few employees or a large agency with numerous workers, there are no tasks too large for Babbage Simmel’s accommodation.

Recently the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) moved to a Microsoft Windows-based system from an old mainframe application.  This huge transition revolved around a 30 person team of core developers and about 84,500 person-hours.  All of this was completely done in house.  Babbage Simmel is pleased to have been part of this initiative as the technical training firm enlisted to implement a customized training program for the DPS development team. Some of our finest trainers and resources were engaged here at BabSim getting ODPS team up to speed on the .NET technologies and everything they would most likely encounter during the major shift.  A big congratulation is in order for the chief of IT governance and strategic direction, Keith Albert, and his team over at ODPS for this successful campaign.

As mentioned in a recent Computerworld article, despite skepticism from many about ODPS doing all of the transition in-house, the project was a major success.  It’s estimated that the project will save the agency between $7 million and $10 million dollars over the next five years.  What organization doesn’t want to save that kind of scratch?

Babbage Simmel played a critical role in this transition for ODPS, and the training and support their team received will continue to shape their agency for many years to come.  So remember, no matter how big or small your challenge with implementing new technologies, Babbage Simmel has the right size solution for your needs.

You can read the whole article about the ODPS transition over at the Computerworld website, and below are some of our current .NET offerings.


This five-day instructor-led course provides knowledge and skills on developing Web applications by using Microsoft Visual Studio 2010


In this course, students will learn to develop advanced ASP.NET MVC and Web Forms applications using .NET Framework 4 tools and technologies. The focus will be on coding activities that enhance the performance and scalability of the Web site application. ASP.NET MVC will be introduced and compared with Web Forms so that students know when each should/could be used. This will also prepare the student for exam 70-515.


In this course, experienced developers who know the basics of Windows Forms development gain more advanced Windows Client design and development skills. WinForms and WPF programming models, as well as relative strengths and when to use each technology, are covered.

-Matt