Thus far, many analysts of the Academic Skills Cloud find only the inherent advantages associated with implementation of the software. Professors can more easily demonstrate the current technology skills and the application of these skills to decision-making. Additionally, group and long-distance learning programs are much easier to conduct, serving to enhance learning experiences for students. Students now have access to IT curricula and courses from almost any location with the Academic Skills Cloud. The incorporation of the software onto campuses across the nation will undoubtedly free-up existing university technology infrastructure resources. However, I find the most important benefit the program lends students is the ability to stand out from the thousands of graduates across the nation each year when applying for jobs through acquisition of essential IT skills so many now lack as businesses become much more technology oriented in their approaches (1).
IBM seems to assure that the integration of the Academic Skills Cloud will lead, quite directly, to the transformation of the typical and ordinary college graduate of today into the tech-savvy and differentiable global entrepreneur of tomorrow. Such a transformation is extremely important as more businesses and firms are voicing their desire for employees possessing an ability to apply technical skills to any part of their organization. Jim Corgel, the general manager of IBM’s Academic Initiative, professes that, "Businesses today are looking to the technology industry and academia to produce a highly skilled workforce that can help drive transformational projects and solve industry-specific problems (3)." Seemingly, IBM’s Academic Skills Cloud is intended to produce the workforce which Corgel describes through an upper level education which employs technology to such categories as “information management and business analytics, digitized patient records, and clean technologies (1).”
I find it extremely sensible for IBM to not only offer part of its extensive software portfolio to academia to more easily allow the incorporation of technology into curricula, but to do so for no charge. With the goal of the Academic Skills Cloud remaining as the production of a workforce possessing the ability to apply technical skills across a firm, IBM is taking proactive steps to increase their own competitive advantage and to establish a strong foundation in their industry. The implementation of the Academic Skills Cloud will ultimately produce a more knowledgeable workforce, a workforce aware of the extreme importance firms are now placing on the incorporation of technology into everyday operations. The individuals entering into this workforce will be many of the same individuals seeking a job position with IBM in the future. Thus, a program such as the Academic Skills Cloud will limit the amount of time needed for IBM to train incoming employees, as many will already own the skills IBM seeks to establish. Reducing training time cuts overall costs for the firm whilst simultaneously granting more time for research and development.
References
(1) Tetpon, Sean A. "IBM Launches Academic Cloud to Speed Delivery of Technology Skills to College Students." CNNMoney.com. 10 Feb. 2010. Web. 11 Feb. 2010.
(2) "Cloud Computing." IBM Academic Initiative. IBM. Web. 11 Feb. 2010.
(3) Barrett, Larry. "IBM Launches Academic Cloud." InternetNews.com. 10 Feb. 2010. Web. 11 Feb. 2010.
I think it is very important to introduce students (potential employees) to the workings of the technology systems early on in their academic careers. The more time one has with the technology, the more comfortable and knowledgeable he or she will become. I agree with Ellen when she says that by being given the opportunity to gain IT knowledge, students are provided with an advantage when entering into the work fore. With the competitive markets that have formed, every extra skill and knowledge puts you above the others. Academic Skills Cloud sounds like a great opportunity for students to learn more about the technology that they encounter on a daily basis. We are living in a world that has made almost everything connected to technology. If, as students, we are not taught the basics and different aspects behind IT, we will not be able to survive in the technology-savvy world that we live in.
ReplyDeleteI think you bring up a great point about training costs. Sometimes it can take up to a week (or more) to train employees for a specific position, and training is an ongoing process no matter what industry you are in. If they at the very least cut off the first training costs, they will be saving substantial money. I wouldn't be surprised if I found out companies were donating to the IBM idea of the Academic Cloud. A small investment can pay big dividends when hiring students fresh out of college. Hopefully, the "understanding" component of learning new technology can be transferred over the Academic Cloud; that is, not only knowing what a technology is, but how it works, and how it can help a company.
ReplyDeleteIbm is definitely tapping into a great, open market segment and providing a product that will have both short term and long term effects. Not only is this program an innovative way to bring information technology and knowledge of the uses of technology to students, who potentially will be working in the information technology field, and possibly even with IBM. Additionally, teaching students to use information systems and technology has the potential to boost IBM's future sales. A more proficient student population, and a more profiecient work force as a result, will lead to new technology needs. This is a need that IBM can not only create, but meet and satisfy. Overall, this product is part of a solid business plan.
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