InformationAeeCONFRONTING TOMORROW TODAY OCTOBER 1996 $4.95 SPECIAL REPORT TOP 50 SYSTEMS VENDORS MAPPING 1039-5008 A Strategic the Official Publication of the ISSN Publication Australian Computer Society It never works as well without the middle. t V > ^ s Introducing IBM Software Servers. The missing part of the client/server picture. OO You’ve got clients. You’ve got servers. But to build the most efficient client/server system, you’ll need the stuff that works in the middle - linking them all together. That’s where the new IBM Software Servers come in. There are seven in all, each designed to make a specific client/server solution live up to its promise. They work alone, they work together, they just plain work - because they’re based upon IBM technologies proven to be ruthlessly reliable in businesses the world over. And they’re built to run on your choice of platforms: OS/2,® Windows NT™ and AIX.® Now, as you demand more of your network, make sure you have software that’s up to the task. With IBM Software Servers, you’ll never again have that empty feeling in the middle. If you’d like more information visit our Australian homepage at http://www.ibm.eom.au or phone 132 426 and ask for SOFTWARE/INFO. Lotus® Notes® -- ■ ’ • ' Database Server Internet Connection Server Transaction Server Systems Management Server Communications Server Directory & Security Server Solutions for a small planet” ■mmm if A*mkS** GET THE1 WHOLE PICTURE ON I.T. EDUCATION Sequel aim to equip our course participants with the skills and knowledge to meet the challenges of today’s complex information environment. Our courses are presented by professionally qualified instructors with extensive hands-on experience with the products they teach. We limit the number of " attendees on each course to ensure each attendee receives individual attention and maximum interaction with the instructor. All courses are scheduled monthly and can be tailored to be run on your site. Please phone for further information on Sequel Courses or to obtain our current Course Schedule. Providers of training in: • UNIX PowerBuilder • C Programming Visual Basic • C++ Programming MS Office Development • RDBMS Courses MS Access Development • Windows 95 MS Desktop Packages PHONE: (03) 9811 9911, (02) 9957 4222 11707 Since July i 993, 584 members of the Australian Computer Society have enrolled in the Certification loin Our Program. 44 have completed four subjects to achieve the status of Certified Member of ACS. IT Leaders “Practical, authoritative and well packaged. The study-at-home format is flexible and convenient. It’s the closest I’ve come to actually Masters Level Distance Education in: enjoying study.” IT Trends Steve Wheeler, CMACS Steve Munro, CMACS Queensland Police Service Bureau of Meteorology Business, Legal and Ethical Issues “Certification is part of improving myself as an IT professional. It shows my employer and clients that I have gained a IT Strategy and Management “Certification will give you a comprehensive knowledge of my field. general perspective on IT which They can rely on the fact that my level of cannot be gained by pure practice Marketing and Selling IT knowledge has been formally examined alone and encourages you to think and accepted by the Australian Computer outside and around your own Society. Project Management environment”. The ACS Certification Program is cost- effective, world-standard trai. .g. /Tv Systems Integration already applied several tools and Liz Clarke, CMACS techniques to improve situations at work. Winscom Clarke Consulting Data Communications “Practical and manageable study The ACS Certification Program has: David Griffiths, CMACS program, very relevant to the IT •allowed me to effectively balance family, Department of Defence industry in Australia today. The work and self improvement study with a “Distance education offered me a CMACS program has enabled me disciplined program, • given me a flexibility that formal education to keep myself up-to-date with competitive edge with a proven body of could not match. I could carry out developments in the industry, knowledge, • expanded both the scope and my study program whenever and enhanced my knowledge and given depth of my professional areas of wherever it suited me. Ashok Jacob me s^s which I could use in my Glenn Lee, expertise, • provided practical skills I compare the program to a journey, CMACS work as I was doing the program.” CMACS directly applicable to real world work getting there is the achievement, but Wang (Australia) Australian Water situations, • enabled me to undertake a what stays with you is what you Technologies new and rewarding career path. gather on the way.” “I completed the Certification Program in 111 todc s IT environment, outsourcing, strategic alliance: 1995 undertaking the Project Management and ethics are typical of the situations IT Managers find specialisation. Rob Thomsett (the project ourselves in. We now need new skills and knowledge to management guru) designed this module and cope. This is why I undertook the CMACS programme. it was a worthwhile learning experience. The I found the CMACS programme to be the most focused and core modules were nothing short of excellent. relevant study I have ever undertaken. Overall the program is professional managed, J The Systems Integration module gave an excellent practical Jeffrey Irvine, the learning material is both of good quality and value for money. Presently, I am Terry Nugent insight into how to approach the integration of a number of CMACS undertaking a University Masters program CMACS different external parties within one project. TNT Express and the material of the Certification Program LJN Consulting An extremely pleasing side benefit of the study was I Worldwide rediscovered formal learning and found 1 enjoyed “being an is of the same standard but approximately half old dog and learning new tricks”. Iam now continuing my the price! ” study and using my CMACS subjects as credits towards an MBA.” “I believe the Certification Program provided added academic substance to my ACS membership. The “The project management modules provide a very program provided the vehicle to update my general sound basis for extensive IT projects undertaken by knowledge in that, apart from the course notes, it industry today. With such broad yet realistic forced the reading of various articles which provided guidelines expressed throughout the course, many either a broader view or different perspective on the “a i prac ing computer projects can be evaluated early to determine the true particular subjects by people considered as expert in professional responsible for managing value to a corporation. Business today must John Meadows, those subject. Overall I enjoyed the course as the large scale systems integration realistically evaluate any major IT project and subject CMACS topics were very relevant and items such as the video projects, I have found the ACS NZI Insurance presentation “Thomsett on Ethics” both enlightening Michael Skepton, the project to rigorous yet consistent guidelines. As Certification Program an invaluable and entertaining to watch. I would recommend that CMACS such the course material covered many aspects with aid in upgrading both my technical Betta Safe realistic examples, guidelines and assignments thus ACS members seriously consider completing the knowledge and my management skills. Computing Pty Ltd establishing a sound basis for project management.” Certification Program.” Clinton Reilly, The course was well presented, well CMACS documented and tailored to the need Computer of a practitioner with the type of heavy commitments that made “The base requirement of four subjects takes Greg Young, CMACS Strategies P/L attendance at a regular lecture course professionals out of their comfort zone and forces ANZ Bank impossible. Well done ACS!” them to understand other relevant issues. The “The opportunity to do the CMACS rekindled my desire to learn. The compulsory topics of IT Trends and Legal, Business program exposed me to a host of new ideas and fired my enthusiasm for and Ethical Issues set the scene very well and the further and wider learning. I have since enrolled in a Masters course at following subjects are narrow enough for any the Melbourne Business School. formatio echnology cannot specialists to pursue. My framed certificate sits in the place of honour on my study wall, next to expect to be treated seriously as a Anand Pradhan, I believe that the process has equipped me to support my ACS membership and my music exam certificate. I hope that by the end profession until the bulk of its CMACS my clients with broadened skills in a professional of next year it will be joined by a Masters certificate, which the CMACS practitioners are prepared to study IBM Australia manner. I have recommended the process to my helped to bring about. for this sort of Certification organisation as a formal test of knowledge and Rob Thomsett advises “Have fun and do good work”. The CMACS is a experience, and, as a prerequisite to senior good way of furthering both of those.” appointments. I would strongly recommend the Knobby Clarke, CMACS process and urge other professionals in the industry Winscom Clarke Consulting to participate in the process.” Australian Computer Society Certification Program Visit us at http://www/act.acs.org.au or call us on (03) 9690 8000 or email us on [email protected] CERTIFICATION SUBJECTS I.T. TRENDS - AIMS Project Management IT Strategy and Management The purpose of this subject is to ensure that all students reach a It is impossible to cover all I.T. topics in the 120 hours that The overall aim of Project Management is to present a A number of fundamental forces are at work reshaping the way in common level of understanding of those important trends in students will be expected to spend on this subject, and there may contemporary approach to the project management of information which IT is exploited in all organisations.