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Data & Business Intelligence Job Descriptions

Big Data vs Business Intelligence: what are the differences?

difference between big data and business intelligence
difference between big data and business intelligence

Although they are two closely related concepts, Business Intelligence and Big Data are not the same thing. They are not even interchangeable. In this article, we compare Business Intelligence and Big Data to see their main differences.

Also read our Data Protection Officer Job Description

Differences between Business Intelligence and Big Data

What can we expect from a solution like Business Intelligence (BI) and Big Data? BI or Business Intelligence software helps companies make decisions based on data and metrics. But what does Big Data have to do with it?

Nowadays, there are many companies that use data as a resource. They rely on it to support strategic decisions that help to grow and improve the business. In this aspect, both Big Data and Business Intelligence work together on that data. However, they do not do it in the same way, since we can find differences between them.

But before we look at the differences between Business Intelligence and Big Data, we should give a small definition of both. This will give us enough context to explain their differences.

Also read our Data Center Manager and Big Data Engineer Job Description

What is Big Data?

difference between business intelligence and big data

Big Data it is a set of technologies and tools that allow us to manage and process large amounts of data at high speed and in real-time, whether they are structured, semi-structured, or unstructured.

The data come from various sources (smart devices, sensors, social networks, websites, etc.). However, it is not so much the quantity as the quality of the data that matters. In other words, they are usable to generate relevant ideas and make good strategic decisions.

Therefore, when we talk about Big Data, we are referring to a large volume of complex data that is difficult to manage and analyze without the right tools.

Also discover our Database Administrator Job Description

What is Business Intelligence?

difference between business intelligence and big data

BI is the combination of software applications, infrastructure, and practices that make it possible to access and analyze the information collected by companies. Info they then use to improve decision-making processes.

It is through BI and its tools that we can carry out quality analysis of the data obtained from Big Data.

With Business Intelligence tools, companies can make decisions based on data already processed and treated to convert them into information.

Analyzing the information

The analysis of all this information makes it possible to obtain new data and exploit previously collected information. These processes are useful to:

  • Generate new information from the analysis of existing data, e.g. for demand forecasting or people classification methods.
  • Identify alarms or exceptional situations to review/study in order to take appropriate action.

The value obtained by these companies translates into:

  • Cost savings
  • Speed
  • New products and service
  • The anticipation of the competitors
  • Better operational management, etc.

Now that we know what they are, we can see the main differences between Business Intelligence and Big Data.

Also read our Business Intelligence Analyst job description

Main differences between Business Intelligence and Big Data

Comparing these concepts is like talking about two worlds. They are still under exploration, but which constitute the closest reality for companies. Both allow extracting the value of information in totally different but complementary ways.

BI is a set of business management techniques that enable companies to make decisions based on data; Big Data, on the other hand, are the tools that can obtain, store and process data.

In other words:

  • Business Intelligence provides access to data sets that are already organized and stored so that the user can easily navigate them,
  • Big Data focuses on massive processes for a large volume of data, with very different organization and origins, in order to obtain new information.

This means that with Business Intelligence, companies can carry out analyses and draw conclusions, produce reports, graphs, maps, tables, etc. with 100 per cent detailed information. With Big Data, the opposite is true.

In short, we can summarize the main divergence between the two as ‘innovation and discovery vs. questions and answers‘. Some of the processes that business intelligence uses to deepen data are: the use of software, the feeding of knowledge systems, the transformation of data into actionable intelligence, etc.

Another difference concerns the type of data with which both methodologies work.

In Big Data all types of data, structured or unstructured, are collected.

Business Intelligence, on the other hand, only works with structured data, which has previously been stored in a database hosted on a server (also called a data warehouse), which allows it to work with offline data.

Business Intelligence and Big Data do not store data in the same way

Big Data & Business Intelligence Data storage

Speaking of data storage; we have already pointed out that Business Intelligence stores data in a database hosted on a server and this must be done prior to processing and analysis.

Big Data, in order to work at the speeds it does, must use several servers to store the large volumes of data, i.e., it must use distributed file systems in nodes to store the information, such as Hadoop. These systems, which are much more flexible (they allow data to be stored without labelling) and more secure, since if one of the nodes fails, the information will be replicated on other nodes.

Data are not processed in the same way

Big Data and BI Data processing

Data processing is not carried out in the same way either.

As we have already mentioned in the previous point, Big Data uses a system of files distributed in nodes, which allows parallel processing of data, thus optimizing the speed at which data is handled. It does this by executing several instructions at the same time, comparing the results obtained, grouping and analyzing them before presenting the final solution to users.

In Business Intelligence, queries must be made to the database to obtain the solutions sought.

Also read our Data Scientist: Job Description

They also differ in how they perform data analysis

Big Data and Business Intelligence Data performance

If Big Data can store and process structured and unstructured data, it also has the tools to be able to analyse and visualise large amounts of data, regardless of its type and origin. This is particularly useful for companies, since the vast majority of data currently collected comes from various sources on the Internet and only around 20% is structured.

In addition, Big Data has the ability to work with data from the past as well as in real time, which makes it possible to make more accurate predictions.

Business Intelligence, since it can only work with previously stored, processed, classified and converted data, always works with data from the past.



Main differences between Big Data and Business Intelligence

The professional profile is not the same either

Big Data VS Business Intelligence professional profiles

Finally, Big Data and Business Intelligence also differ in the type of professional profile dedicated to each speciality.

On the one hand, the professional profiles for Big Data usually include mathematicians, computer engineers or statisticians. In addition, they belong to the technology department and report to the CTO (Chief Technology Officer).

The data analyst is the leading expert for all business database operations. They assemble and process data in order to evaluate business activity and make appropriate recommendations. Their work enables them to ‘make the data speak’ by interpreting it.

Read the entire job description of the Data Analyst

On the other hand, professional profiles for Business Intelligence come from fields such as business administration, economists or marketing, although they may also include engineers or technicians.

For example, QlikView is a Business Intelligence platform facilitating self-service data interpretation. Thus, the QlikView solution enables big data analysis to be transformed into actionable insights.  As a consequence, the role of the QlikView developer is to prepare prior data processing to adapt the tool to the business needs and the activities of the company. 

Meanwhile, the role of the IT Business Analyst aims to bridge the gap between the various operational departments and the IT department. 

They are usually found in the company’s management department and report either to the CSO (Chief Strategy Officer) if there is one, or directly to the CEO.

Also discover the role of the IoT Consultant

Why Business Intelligence is important

Businesses are undergoing the shift towards digital transformation. More and more businesses are seeing the need to invest in data analytics solutions for one simple reason: information is power.

Through them, we can have full control of data and increase business insight, as well as:

  • Save time and costs.
  • Improve the service offered to customers.
  • Facilitate the consultation of data.
  • New business opportunities.
  • Obtain verified, transparent and reliable results.

Having exposed these advantages, we can affirm that having a BI platform is essential to achieve business success.

Although each company is a different world, all of them can find competitive advantages in BI. Solutions focused on business intelligence are no longer seen as a simple tool focused only on large companies, so more and more SMEs are becoming interested in its technology.

What you shouldn’t do in Business Intelligence

What you shouldn't do in Business Intelligence

Here are the things you should avoid at all costs when it comes to BI:

  • Choosing a technology that does not meet your business requirements, needs, or problems.
  • Poorly defined software objectives in the planning phase.
  • Forgetting the role of the end user.
  • Lack of integration and protection of company data.
  • Leaving the back-end in the background and giving top priority to the front-end. They must be in balance.

Learn more about the most common mistakes to avoid in Business Intelligence

So, Big Data vs Business Intelligence, which wins?

The truth is that neither, because it is not a competition between the two methodologies. But rather they must work together to get the most out of data collection and analysis.

Thus, the Business Intelligence team will work together with the Big Data team. They need to establish the data to collect and then go on and analyze it. For its part, the Big Data team will look for patterns in the data to communicate them to the BI team.

Also discover the role of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) expert

The next Business Intelligence challenge: real-time analysis

If BI wants to remain relevant and not be displaced over time by Big Data tools, it must take the next step and be able to have its own tools for real-time data analysis.

In other words, BI will also need to carry out analysis on unstructured data and achieve a system in which it is possible to detect and respond to situations that occur in the market in a quick and agile manner.

This does not mean that Business Intelligence will stop working together with Big Data. This is because the process of collecting and storing massive data will continue to fall to the latter. But it does mean that the former will have tools that allow it to analyze these data in real time. This without having to process, treat and store them in a database as it has been doing until now.

You can also read : 10 Business Intelligence Stats That Show Its Worth

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Job Descriptions Project Manager

Project Management, roles, skills and career paths

project manager roles skills
project manager roles skills

You’ve probably heard of the role of project manager. And now you’re wondering what these professional roles consist of and what their tasks and career paths are. Well, in this article we will tell you all about the Project Manager roles, their competencies, skills, and salary expectations.

What is Project Management?

Firstly, let’s define what it is. Project Management is the process of planning, developing, and delegating responsibilities for an organization’s intended objectives of a particular project according to agreed criteria.

What is a Project Manager?

Then, based on the definitions found on the Internet, the Project Manager is the person responsible for planning and safeguarding the successful execution of the steps to carry out a project. In other words, it is the profile that coordinates the work of the team to meet the objectives.

Large companies have always invested in a similar role to take responsibility for the management and supervisory tasks. But, why are the roles and skills of the Project Manager more important today than ever before? What has changed so that all companies have decided to incorporate one in their ranks?

The answer is simple. The digital business context in which we find ourselves is very changeable and the strategy varies according to external demands. This is why today, more than ever, companies need Project Managers, who will keep the focus on objectives and take into account the external factors that the team is facing.

Also read our Validation Engineer and Solution Arc13 interneshitect: Job description

Roles and skills of a Project Manager

The most relevant roles and skills of a Project Manager include:

  • Defining the reason why a project is needed
  • Specifying the quality of each deliverable part
  • Estimating the resources and timelines required
  • Developing and implementing a plan and processes for the project
  • Leading and motivating the team
  • Managing risks, issues and changes to the project
  • Monitor progress
  • Maintain ongoing communication with stakeholders

Also read our CTO and Technical Expert Job description

Salary expectation of a Project Manager

Salary expectation of a Project Manager

According to the data, 71% of Project Managers who have shared their salary say that it has increased in the last year. The demand for this profile continues to grow steadily, mainly in countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Spain.

Of course, the salary depends to a large extent on the project management experience that each person brings. Among the most in-demand profiles, the average salary of a Project Manager with 2 to 5 years’ experience is between $30,000 and $40,000 gross per year, depending on the geographical area and the size of the company.

Skills of a Project Manager

Skills of a Project Manager

The role of project manager, unlike other profiles, does not require purely technical knowledge. Rather, it requires a specific set of skills that are acquired while working in the profession. For example, the ability to plan, organize, coordinate and control work.

1. Leadership

In the digital era, the role of the Project Manager must revolve around leading and driving the digital transformation within the company. A good leader must know how to transmit these values to their team. Also, they need to transmit their motivation to work and achieve the objectives.

Also read our Director of Information Systems and Quality Manager job description

2. Teamwork

Being a leader does not mean that you do not need to work in a team. On the contrary, you need to interact with many hierarchical levels within the company, and it is important to know how to do it with each one of them to clearly determine the objectives and guidelines to be followed.

3. Organization

To a large extent, the Project Manager’s job is to organize, organize and organize. The organization of the processes and actors involved in the project depends on him/her, as well as a good organization of the deadlines and times of the actions.

4. Communication

If there is one thing a Project Manager is expected to be, it is a great communicator. One of their tasks is to create good communication channels and ensure that all the agents involved in the project know and are clear about their role in the planning.

5. Conflict management skills

In addition, interpersonal relationships in project management are a fact of life, and it is inevitable that conflicts may arise at some stage. That is why it is important that the Project Manager knows how to manage this type of problem and act as a mediator to solve them and create a good working environment.

Discover 17 IT management certifications for IT leaders

6. Ability to delegate

A good manager must also be aware of his or her limitations and assume that it is impossible to cover everything. Therefore, it is important that he/she knows when to delegate and trust his/her subordinates, respecting their functions and motivating them in their work.

7. Detail-oriented and attentive

The quality of the service provided is one of the main objectives to be met by the Project Manager. To this end, he/she must be demanding and attentive to detail, assessing at all times that the standards of excellence are met and being able to identify what goes wrong to make the right decision at all times. 

8. Knowledge of the market

Undoubtedly, if the project has a market outlet, it is the Project Manager’s job to know the trends and the competition that may arise to adjust the focus of the objectives towards success.

The position of e-CRM (electronic customer relationship management) project manager lies at the intersection of the IT, marketing, and sales functions. This role occupies an important place in the field of web-based customer relations, as it coordinates the implementation of digital campaigns across all of a company’s digital platforms.

Read also our article on the job description of the e-CRM project manager to learn about the required skills and salary expectations for this position.

9. Target orientation

In addition to setting the main objectives within a project, unforeseen events can also arise. It is crucial that the Project Manager knows how to guide the team with quick and precise decision-making, and establishing deadlines.

10. Knowledge in evaluation and metrics

Having knowledge of analysis and metrics is essential for the Project Manager since one of its functions is to evaluate the efficiency, progress, performance, productivity, and quality of a project or product. In this sense, metrics help to know the status of the ongoing project in terms of time, costs, and profitability.

Also read our IT Product Manager job description

11. Budgeting and planning

The budget indicates how funds will be spent during the lifetime of a project. The Project Manager needs to define in terms of cost all efforts invested in each task.

Also read the IT Business Analyst Job description

What you need to study to become a Project Manager

Professionals with specific and multidisciplinary training with a digital base who manage value, time reduction, agility, and reliability of objectives are becoming increasingly important in companies. Although there is no specific career with which to learn to cover Project Manager roles, you do need to have skills in management, business, and techniques such as design thinking, problem-solving, and Agile & Scrum.

Design Thinking

Project Manager skills Design Thinking

Design Thinking is a discipline that is based on the sensitivity and methods of designers to match the needs of people with what is technologically feasible.

Brands are constantly looking for digital experts that combine emotion and innovation. It is within this context that they seek the help of a Creative Technologist.

The Creative Technologist plays an important role in the digitization of an agency or brand. His or her main mission is to help position brands through technology and innovation. It is a hybrid job that combines expertise in technology, marketing, and design.

Also read about the Creative Technologist

Problem Solving

Project Manager skills Problem Solving

Problem-solving is the skill that determines why a problem arises and how to solve it. It starts with identifying issues, devising solutions, implementing these solutions, and evaluating their effectiveness.

Agile and Scrum

Project Manager skills Agile and Scrum

Agile and Scrum is the process of regularly applying a set of best practices to work collaboratively as a team to achieve the best possible outcome for a project. Moreover, Agile and Scrum are some techniques used to achieve objectives.

The Agile transformation can be a very difficult project for a company. Many reasons can lead to failure: management not open to agility, change of direction and goals…
The Agile Coach is a change agent for companies on the road to agility. He helps companies transform over the long term.

Also read our Agile Coach Job Descrtiption

On the other hand, the origin of the term Scrum comes from rugby. The job of the Scrum Master is analogous to that of the scrum-half. The Scrum Master has the responsibility to push others in the right direction. Promote team unity, and communicate with the outside world. The Scrum Master, therefore, acts as a guide. He or she helps and facilitates the work of the team, with a view to improvement and adaptation.

Also read our Scrum Master Job Description

Jira is a multi-functional platform developed by Atlassian that facilitates the management of development and Agile projects. It is a tracking software enabling teams to define activities, identify blockages and share information. This tool is specifically designed to meet the needs of teams working in Scrum or Kanban.

Explore the role of the Jira Administrator

Need advice on how to start or develop your freelance consulting business in tech or IT? Need to start a new permanent or freelance assignment? Join Mindquest and get support from our team of experts.

Categories
ERP & SAP Job Descriptions

What is ERP, the advantages and disadvantages of SAP

What is ERP SAP
What is ERP SAP

ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning. ERP is software that allows companies to integrate different operations within a single program. While ERP is a generic name to refer to enterprise resource planning, SAP is the best-known ERP software.

In this article, we will explain what is ERP, why it is important, and also the advantages and disadvantages of SAP.

Need advice on how to start or develop your freelance consulting business in tech or IT? Need to start a new permanent or freelance assignment? Join Mindquest and get support from our team of experts.

1. What exactly is ERP

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is a software that allows combining production, logistics, inventory, accounting, and human resources operations in the same program.

One of the advantages of ERP systems is their ability to automate processes, resulting in time and cost savings for companies. This is because the implementation of an ERP within the company can bring a large amount of important information on business performance onto the same platform, thus giving order and consistency to all the data generated day by day in the project. 

When talking about ERP, it is impossible not to mention SAP.  And the difference between the two concepts is very simple.

ERP is the generic name used to refer to an enterprise resource planning system, any system, regardless of brand or function; SAP is a specific ERP, and one of the best known.

1.1 Why is ERP crucial for a business

There are certainly many good reasons why ERP is critical to a company’s success. Below are the most relevant ones, let us analyze them together considering the various areas of business management.

  • Firstly, a good ERP implementation helps companies better manage financial activities, from payroll administration to sales reports.
  • ERP also helps provide a clearer picture of the company as a whole.
  • ERP helps improve customer relations and accompanies the company in the technological adaptation that is so much in vogue in recent years.
  • As a unified system, ERP promotes data compatibility in all its areas.

Also read how to implement an efficient ERP in 6 steps

2. Systems, Applications, Product (SAP) in Data Processing

Systems, Applications, Product (SAP) in Data Processing

The name SAP comes from a German multinational company founded in 1972 by former IBM employees. Since then, in the name of this world-renowned company, SAP services or “Systems, Applications, Products in Data Processing” have been used in almost all areas of business administration.

The company’s development has been so rapid that it has become the leader in ERP software. Its services stand out for covering both administrative and customer needs and providing the necessary tools.

Particularsly, there are three basic characteristics of the SAP system: Tailor-made, Canned, and Open Source.

2.1 SAP: a Tailor-made system

Firstly, when one speaks of a system as tailor-made, it means that it has a high degree of personalization. And this, in system terms, refers to a large number of modules that SAP offers. These modules allow each company, small, medium, or large, to adapt it to its own objectives and use only the functionalities that are of interest to it.

Although they have some disadvantages such as unforeseen events and the cost of the process, they meet the needs of the client in a more positive way when dealing with small or medium-sized businesses.

2.2 SAP: a canned system

Then, a canned system means that it includes the systems of companies that produce software to meet the needs of the market on a broader level. The canned system is marketed through software licenses.

The experts’ conclusion on this feature is that it is very difficult to develop a system that encompasses all business functions. For this reason, they say, companies buy a canned ERP that is tailor-made to their needs.

2.3 SAP: an open-source system

Last but not least, as a group of programs, SAP system handles large amounts of data, analyses it, and allows for faster and more compliant processes.

SAP is an open-source system that can be modified by the client, and in the specific area of SAP the programming language is ABAP. The fact that the programs are open provides excellent benefits to the companies that use them.

2.4 Characteristics of the ABAP language

  • Goal-oriented programming
  • Simple language
  • Event-driven
  • Ready for multi-language environments

Moreover, the ABAP language has elements to declare data, internal control elements, operational elements, and database access.

3. The advantages and disadvantages of SAP

SAP systems have their pros and cons. We will detail the main advantages and disadvantages of SAP.

3.1 Advantages of SAP

Simplicity

Firstly, one of the advantages of SAP is its ease of use. The interface is very intuitive and, although its use can become more complex with the addition of modules and new functions, it is not necessary to have the in-depth technical knowledge to understand and enjoy the tool.

Flexibility

Another advantage is that the flexibility offered by this system allows companies to create rules in the SAP system. This will make it possible to channel possible errors and mistakes. In companies, it is possible to decide which employees have access to the data handled by the SAP system.

3.2 Disadvantages of SAP

Periodic system update

Among the disadvantages of the SAP system, we could say that it needs a periodic system update every few years. And this entails an economic cost that may be difficult to assume for some. In addition, with each upgrade there are changes in functions, some disappear, others are added, and it can be confusing.

High Costs

Besides the aforementioned disadvantage in terms of the unexpected or disproportionate costs that the SAP system can generate, it must be taken into account that in order to apply this system it is necessary to acquire the software and hardware to run the programs in the company and, in addition, the cost of hiring employees who are responsible for using this technology.

4. What are the SAP solutions?

SAP offers solutions in a wide range of areas, such as Finance, CRM, Network and Expense Management, Digital Supply, Human Resources, Business Technology, Industry and more.

Below are the features of each of them.

Discover What is SAP Integration Solutions

4.1 ERP and Finance

SAP ERP and Finance

Firstly, Enterprise Resource Planning offers various financial reports. For example, the reports include cash flow projections based on inventory management and order status.

These types of reports also provide the possibility of duplicate entries, as this is done automatically.

SAP FICO is a functional component of SAP ERP. Many large companies use it to generate and manage financial statements. For example, it is useful to create reports, but also for analyzing the decision-making process.


Explore the role of the SAP FICO Consultant

4.2 CRM and customer experience

SAP CRM and Customer experience

Then, a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is a tool that helps companies to understand customer needs and to respond to those needs.

In turn, an SAP CRM system allows companies to optimize workflow and create knowledge sharing. It also improves account management, and all this helps companies to effectively address customer needs.

A CRM (customer relationship management) consultant, otherwise known as a CRM expert, is a specialist in customer relationship management software and the relationships themselves.
Usually, a CRM expert works for an ESN or a BtoB agency. He/she may work in a large group or in small structures and must mainly work with customer service, marketing, and web marketing.

If you what to know more about this expert, read also the entire job description of the CRM Consultant.

On the other hand, the role of e-CRM occupies an important place in the field of customer relations on the web; since it coordinates the implementation of digital campaigns across all of the digital platforms of a company.

Salesforce is a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platform that enables companies to simplify and optimize customer interactions. The Salesforce consultant deals with the IT side of customer relationships and specializes in the Salesforce ecosystem. His role consists of advising companies on implementation strategy and conducting studies to meet all customer needs.

Also discover the role of the Salesforce Consultant

4.3 Network and expense management

SAP Network and expense management

Spending management refers to the practice of managing supplier relationships and company purchases. It helps to identify the money spent and make the most of it. In this sense, SAP leads to greater efficiency by automating the entire process. It also reduces supply costs and risks by keeping track of what is brought in, from whom, and for how much.

4.4 Digital supply chain

SAP Digital supply chain

In addition, the Digital supply is the result of the application of digital technologies. With its end-to-end connectivity, SAP eliminates the use of paper. It also eliminates manual data entry and makes everything reliable and easy.

The IoT is undoubtedly a rapidly expanding sector. Consequently, the role of IoT consultants is growing. They can also help a company in transforming its existing products into connected objects as part of a global innovation process.

Discover the job description of the IoT Consultant

4.5 HR and staff interaction

SAP HR and staff interaction

On the HR side, SAP helps in organizational management and tracks attendance. It also helps to accurately verify payroll and ensure overall HR compliance. Moreover, it improves employees’ feelings and attachment to the company and productivity.

4.6 Experience Management

SAP Experience Management

Moreover, SAP Experience Management helps monitor the interaction of people and the company. In other words, it enhances the experience of interacting with a company to uncover opportunities for improvement. It also reduces the gap between companies and customers.

Jira is a multifunctional platform developed by Atlassian that facilitates the management of development and Agile projects. It is a tracking software that allows teams to define activities, identify blockages and share information.

Also discover the role of the Jira Administrator

4.7 Business Technology Platform

SAP Business Technology Platform

SAP Business Technology Platform has data and database management and analytics, and also intelligent technologies which helps simplify any company’s adaptation to instantaneous market changes.

4.8 Digital Transformation

SAP Digital Transformation

SAP provides leading intelligent applications and technologies such as AI and machine learning. It helps companies and organizations reinvent themselves, and become more customer-focused and profit-driven.

4.9 Small and midsize businesses

Certainly, small and midsize businesses face a number of challenges. These include cash flow management, supply chain operations, and employee engagement. SAP helps these companies understand the latest industry trends. It also helps them reinvent product branding and embrace leadership change.

4.10 Industry solutions

SAP Industry solutions

Finally, SAP also offers more than 25 industry-specific ERP solutions to help companies. With that, organizations get an overview of industry-specific business processes. Some of these industries are aerospace and defense, banking, defense and security, insurance, and high-tech.

To conclude this discussion about what is ERP and the advantages and disadvantages of SAP, it is important to mention S/4HANA. This is because it represents one of the most vibrant areas of enterprise IT. Investing time in developing one’s skills in S/4 can lead to a successful and reliable career. But what is this new iteration of SAP’s ERP all about? 

Looking for an IT recruitment partner?

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Each job posting is managed by a duo of professionals. An account manager who knows the companies, their industry and their challenges. And a talent acquisition specialist who is an expert in a specific technology field.

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Categories
IT Infrastructure Job Descriptions

IT Infrastructure: components, job profiles, and best practices

IT infrastructure, components and professions profiles

In this article, we describe the components of the IT infrastructure, their functions and job profiles.

IT infrastructure consists of hardware, software, and network, i.e. the components necessary to run and manage corporate IT environments.

IT infrastructure can be deployed within a cloud computing system or within the structure of an organization itself.

In addition to hardware, software, and networking, there is the operating system and data storage.

Also, IT infrastructure products may be available as software applications or as online solutions offered by service providers.

Need advice on how to start or develop your freelance consulting business in tech or IT? Need to start a new permanent or freelance assignment? Join Mindquest and get support from our team of experts.

Why IT infrastructure matters

IT infrastructure, components and professions profiles

In the IT infrastructure, the above-mentioned technology components both contribute to and drive business functions.

With the modern rapidly changing pace of technology and the competitive nature of business, IT leaders must ensure that their IT infrastructure is well designed to make changes quickly without impacting business continuity.

Therefore, properly networked, optimizing technology can improve communication, increase efficiency and boost productivity.

That is to say, a flexible, reliable, and secure IT infrastructure can help a company achieve its goals and provide a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Conversely, an improperly implemented IT infrastructure leads to connectivity, productivity and security issues, such as outages and system breaches.

Thus, a properly implemented infrastructure can be a key factor in a company’s profitability.

But, what are the benefits of the IT infrastructure components, their functions and the IT infrastructure job profiles?

Also read our Network/Telecom Engineer and Solution Architect Job description

Benefits of an IT infrastructure

IT infrastructure, components and professions profiles

Above all, a proper implemented IT infrastructure, allows a company to:

  • Provide a positive customer experience by ensuring uninterrupted access to its website.
  • Develop fats solutions on the market.
  • Collect real-time data to make quick decisions.
  • Improve employee productivity.

IT infrastructure job profile: VoIP engineer.

VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) is a technology that allows the transmission of voice over compatible IP networks. For example, it is the technology used by the communication service Skype that enables millions of people to make calls through WhatsApp every day.

Accordingly, the role of a VoIP engineer is to manage the implementation within the organization.

Discover more about the role of a VoIP engineer.

How do the components of the IT infrastructure work?

To start, the components of the IT infrastructure consist of interdependent elements. Hardware and software represent the two main component groups of IT infrastructure. The two are complementary of each other. Hardware uses software, for example, an operating system, to function.

Likewise, an operating system manages hardware and system resources. Operating systems also establish connections between software applications and physical resources, using network components.

To continue, let’s see more in detail what are the components of the IT infrastructure.

Also read our Storage and Backup Engineer and Technical Expert Job description

IT infrastructure components: Hardware

Hardware components include:

  • Desktop computers
  • Servers
  • Data centers
  • Hubs
  • Routers
  • Switches
  • Facilities

Also discover our Penetration Tester and Database Administrator Job description

IT infrastructure components: Software

Software components include:

  • CMS (Content management systems)
  • CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
  • ERP (Enterprise resource planning)
  • Operating systems
  • Web servers

IT infrastructure components: Facilities

Facilities or physical equipment provide the room for servers, data centers, and network hardware. They also include network cabling in offices to connect the various components of an IT infrastructure.

IT infrastructure components: Networks

The interconnection between network components enables network operations, management, and communication between internal and external systems.

The Internet connection, activation tools, firewall, and security, as well as the hardware, i.e. routers, switches, and cables, are essential for the operation of a network.

IT infrastructure job profile: Cisco Network Engineer.

Nearly half of all companies today use Cisco solutions. Cisco Systems, or Cisco, is an American IT company specializing in the manufacture and sale of network equipment (routers, Ethernet switches as well as servers, etc.).

But, what is the role of the Cisco Network Engineer? Read our Cisco Network Engineer job description, to learn about their missions, skills, and salary of these professionals.

How many types of IT infrastructure are there?

Traditional IT infrastructure

Traditional IT infrastructure, components and professions profiles

To start, the components (the data center, data storage, hardware, and servers) of the traditional IT infrastructure, are managed completely in-house.

Moreover, a traditional IT infrastructure consists of the usual hardware and software components: facilities, data centers, network hardware desktop computers, and enterprise application software solutions. Generally, this infrastructure configuration requires more energy, physical space, and budget than other types of infrastructure. Traditional infrastructure is commonly installed on site for exclusive corporate or private use.

IT infrastructure job profile: Linux Systems Engineer.

As large companies are nowadays operating more and more computers with Linux, the function of Linux system engineers is on the rise.
The Linux System Engineer is an essential link within companies that ensures the proper functioning of a Linux network. The engineer also helps coordinate the IT team, optimizes network operations, and ensures communication between the various computer systems.

Discover more about the Linux Systems Engineers skills and expertise.

Cloud IT infrastructure

Cloud IT infrastructure, components and professions profiles

To go on, as the name itself suggests, cloud computing IT infrastructure refers to the components and resources required for cloud computing.

End users can, therefore, access the infrastructure via the internet, with the possibility of using computing resources without on-site installation, through virtualization.

To explain, virtualization links physical servers managed by a service provider in one or more geographical locations. It then classifies and abstracts resources, such as storage, to make them accessible to users virtually anywhere there is an internet connection.

It is also possible to create a private cloud using dedicated resources, or a public cloud by ‘renting’ the cloud infrastructure from a cloud provider.

Since cloud infrastructure is often public, it is usually referred to as a public cloud.

In addition, by integrating portability, orchestration, and workload management across multiple clouds at various levels, it is also possible to create a hybrid cloud.

Hyperconverged IT infrastructure

Hyperconverged IT infrastructure, components and professions profiles

At last, a hyper-converged IT infrastructure enables managing from a single interface computing, networking, and storage resources.

Moreover, software processing together with data storage allows managing the most innovative workloads with scalable architectures on industry-standard hardware.

IT infrastructure job profile: SRE Engineer.

As more organizations are embracing cloud computing and the demand for digital services increases, site reliability engineering (SRE) practices have become imperative. These practices help organizations meet service level agreements (SLAs) for availability, performance, user experience, and business KPIs

Discover more about the Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) functions.

IT infrastructure components and job profiles: best practices

IT infrastructure, components and professions profiles

After having discussed about IT infrastructure components, their functions and some of the IT infrastructure job profiles, it is time to talk about best practices.

To clarify, for good and effective IT infrastructure management, it is essential to follow some basic best practices. That is to say, these practices ensure a comprehensive view of all aspects to consider for the successful management of the IT infrastructure.

  • Gathering knowledge
  • Creating standards built on that knowledge
  • Implementing standards with consistency
  • Maintaining consistency during change management
  • Documenting heavily

Gathering knowledge

First of all, relevance and authority are the two keywords to keep in mind when gathering knowledge. Too little information can lead to missing critical configurations, while too much information can cripple you, balance is the answer.

At this stage, it is crucial to choose where to focus with the organization’s needs in mind. Therefore, the more relevant the better, so as not to waste time with useless and endless documents. And to make sure you gather the right information, check the sources.

Also read our Cybersecurity Expert job description

Creating standards built on that knowledge

Once you define the organization’s needs and gather all the information you need to implement configurations, make them standards. But never forget to update these standards as the organization evolves over the years. Examples of this best practice are increasing security standards, keep clarifying the configurations, upgrading older commands, etc.

IT infrastructure job profile: SOC Analyst.

The role of the SOC (Security Operation Centre) analyst is to monitor a company’s computer systems. He or she must detect all suspicious and malicious activities on computer networks, whether they come from inside or outside.

SOC Analyst: the job

Implementing standards with consistency

Certainly, having clean and consistent configurations is extremely important for an engineer. With systems such as the Cisco CLI, for example, it can take some time to understand the intentions of the code. Thus, the labeling of things, the use of observations when necessary, and the use of descriptions with relevant information facilitate the work of technicians during problem-solving. By switching from one device to another and all having the same descriptions and the same names, one feels more natural and things make sense.

Maintaining consistency during change management

Change management processes can sometimes seem overwhelming to IT staff, but they can be very useful when used for peer review of the proposed configuration, implementation on applicable devices, and updating documentation to ensure that the work is done from top to bottom.

Therefore, maintaining consistency in changing times is key to facilitating the transaction and ensuring that the work is done without the loss of essential organizational information.

You can also read : Programming VS Web development : What’s the difference?

Documenting heavily

It is somehow common that documentation is an aspect in which internal IT departments are usually somewhat deficient. Even if it feels like you are writing the documentation all for yourself, as no one will ever read it, your documentation is actually your business card. Though, it is important that it is clear and easy to understand.

To sum up, the purpose of the IT infrastructure is to make business possible and this is best done with components that are configured, managed, and maintained cleanly and consistently, following best practices honed with experience and documented clearly and comprehensively.

IT infrastructure job profile: RPA Consultant.

A rapidly expanding technology, RPA (Robotic Process Automation) promotes increased productivity through the automation of business processes. The key: eliminating tedious tasks, streamlining operations, and reducing costs.

In this job descriptions, you will discover the RPA Consultant and the Robotics Engineer missions, salary, and skills. A highly sought-after profile in today’s working world, especially in digital service companies.

Would you like to find out more about our recruitment service for IT consultants? Post your requirements now, or find out more about our job offers directly on our Mindquest platform!

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About us

Club-Freelance became Mindquest: the reason behind this choice

Club-Freelance became Mindquest
Club-Freelance became Mindquest

On May 16, Club-Freelance officially became Mindquest. In this article we tell you the reason behind this choice.

What prompted Club-Freelance to become Mindquest? Read the article to discover its values, mission and ambitions.

Club-Freelance became Mindquest

Club-Freelance: the heart of Mindquest

Club-Freelance: the heart of Mindquest

In 2014, Thomas Delfort, former CIO of large multinational companies, and Manuela Garampon, an expert in recruiting IT profiles, teamed up to create Club Freelance.

Manuela and Thomas’ goal was to help companies cover all their technology staffing needs through comprehensive freelance recruiting services.

Thomas Delfort Mindquest CEO Manuela Garampon Mindquest COO

Since then, Club-Freelance has grown rapidly.

During 2017, they opened a Sourcing Hub in Spain, bringing the number of its locations to three: London, Paris and Barcelona.

From the Barcelona office a sourcing team specialized in IT careers and offerings helps clients and consultants to meet and exceed their IT goals.

Club-freelance became Mindquest: the answer to the ever-changing IT and technology world

Mindquest: the answer to the ever-changing IT and technology world

Technology is reshaping not only the way we live and communicate with each other, but also the way we work. Therefore, the skills and resources that IT professionals need to succeed in their careers and those that companies need to succeed in their IT projects are constantly evolving.

In addition, the ways in which companies and teams operate are changing dramatically. And this is just the beginning.

The classic relationships between employees and employers are being radically redrawn. The boundaries between permanent and freelance work are blurring. The talent gap in the tech sector continues to widen, and job seekers and companies have different needs.

As a result, today’s IT professionals are concerned about how best to manage and build a successful career in an ever-changing environment where skills must be constantly updated to remain relevant.

Mindquest: the answer to the ever-changing IT and technology world.

For companies and IT managers, it’s about figuring out how to adapt and keep up with this changing landscape while maintaining agility, competitiveness, and a cohesive approach to talent and operations.

Being flexible, keen to learn and adaptable became then the key to success. The technological  IT recruitments must also keep pace with innovation and new horizons.

Therefore, in 2021 Club-Freelance launched Mindquest: the answer to the ever-changing IT and technology world.

Mindquest: a globally integrated talent solutions company with a digital edge

Mindquest: a globally integrated talent solutions company with a digital edge

Drawing on the experience and expertise of Club- Freelance, Mindquest adapts to a borderless IT & Tech world.

With Mindquest, in fact, the company expands its offerings. No longer just a freelance recruitment service in the IT industry, its expertise now includes permanent recruitment and expands support for clients across borders.

But, how to reconcile the two positions and help the global IT industry reach its full potential?

Mindquest likes to think of it as a lifelong journey for both professionals and companies. It is a quest that requires all parties to be in constant motion. To get out of their comfort zone, to make a few mistakes, and to learn to keep moving forward.

Mindquest: value and mission

Mindquest: value and mission

Mindquest offers companies and candidates in the IT sector integral, high-quality recruitment services, combining the speed and convenience of the latest digital tools with a human touch. 

That is to say, the company matches an innovative digital platform for IT jobs. This with a dynamic team of recruitment experts who are highly skilled in the IT industry.

More specifically, Mindquest’s unique model is based on approaching each position through a professional duo consisting of an experienced business key account manager and a talent sourcer specializing in the technology stack of the offering.

Mindquest's model
Mindquest’s model

This ensures an agile and deeply experienced-driven hiring process. Moreover, both the company and the candidate receive close, personalized treatment. They deal with a single point of contact as they are assisted at every stage of the process, from onboarding and job search to offboarding.

The company’s mission is to help companies secure the right IT professionals for their technology projects and support IT experts in finding the best career opportunities.

Find more about Mindquest recruitment and career services here.

Mindquest’s ambition

Mindquest’s ambition

With offices in London, Paris and Barcelona, Mindquest builds on its previous experience revolutionizing the IT freelancer industry as Club Freelance to help businesses and tech experts across the world be successful and make the global IT industry thrive.

In conclusion, Club-Freelance became Mindquest to bridge the gap between Europe’s most brilliant minds and innovative brands.

Need advice on how to start or develop your freelance consulting business in tech or IT? Need to start a new permanent or freelance assignment? Join Mindquest and get support from our team of experts.

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Job Descriptions Web Developer

Web Development, programming skills and professions

Web Development Stack
Web Development Stack

As the term itself suggests, Web Development is about building (developing) the application from scratch for the web. It is therefore about websites, web pages or anything else that runs on the Internet.

So, delving a little deeper into IT & Tech terminology, web development refers to the development of programming source code, the creation and organization of databases and markup languages, network protocols, web servers and computer security.

To start with, we will take a look at how to create a website and when it is necessary and recommended to contact a web developer. Furthermore, we will talk about the different specializations of web development.

1. How to create a website

Wed development - how to create a website

Today, creating a website is not as difficult as it used to be. It is not necessary to have a technical or computer background. To create a dynamic website, it is sufficient to be able to install a CMS (Content Management System) software such as WordPress or Joomla on a hosting space and that’s it.

Consequently, anyone can put a simple website online themselves and manage it easily with a publication control panel.

Although CMS software is a perfect solution for creating a blog or a small web magazine, CMSs are not suitable for the development of more complex websites.

If the website is the front-end interface of other corporate information systems, it still requires design (web engineering) and programming (web development) skills.

According to the company’s needs, computer language professionals work on all the website’s functionalities. They then propose tailor-made solutions to fulfil their mission in the company.

Also explore the role of Web developer and Robotics Engineer

1.1 How a website works

A website is a set of hypertext documents and multimedia elements (images, videos, etc.) organized in web pages. In other words, the webmaster uploads the document files onto the web space of a server computer (host) connected to the Internet 24 hours a day.

Today, web developers are increasingly in demand. Indeed, the rapid developments in the IT sector and the digital transformation that all companies must manage have led to a strong demand for new programs, websites and applications. No company can do without a web presence, so it will need an IT professional who can structure and manage it in an appropriate and up-to-date form.

When users (client) connect to the host’s address via their browser, the server sends them the requested hypertext document. In this way, users can navigate between documents on remote computers, even on the other side of the world.

Also discover the role of a Web Designer

2. Difference between Internet and Web

Although people use them as synonyms, internet and web are not the same thing. The Internet was born about twenty years before the web. The Internet (network of networks) is the technological infrastructure, while the web (World Wide Web, better known as WWW) is a protocol.

2.1 From web 1.0 to web 2.0

Over the last twenty years, web development has evolved from the first generation to the second ( web 2.0 ). Web 2.0 is the era of social media, social networks and CMSs.

2.2 What is web 3.0?

In the coming years it will further evolve to the third generation ( web 3.0 ) with the spread of intelligent websites with artificial intelligence. It is a technological revolution that has already begun. Just think of chatbots, online virtual assistants and the recent improvements in the use of the Internet.

Another evolving trend is RPA (Robotic Process Automation) that promotes productivity gains through the automation of business processes.

Also explore the role of RPA Consultant, highly sought-after profile in today’s business world, particularly in digital services companies.

2.3 Responsive and mobile websites

Web development is no longer just about the PC platform, but multiplatform, because users access the web with different devices, including mobile (e.g. tablets, smartphones, consoles).
Therefore, it is necessary to develop a responsive website that automatically adapts the layout to the device used by the user.

As mobile technology is growing exponentially, so are IT professions related to app development. The role of the Android Developer is to develop applications for all devices that run on this mobile operating system.

Also explore the skills needed to position yourself for the booming job role of Android Developer.

3 Frontend & Backend Web Development

In addition, let’s delve a little deeper into the web development field and see how different IT specialized professionals work to develop a website for the internet.

There are two classifications for the Web Development:

  • Frontend Development
  • Backend Development

Frontend Development refers to the part of a website that the user interacts directly. For this reason developers call it the ‘client side’ of the application.

Backend Development is the server side of a website (the part of the website that users cannot see and interact). The portion of software that does not come in direct contact with the users and where developers store and arrange data.

Also read our article about Mobile Application Security Development Cheat Sheet

3.1 Who is the Front End Developer

Web development frontend

The front end developer is the IT professional figure who is responsible for creating the graphical interface of a website or web portal, inserting the elements in the page, styling them (colours / fonts) and animating them.

Furthermore, in the modern web, the front end developer is also responsible for:

  • interacting with the back-end (to which it sends and from which it receives information to be displayed within the web page);
  • developing the logic of what happens in the interface.

What follow is a roadmap with a brief description of the languages and tools involved in the development of the front end.

  • HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. It is used to design the front end of web pages using markup language. It acts as a skeleton for a website, as it is used to make the structure of a website.
  • CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) affectionately called CSS, is a language designed simply to simplify the process of making web pages presentable. It is used to style our website.
  • JavaScript is a scripting language used to provide dynamic behaviour to our website.
  • Bootstrap is a collection of free and open-source tools for creating responsive websites and web applications. It is the most popular CSS framework for developing responsive and mobile-first websites. Nowadays, websites are perfect for all browsers (IE, Firefox and Chrome) and all screen sizes (Desktops, Tablets, Phablets and Phones).

With the appearance of new frameworks, the professions around web development are more and more specific and a large number of professionals specialize in a particular technology. Among the different possible specializations is the front-end developer AngularJS.

Also, learn more about AngularJS Developer skills

3.2 Who is the Back End Developer

Web development backend

On the other hand, the back end developer deals with the structure of a website or web application. Back-end developers take also care of the functioning of the site and the management of the data they need to process.

Therefore it is important is to know the basic functioning of most languages and to choose one according to its particularities. Rather than talking about languages, let’s talk about the tools that developers use to implement the functionalities of a site.

As before, here is a roadmap of the back-end development tools.

  • PHP is a server-side scripting language designed specifically for web development.
  • Java is one of the most popular and widely used programming language. It is highly scalable.
  • Python is a programming language that lets you work quickly and integrate systems more efficiently.
  • Node.js is an open source and cross-platform runtime environment for executing JavaScript code outside a browser.
  • Back End Frameworks are: Express, Django, Rails, Laravel, Spring, etc

C is a general-purpose language from the 70s, and it is still in use in systems programming and robotics. C++ was born in the 1980s. It is the language of choice for those looking for performance, as it can execute complex code very fast. It is used for the design of mobile applications, the programming of operating systems or video games. Moreover, in the creation of certain military programs.

Want to know more about the role of C/C++ Developer?

3.3 Back-End programmer skills

Web development back-end programmer skills

Also read our Back-End Developer detailed job description

The skills of the backend programmer are:

  • Back-end languages (PHP, Python, Java, C#, .Net etc.);
  • Databases, where developers store the data they need to manage. The types of database is versatile and adapt to the needs of the system;
  • Server, it is important for a backend developer to be able to take care of the online appearance of the site and its maintenance.

There are many specialties and languages in the field of web development, including Swift, Node.js, React.js or Ruby.
Ruby is a free object-oriented and multi-paradigm programming language that is easy to understand and pleasant to use.

Also discover the role of the Ruby developer.

4. What the Full Stack Developer does

web development full stack

What characterizes the full stack developer is the ability to develop both the front end and the back end of a website. Therefore, the knowledge of the full stack developer includes everything that characterizes the two types of developers we have seen above.

An IT professional capable of dealing with the structure of web pages, their styling, animations, creating data structures, designing databases and implementing site functionality. Full Stack developers are familiar with all languages: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Python, etc.

Despite this vast knowledge, it is very difficult for such professionals to develop a website completely on their own. In fact, their task is mainly to collaborate with front and back end developers and support them in the realization of particular functionalities.

5. Programming languages for creating a website

As we have seen in the different specializations of web development, a programming language is a computer language used by programmers to communicate with computers. It is therefore a set of instructions written in a specific language to perform a specific task.

In conclusion, this is a list of the most widely programming languages used by the industries :

  • HTML language
  • PHP language
  • ASP language
  • Javascript language
  • Java language
  • Python language
  • CSS style sheets
  • C language
  • C++ language
  • C# language
  • R language
  • Go language
  • Ruby language
  • Swift

The IT professional that translate a graphic language into a computer language is the HTML integrator. By assembling the different elements of a website, the HTML integrator makes sure that they are aligned with the desired aesthetic and maintain a practical design.

Also delve deeper into the role of the HTML integrator

Some languages are gaining importance with the evolution of the semantic web, including: Open Graph Markup. Very useful to explain the content’s context of a page and gain control of the snippets.

6. Web Development and Cybersecurity Best Practices

IT professionals involved in Web Development need to have a good understanding of the importance of digital hygiene and web safety. In order to avoid common website security attacks, it is crucial to follow the highest cybersecurity standards across the development cycle.

Some cybersecurity good practices to put in place are as follows:

  • Ensure that the development team has attended cybersecurity training.
  • Set up a web application firewall (WAF).
  • Use parameterized statements in SQL tests.
  • Keep all security platforms and applications up to date.
  • Partition user data away from API file systems.

These good cybersecurity practices will help reduce human error (which contributes to an estimated 85% of data breaches). They will also increase the quality of applications.

Making cybersecurity a priority throughout every development cycle is therefore necessary to to battle the flood of digital attacks that threaten the modern web.

Find your next web developer job
Categories
Job Descriptions Project Manager

Scrum Master: Job Description

scrum master job description
scrum master job description

Use our template to create a compelling and comprehensive Scrum Master job description to attract top talent.

The term Scrum comes from rugby. The job of Scrum Master is similar to the position of scrum half. The Scrum Master is responsible for pushing the others in the right direction by promoting team unity and communicating with the outside world, especially management. The Scrum Master therefore acts as a guide to help and facilitate the work of the team, with a view to improvement and adaptation.

Scrum Master: the job

Implementation of the Scrum method

The Scrum Master is responsible for ensuring that the Scrum method is implemented correctly throughout his assignment with a client. Scrum is an agile method dedicated to project management which allows to improve the productivity of a team. It corresponds to an organisation in which a team focuses on customer feedback with regard to 3 pillars. Transparency, control and adaptation.

Training of the team

One of the roles of the Scrum Master is to ensure that the Scrum method is applied by his team throughout the mission. To do this, he is in charge of transmitting the essential principles of the method. He also ensures that communication, productivity, and the transmission of information to the people concerned are easy within his team.

Analysis of obstacles and problem management

He is also responsible for analysing any obstacles that could divert the team from the objectives to be achieved or slow them down in their work. He must also identify and provide solutions to the various problems that may arise during the mission.

Drafting of progress reports

Writing progress reports such as burndown charts or burnups and communicating with the customer or management are also part of a Scrum master’s job.

Scrum Master: skills required

Mastery of the Method

The mastery of the Scrum agile method is of course the main skill to have. He must be able to ensure its good practice during his mission.

Humility and empathy

He must see himself as an equal to the members of his team. Because, he has no hierarchical responsibility over the team members. He should be able to guide the team members but not impose himself. Everyone must be able to participate in the decisions.

Pedagogy and communication skills

In order to facilitate the work of all the members of his team during the mission, the scrum master must develop a good sense of communication and demonstrate pedagogy. In fact, in order to ensure that the mission is carried out correctly, he must be able to communicate, listen and motivate each member of the team.

Technical knowledge

For a Scrum Master, perfect knowledge of the application domain or technical expertise are not necessary skills. However, having knowledge of one and/or the other will make his role easier to fulfil. Indeed, he will be able to dialogue more easily with the technical team.

Also discover the other Project Managements roles and career paths

Context

A typical Scrum team is usually composed of 6 to 10 people. But only the Scrum Master is responsible for the application of the Scrum method. He is an integral part of the team and can occasionally participate in the work, such as the content of the sprints, with the rest of the members of his team. However, his or her involvement should be limited, as coordination, internal communication, analysis and problem solving is a role that the Scrum Master must perform full time.

Digital service companies and web agencies that handle projects for clients using agile methods are the main employers of Scrum Masters.

Salary

The average daily rate of a Scrum Master is 410 € – 620 € depending on the experience and the company in which the Scrum Master’s mission takes place.

He can also progress to positions such as Product Owner or Project Manager.

Training and education

This profession requires above all the mastery of Scrum on a theoretical and practical level. To do this, this professional generally follows an in-depth and structured training course on Scrum which ideally leads to a Scrum master certification.

Good technical knowledge will enable him to integrate and interact with his team members. It is therefore interesting for a Scrum Master to have a background in IT / Computer Science.

Here you can discover : Professional Scrum Master™ Certifications

Find a Scrum Master mission

Also discover our job descriptions: VoIP Engineer and IT Vendor Manager

Categories
Hiring an IT consultant IT Decision-makers

How to manage the onboarding of IT contractors in 5 steps

manage the onboarding of IT contractors
manage the onboarding of IT contractors (2)

Onboarding is the set of actions implemented by the company to integrate its new employees. It corresponds to welcoming and integrating new recruited professionals, as well as investing in their internal career development. We often talk about onboarding for employees, but still little for external resources, such as IT freelancers. And yet, they are often called upon for strategic, long and customer-based assignments. It is important to manage onboarding well, cause a good onboarding system is therefore crucial for the success of their mission! It is therefore important for managing a freelancer to pay particular attention to onboarding.

But how do you properly manage the onboarding of an IT freelancer to get the mission of your tech or IT freelancer off to the best possible start? How to manage onboarding at the beginning of a consultant’s mission?

Discover in our article what are the best practices for managing the onboarding of an IT freelancer.

Why caring about onboarding?

Why take care of the onboarding of IT freelancers? Onboarding management is crucial at the start of a freelancer’s mission. Indeed, setting up a clear internal process can be very beneficial to gain in efficiency and optimize the simultaneous reception of several profiles. As a company, it is essential to establish a clear process for the onboarding of IT freelancers who come to carry out assignments within your company. Because if you have a clear and effective onboarding process, the freelancer will have all the elements in hand to be operational as quickly as possible and start his freelance mission well.

The onboarding of a consultant makes it possible to create a link with the IT freelancer and to lay the foundations for good communication. In addition, the onboarding period makes it possible to ensure that objectives are set and follow-up with the IT freelancer. Finally, the onboarding process will have the effect of involving and retaining the freelancer from the start.

Discover also our article: How to Manage the Offboarding of IT Contractors in 7 Steps !

How to properly manage the onboarding of an IT freelancer?

1. Upstream of the mission

Have you just recruited an IT freelancer? First, to properly manage onboarding, remember to check that the freelancer you have chosen is registered with the Business Formalities Center (CFE) (remember to ask them for a K-bis extract). You must also carry out the control of the obligations of declaration and payment of the social security contributions of the freelancer. Ask for a certificate of vigilance for this. Once these two elements have been verified, you can draft and have the freelancer sign the service contract (or subcontracting if you go through an intermediary). If necessary, you can also provide specific additional contracts such as a confidentiality agreement. Remember at this time to check that the freelancer has the necessary insurance, such as professional liability insurance (RC Pro) which is often essential. Finally define the terms of payment and provide timesheets if necessary.

2. Just before the start of the mission

Just before the start of the mission, it is important to warn all the teams of the arrival of the freelancer. Make sure you explain the scope of the IT professional mission to them. Also make sure to prepare before the arrival of the freelancer the material that will be made available to the new professional in the event that he/she will use the company’s resources. Also ask that their computer access be created prior to their arrival.

It is also a good idea to plan a phone call with the freelancer before the start of their assignment or to send them a comprehensive email with all the useful information for the first day. In fact, if the freelancer comes to work on your premises, it is important to give him/her a certain amount of information such as working hours, what equipment is required or made available. But also what the access or security constraints are, in which department they will be installed and which teams they will have to interact with. Communicating all these elements to the freelancer before he/she arrives will allow a more serenely at start at your company.

3. Ensure the onboarding of the freelancer on the first day of the mission

On the first day of the mission, it is important to give the freelancer a program for his or her first week. You should also give him/her all the materials he/she will need (computer, access badge, etc.). Plan a briefing with the freelancer on company culture, rules, team organization… Also give the freelancer all the technical documentation he needs for his mission from day one. Finally, introduce the freelancer to the whole team. This is necessary to get the consultant’s mission off to a good start.

4. The days following the first day of freelancing

The days following the first day of the start of the freelance mission, organize an individual interview with him/her to set the objectives. Also remember to organize contacts with the key interlocutors for its mission. Throughout the onboarding period, encourage the freelancer to ask as many questions as possible. To improve contact you can also plan a lunch with the freelancer if possible.

5. And after the onboarding of the freelancer?

At the end of the freelance onboarding period, start taking stock. In some cases, especially if the project is still at the ideation stage, a few days of audit may be necessary to allow the consultant to better understand all the parameters and then participate in the scoping. Then set up at this time the framework for monitoring the mission (reporting, weekly, monthly meetings, etc.). Remember to ask the freelancer for his/her feedback about the onboarding to make sure he or she has all the keys in hand. But also to improve this process with a view to integrating future freelancers.

You can also read 5 Simple Steps to Effective IT Offboarding

The expert opinion of Thomas Delfort, former DSI and co-founder of Mindquest:


“As for a recruitment of a CDI type profile, the onboarding process of an independent consultant within a tech or IT team is extremely important. A well-executed welcome will allow a quick and efficient handling of the subjects. The goal is for the freelancer to be operational as quickly as possible, and to be in optimal conditions to be efficient in his mission.”

Do you know that the offboarding of an IT consultant is just as important as their onboarding? Indeed, companies are generally concerned with taking care of the onboarding of their employees, but sometimes neglect the last step. The stage where the employee leaves the company for new professional opportunities. Find out why it is important to take care of the offboarding of your IT consultant. But also how to properly manage the offboarding of an IT consultant in 7 steps.

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Categories
Job Descriptions Web Developer

Web developer: Job Description

Web developer: Job Description
Web developer: Job Description

Use our template to create a compelling and comprehensive Web developer job description to attract top talent.

Professionals in computer languages, the web developers work on all the functionalities of a website. From a set of specifications, they analyze the different needs of the company in which they carries out their mission. They then propose a tailor-made solution. Discover in our job description below their missions, skills, training and salary.

Web developer: the job

The Web developers intervenes on the technical functionalities of the site of the company in which they carries out their mission. The sectors of activity in which it operates can be very varied: transport, insurance, trade, etc.
In the company, they are functionally attached to the technical project manager.

Discover 11 Reasons Why you should to become a WebDeveloper

Technical analysis

When starting a mission in a new company, the first task of the web developers is to fully understand the needs and specifications of their client. It first lists the features requested in the specifications; then lists the existing solutions and checks for each feature whether or not it exists in the listed solutions. This initial work allows them to provide their opinion to the client on the most relevant technical solution to be implemented. They can then choose to completely build the site or decide to use an already existing solution. Such as Framework or CMS (Content Management System).

Website design

After the technical analysis, the web developer must design the website while respecting the specifications. The visual and technical architecture as well as the database of the site are determined during this stage.

Website programming

During the programming phase, they respect good practices and chooses the language used in the case where the site is fully developed. If it is built from an already existing solution, They make changes and adaptations to the solution that has been retained.

Testing and validation

After programming, the developers enter a testing and validation phase. They will be in charge of testing each functionality of the site as well as their good functionality between them. They will then have to validate all the expected functionalities and conduct validation tests.

Technical support and technology watch

The last step of the mission consists in following the evolution of the site created over time. It will be necessary to correct any problems and troubleshoot users. In addition, technologies are changing rapidly. It will be necessary to ensure the sustainability of the solutions implemented on the site; and, why not make them evolve with new programming languages, if necessary.

Web developer : skills required

Mastery of languages used for web development

To exercise this profession, it is essential to master the programming languages PHP, Ruby on Rails, Node.js, SQL, Java, ASP… You must also know how to use CMS and Framework tools, but also code editing tools.

Capacity for continuous self-training

The Internet and programming languages are changing rapidly. A good web developer must therefore be able to self-train on new programming concepts; on developments or new languages; and also on developments or new technical solutions (CMS and framework).

Autonomy

For some missions the web developers work alone. They must therefore be able to exercise they profession independently.

Creativity

The web developer must be creative when designing a website.

Salary

The job of web developer has a bright future. Indeed, since its invention, the internet continues to evolve. Pushing the limits of creativity and development capabilities. Many companies do not have the skills or the personnel necessary to guarantee their effective presence on the Internet. They are therefore looking for web developer profiles.

After having worked on various projects, this professional can progress to the function of technical director and supervise several web developers. They can also move towards functions such as web technical project manager; IT Project Manager; webmaster; web architect; architect S.I.

Their average daily rate depends on several parameters such as their experience and specialty. It is between 350€ and 450€ per day.

Training and education of the Web developer

The best is to enter a training course delivering a bac +5 level diploma (specialized masters, engineering schools, masters in computer science, etc.). However, companies recruit web developers with varying levels of education.

Following a school education allows you to understand the structure of computer languages. But the future web developer will have to stay on constant watch to stay up to date.

Discover all the web development programming skills and professions

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Also discover our job descriptions: SEO Expert and Web Designer

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IT Consultants Tips for your daily life as a freelancer

10 good resolutions for freelancers in 2024

resolutions for freelancers

2024 has already started, and it’s time to take new resolutions to start the year off right. Have you already made your freelancers resolutions for the new year 2024?

If you haven’t already, don’t panic! We offer you 10 good resolutions for freelancers to increase your productivity in 2024. Because productive days are a first step towards the success and development of your activity as an independent consultant.

1. Train yourself to stay competitive and productive

The tools, techniques, software and needs of your customers are constantly evolving. In addition, every day, new productivity tools are emerging: CRM, planning management applications, databases, corporate social networks … The start of the year is therefore the ideal opportunity to start investing in your training. To stay competitive and stay ahead of your freelance competitors, but also to work better on a daily basis, invest in your training! As a freelance, training ultimately means investing in the most valuable resource in your business: yourself! To do this, there are free and certifying courses, online or at university, workshops, webinars, online moocs or offered by organizations or major schools …

2. Resolutions for freelancers: declutter your workspace

The change of year is the perfect time to clean up! Now is the time to free your workspace from all the clutter. Sort and file invoices, letters and other papers from the past year. Also remove anything that is unnecessary on your desk or that may distract you: figurines, keys, books, smartphones … Also sort your emails and digital files on your computer to see more clearly. Then make sure to keep your workspace clean, tidy and organized to have a clear mind and boost your productivity.

3. Anticipate your peaks of activity

In this new year, choose to plan ahead. In 2023, what were the periods of strong activity? Analyze your previous year to prepare in advance and anticipate the highlights of your business. The more prepared you are, and the more you anticipate, the more productive you will be! Also consider hiring other freelancers to help you out in these tense times. For example, you can delegate your tasks with low added value. In 2024, consider outsourcing the assignments that take your time, you will easily find other freelancers ready to take on these assignments for you. This resolution will undoubtedly increase your productivity!

4. Take breaks

Whatever your freelance activity and your workload, you need to take care of yourself: physically, mentally and emotionally. This is important for having a fulfilling and productive freelance life. Sedentary lifestyle at work by sitting at your desk every day can lead to many health problems, as well as reduced motivation. In 2024, you need to somehow add exercise to your daily routine. For example, you can go out every two hours to get some fresh air, walk, do some stretching exercises, and relax. You will find that by the time you get back to your desk, you will be more productive!

5. Resolutions for freelancers: work on your adaptability

With the health crisis, we have all learned more or less about adaptation. As a freelancer, your adaptability has been greatly strained, for example you may work at home one day and the next day be required to work in your client’s offices. Faced with this constantly changing environment, you need to be flexible and adaptable more than ever. In addition, your activity as a self-employed person requires a lot of flexibility. Particularly because you are required to practice in sometimes diametrically opposed worlds, which require a strong capacity for adaptation in order to meet the needs of your clients.

But how do you work on your ability to adapt? First, learn to step out of your comfort zone. Dare to respond to missions that go beyond your usual field. By going on new paths you will be able to evolve and grow your business more easily. Plus, remember, it’s never too late to improve your adaptability.

6. Set goals for the year

To get the year off to a good start, you need to think about what goals you want to set and achieve in 2024. Among the resolutions for freelancers, start to ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is it a certain number of missions to be carried out?
  • A certain number of clients to prospect?
  • A turnover to achieve?

Having personal goals will allow you to track your progress throughout the year. They should be seen as stages to be crossed in order to reach your final objective: the success of your activity.

To define a realistic action plan, use the SMART method (Simple, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time).

Starting 2024 with clear and precise goals will give you a long-term vision. It is also a good source of motivation to boost yourself in times of blur or low motivation.

7. Check your emails and social networks less and better

As a freelancer, you have no boss and are free to organize your working days as you wish. But it also means that no one is there to control your productivity during working hours. However, we all know that distractions can quickly mar the day. By distractions we mean social networks and emails.

Although this is your work mailbox, stop checking it every 5 minutes. The same goes for your social media accounts, even if they are your work social networks.

Among the good resolutions of freelancers, choose to schedule a time during the day to check your social networks and emails. For example, choose a time slot in the morning before you start your work day, a time slot at noon after your lunch, and one in the evening before shutting down your computer.

8. Take care of your online reputation and develop your network

When you’re a freelancer, it’s almost impossible not to have an online presence. This is all the more important in these times of pandemic when all conventions and meeting places are closed. To increase your bottom line, you need to convince other customers to trust you. The best way to do this is to take care of your online reputation. Be sure to showcase an authentic image that looks like you. Develop your profile on LinkedIn, and ensure a quality presence on social networks by posting your own articles relevant to your activity which will highlight your skills. Also refine your presence on freelance recruitment platforms like Mindquest.io, with a fully completed profile, if you find it necessary, you can also create your website. Finally, for a perfect e-reputation, take care of your current customers! There is no better ambassador than a satisfied customer.

Discover in our following article: How to Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile as an IT Consultant

In addition to taking care of your e-reputation, maintain your network! Because that’s one of the most important things about being a freelancer. It is with word of mouth and your ability to bond with others that you will be able to land new assignments. You can join different groups on social media to interact with other freelancers and there are many events online that will allow you to meet new people.

To learn more about it, we recommend you to read our article: 6 Simple Steps to Improve Online Visibility as an IT Professional

9. Resolutions for freelancers: choose the missions that interest you

One of the main advantages of being self-employed is being able to choose your projects and missions. So why work on missions you don’t like?

For this New Year, only take on missions that are truly valuable to you. The more you like what you do, the more you will want to invest in it and the more productive you will be.

On the other hand, if you’re used to working with clients who always ask for more (without paying more), who don’t showcase your skills and stress you out, it’s time to change them. It is important that you find customers whose values are close to yours.

10. Learn to invest

Sometimes you have to spend some money to make more money! It may seem paradoxical, but have you ever counted the time lost on tasks that you do not master, such as web writing, community management, accounting, graphics, administrative management…? In some cases, calling on another more competent service provider and delegating the mission to them leaves you more time to devote to your customers or to the search for prospects.

Investing in your equipment is also part of the good resolutions of freelancers. If your hardware is failing and slowing you down, invest in better performing hardware. Sure, it’s a cost, but it will save you productivity in the short term. And more productivity means more profits.

In conclusion, stick to all the resolutions for freelancers we have put forward to you to ensure a much more productive year 2024!