Where's the Technology?

The last ten years of medical advance has promised again and again the ability for physicians to remotely examine and even treat their patients. Federal government states and universities have spent that millions of dollars in the development of examination stations and "robots" to provide stereo two-way voice communication, stereoscopic video and even remote stethoscope capability to patient bedsides in remote hospital communities. This new science of telemedicine has brought advances to hospital and emergency room based medicine for those remote communities.

But what about the average consumer? The coming pandemic looms ominously on the horizon. But this ominous shadow may actually be a new dawn for telemedicine.

The SARS outbreak in Toronto and Singapore proved that quarantine does not work but that "Social Distancing" does. The message in Toronto was clear and simple. "Don't go to hospitals and healthcare institutions unless you want to catch SARS. That's where the SARS is." In Toronto it worked. The SARS epidemic fizzled out after only a few short weeks of social distancing.

But in the United States, emergency rooms, hospitals and urgent care centers are the destination for the treatment of after-hours illnesses and sudden onsets of the flu. Pandemic flu will strike like a blitzkrieg across the world. People will fall ill in a matter of hours not days. Doctors' offices will be overflowing with the sick and those who are afraid that they will become sick. The default will be the urgent care centers emergency rooms and hospitals of the nation. This is where the disease will be concentrated and like with SARS in Toronto this is where it will be most likely that you will become ill.

Here's where telemedicine has the advantage, if somebody, anybody can produce a telemedicine technology solution within a reasonable price range for the average consumer to buy. What would be needed would be a high resolution web camera and a simple handheld stethoscope-like device that could produce high fidelity sound in real time. A web based portal for physicians would also be needed. The examination would need to be completable in real time.

Imagine a simple device with a webcam and a modified microphone similar to that already found on electronic stethoscopes used by physicians coupled with an electronic blood pressure cuff. Now imagine this device providing information in real time to the physician a rudimentary medical examination, a kind of "telemedicine triage." With this consumer priced equipment, an examination could be performed and basic healthcare decisions such as the need for home healthcare nursing, antiviral medication prescriptions, or simple chicken soup could be made. This "telemedicine triage" would ensure that only the sickest of the sick would go to the hospital guaranteeing that the spread of the disease was decreased because fewer people would be sent home from the hospital not sick, but now contaminated.

Of course Medicare, Medicaid and other healthcare insurances would have to begin to actually pay physicians to perform telemedicine services. While the codes exist reimbursement is slow and difficult. Telemedicine takes more time than a regular examination and time does have a value.

Will anybody step up to the plate? That depends on demand for "telemedicine triage" by the public, the demand for a consumer telemedicine product and, unfortunately, the ability of physicians to get paid for what they do. On the other hand, the cost if telemedicine triage does not become is that the future pandemic will rage on.

Dr. Maurice A. Ramirez is co-founder of Disaster Life Support of North America, Inc., a national provider of Disaster Preparation, Planning, Response and Recovery education. Through his consulting firm High Alert, LLC., he serves on expert panels for pandemic preparedness and healthcare surge planning with Congressional and Cabinet Members. Board certified in multiple medical specialties, Dr. Ramirez is Founding Chairperson of the American Board of Disaster Medicine and a Senior Physician-Federal Medical Officer for the Department of Homeland Security. Cited in 24 textbooks with numerous published articles, he is co-creator of C5RITICAL and author of Mastery Against Adversity. Dr. Ramirez invites comments at: http://www.disaster-blog.com

Technology Recruiting Trends

Online recruiting has come a long way from the days of bulletin board systems, résumé uploads, jobs via email, and candidate matching tools. There's a whole world of recruiting solutions that are just surfacing, and most HR and recruiting professionals aren't even aware of them.

In this article I discuss the movement from offline to online recruiting and a range of new recruiting tools that are influencing the future, plus some simple things you can do to make your own job listings easier to find online.

Let's start with a brief retrospective. In the not too distant past, if you wanted to hire someone, you'd sort through recent unsolicited résumés, run a classified ad in the local paper, post a referral notice on the company bulletin board, and call it a day. If you had an executive-level candidate, perhaps you spent $5,000 to place a display ad in the local daily or weekly business rag or a couple of national trades. If you were really desperate, you probably dialed a headhunter and prepared the boss for the bad news - the headhunter's commission.

But with the advent of the Internet, recruiters learned how to upload their job listings and ship them off to the niche and mega job boards. These tools gave recruiters access to a national bank of résumés­ - and broadcast a job posting to both passive and active job seekers. Résumé scanning technologies provided a way for recruiters to build their own candidate pools based on keyword searches.

Online Recruiting--Take Two

Then something happened. Résumés started getting stale, jobs that got posted were bottom of the barrel, and the buzz about online job searches began to quiet.

The Internet is all about creating a WOW experience, so when something Internet starts to flat line, the Internet gurus rethink the game and reengineer business models. The same is true of online recruiting, an industry with its own evolutionary cycle.

Take a simple example that's close to home. In many companies, the HR and recruiting group has won its own space on the corporate Internet. Your corporate recruiting site allows you to post jobs, email candidates and collect resumes. Ostensibly, candidate could find your jobs when they looked for them.

Then along came Google to change all of that.

On Google, the top 20 job and/or career keywords represent 10 million searches each month alone. If your job listing doesn't come up in a search result, fewer candidates are going to find you. So how do you get around this?

Optimize Your Job Listings

Job Content Optimization can help you increase the effectiveness of your own online recruiting Website by making your job listings more relevant to big search engines. Optimizing your job listings isn't brain surgery. Once you know a few simple tricks, you're well on your way to creating search-engine-friendly job postings.

Search engines zoom in on keywords, but how those keywords are presented in your job listing makes all the difference. Simply put, you have to make sure that your job listings are well written. There are a number of ways to optimize them:

Use common words, instead of your corporate code words.

You have to use words that people will search on. If you post a job for a Mechanical D/D Engineer, how is anyone going to find you? Better to use plane English, i.e., Mechanical Design and Drafting Engineer.

Expand and define your acronyms.

Many managers and recruiters will use acronyms to describe their requirements, assuming that everyone will use them when searching for jobs on the major sites. Terms such as "DBA", "SOX", "VOIP", and "PM" are common amongst recruiters, but candidates will also search for the expanded terms - and you don't want to miss your chance to get in their results.

Remember - don't avoid using acronyms, but always include the associated definitions to enhance your chances. Examples would be "We need an Oracle DBA (Database Analyst), to assist us with our SOX (Sarbanes Oxley) project, who will serve as the PM (Project Manager)." This would insure that all your acronyms would have expanded terms that will be indexed in the job search engines.

Use multiple job titles to describe the same job.

One company may call a person an account manager, but another company may have a different label for the same job, such as account executive, sales representative, inside sales rep, or the like. Explore how other companies label similar jobs by doing searches on the major job boards, then include those job titles in your job listings with a simple phrase, such as: "This job is similar to an account executive or a sales representative." That way someone searching for any one of the three job titles has a better chance of finding you.

Not Monster ... indeed

If your jobs make it into Google searches, they'll probably make it to some of the new job search engines, such as indeed, SimplyHired.com, or Google Base.

This new breed of job search engine aggregates the job listings from independent niche sites, company sites, classified job listings, and mega boards. The search results are broad and deep, encapsulating in one search what 12 or more searches across different job boards might produce.

Although getting listed in the search results is free for many of these job search engines, some offer sponsored job listings and keyword advertising. The downside is that the branding is new, so many job seekers don't know the sites exist.

Social Networking Anyone?

Another innovation is a thing called "social networking." Simply put, social networking is like a Rolodex on steroids. This pumped-up Rolodex connects you to all the Rolodexes that are connected to other ones. For HR professionals and recruiters, social networking "technofies" the old fashioned method of networking candidates into a job. The recruiter announces a job, and word spreads to everyone in the network.

LinkedIn, perhaps the most popular example of social networking tools, lets a recruiter broadcast a job through a network of linked contacts.

For example, if you have four people in your immediate network, you might expand your broader network to 24 people at 15 companies. Then if someone on your network knows someone else who is interested in the job, you get a direct introduction via email to that person. The downside is that it takes time and persistence to connect yourself, and recruit your contacts into the system.

These recruiting advancements represent the continued evolution of our profession. While awareness is the first step towards modifying your habits as a recruiter or HR group, taking initiative is how you enhance your staffing results. The key is to continually learn and adapt so that in the future you can proudly look back and nod your head knowingly when someone mentions Google, optimization, indeed, and Social Network Marketing. Ah, those were the days.

Doug Berg
Founder & CEO of http://www.hotgigs.com

Doug has a long history in the recruiting and staffing industry. He started in IT as the Director of IT for the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Doug then started his own IT consulting & staffing firm (Quantum Consulting) which he grew to over 75 consultants. In 1995 Doug sold his firm and founded techies.com which received over $100 million in venture capital and was voted the #1 IT career site by PC Week. Doug served as President and "Chief Techie." He architected not only the web strategy, but also assisted in rolling out techies.com's services to over 39 major markets.

Doug's national connections, passion for the staffing industry, and web smarts have brought him to architect and deploy the HotGigs On-Demand Staffing Exchange which he hopes will become the "Staffing Supply Chain" for corporate America.

Doug holds an honorary Doctorate Degree in Technology from Capella University, and is a national workforce expert.

Information Technology (IT) - An Overview

This present era is an era of information technology. This article is dealing with development of information technology in different facet of our life"

INTRODUCTION

In today's world (IT) is all pervasive, everywhere, and in every facet of our day to day life. Prominently service sector involving railway, airlines, scientific and businesses establishments, banks, universities, schools, and most definitely in our homes. The phrase 'information technology' has many varying connotations in the same way as it has a wide spread presence. From the most mundane of things which a common person does to the most complex wizardry which only a techno savvy geek comprehends. Information technology can be seen and experienced in processes improving services to citizens and consumers (online transactions, bookings, university admissions, professional consultations, telecommunications, consumer products etc), increasing the productivity and efficiency of governments (computerization of government records, departments, e-cops), strengthening the legal and law enforcement systems (Judicial administration and Court Management) and in promoting the priority economic sectors (banking, agriculture, industry, marketing and the like), involving processes of manufacturing and production chain. Possibly the greatest impact Information technology has had is on blurring the time and geographical divide.

The penetration of the home computer or the personal computer phenomenon along with the Internet has increased the impact of information technology beyond our own imagination. Thus use of Internet has given the globe a shrinking effect. Every kind of information is only a few clicks away. In today's world of competition -"information" is the key word to success. Availability of right information at the right time can make all the difference. Today relevant information outweighs the price of gold. The graphical user interface has simplified one of the most complex issues in the world. Indeed, the world is undergoing a second Industrial Revolution.

Information technology today touches every aspect of life, irrespective of location on the globe. Everyone's daily activities are affected in form, content and time by the computer. Businesses, Governments and individuals all receive the benefits of this Information Revolution. While providing tangible benefits in time and money, the computer has also had an impact on everyday life, as computerized routines replace mundane human tasks. More and more of our businesses, industries, economies, hospitals and Governments are becoming dependent on computers. With the computer, the heretofore impossible has now become possible, The computer has allowed large volumes of data to be reduced to high-density, compact storage, nearly imperceptible to the human senses. It has allowed an exponential increase in speed, and even the most complex calculations can be completed in milliseconds. The miniaturization of processors has permitted worldwide connectivity and communication.

WHAT IS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY?

The broad subject concerned with all aspects of managing and processing information, especially within a large organization or company. Because computers are central to information management, computer departments within companies and universities are often called IT departments. Some companies refer to this department as IS (Information Services) or MIS (Management Information Services). The penguin dictionary of computers defines it as "a portmanteau phrase to cover all aspects of the art or science of processing data to produce information". It includes computer software, hardware, programs, and databases, semiconductor chips that put together process and produce the output. Output can be expressed in human readable form (printouts) or in machine readable form (series of electronic pulses) which are further used to control a any other machine, tool or device. Information technology also includes networking of computers and databases exchanging and feeding information between one another.

Basic understanding of and about technology law warrants proper grasp and appreciation about technology itself. Inherently technology law, like any other emerging facts of law, is purely inter-disciplinary in nature. Hence, it is now proposed to explain and introduce some of essential and relevant aspects of information technology.

Importance of information technology

The importance of information technology cannot be ignored by banking and insurance sectors, except at the cost of elimination from the competition. This is so because the use of information technology produces certain advantages, which are not available when the traditional and conventional methods of doing business are used. The use of information technology generates the following advantages and benefits:

Ø easy handling of day to day affairs of an organization,

Ø speedy disposal of routine and daily works,

Ø assurance of authenticity, integrity and confidentiality in the functioning of the organization,

Ø cost economy,

Ø integration and interaction with the global institutions and organizations,

Ø better communication and presentation facilities,

Ø assurance of safety and sound security of the sensitive and valuable information, like trade secrets,

Ø instant transfer of data and information where the situation demands,

Ø it provides access to public documents which are digitalized by various department s of the Government,

Ø for making online payments of various bills and dues,

Ø to file statutory documents online , etc.

These benefits development of information technology can be claimed by all business ventures, including banking and insurance sectors, but apart from that its advantages are claimed by various other sectors which are discussed as follow :

1. Development to Banking business,

2. Development in Forensic Science and Police Wireless

3. Development in Railways

4. Development of IT in Agriculture

5. Role of Information Technology in Alternative Dispute Redressal & Judicial recognition

6. Development of IT in Health and Medicine

1) Development to Banking business

The benefits and advantages of information technology for the smooth and efficient functioning of the banking business cannot be disregarded and sidelined. This is more so when a bank proposes to deal in "Internet banking " which is an important offshoot of information technology. Its proper and methodical use can bring the following advantages.

(A) Sound Payment System:

The usage of electronic means of funds movement and settlement is still in its stages of formative years. The various forms of electronic based payment, such as credit cards, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Stored Value cards, Shared Payment Network Service (SPNS) etc, are emerging at an incredible speed. Many banks have made initiatives aimed at electronic modes of funds movement. While this is a positive development, it needs to be ensured that such funds transfers are made in a high level of security so that no unauthorized usage occurs in the newer modes being implemented by banks. It is this area, which has been the focus of attention by the Reserve Bank - and the efforts have now resulted in the form of the Structured Financial Messaging Solution (SFMS).

The SFMS incorporates adequate security measures, including that of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), with encryption software equivalent to some of the best security measure in the world. The use of the SFMS over the INFINET would automatically provide safe, secure and efficient funds transfers with the added benefit of the settlement of inter-bank funds transfers taking place in the books of account of banks, maintained with the Reserve Bank, thereby providing for finality of the settlement. Further, the message formats used in SFMS are very similar to those used by SWIFT, resulting in ease of usage by the banking community in the country. This secure messaging backbone can be used for a number of intra-bank applications also.

(B) Effective Currency Management

The impact of technology on the issuances of Bank Notes and Currency Management by Central bank is apparent. The technology offers us immense opportunities to significantly improve our performance of this core function. Given the high value and volume of currency in circulation, the vast geographic spread of currency operations, the largest distribution channel for the supply of currency, prevalent marked preference for cash and currency handling practices, currency management in India is a challenging and strenuous task. In 1999, the Reserve Bank of India announced a "Clean Note Policy" to bring about improvements of the quality of notes in circulation and technology has played an indispensable role in enabling the Bank to provide better quality notes to the general public. The information technology makes the task of currency management easy, effective, economical and speedier.

2) Development in Forensic Science and Police Wireless

The modernization and manpower development of Information Technology in the Central Forensic Science Laboratories and GEQDs, which were started in the Seventh Plan, has had an immense development . The research areas envisaged pertain DNA finger printing; cadaver entomology; immuno-assay techniques; classification of handwriting characteristics; instrumental techniques for examining writing materials; computerized image processing of firearms and ammunition; development of computerized system for superimposition; immuno diagnostic technique, hair identification, range and time of firing and explosive analysis, etc.

It is thus expected that rapidity and sophistication would be introduced by way of video- fit techniques, laser-tracing, holography, image processing, computer aided automatic finger print identification system and initiatives taken in new frontier areas like forensic psychology. Suitable structure and mechanism would be evolved for the formulation, implementation and monitoring of S&T schemes under the Forensic Science.

In the area of police wireless, the main thrust has been to achieve communication link from the national capital up to rural police station through State Headquarters, Range Headquarters, and District Headquarters. This is proposed to be achieved through the development of high speed message switch, micro processor based specifically designed computerized connectors, pocket radio system, micro earth station and secrecy devices and multi-access radio telephone.

3) Development in Railways

Indian Railways is one of the largest systems in the world. It is said that information technology (IT), which is being introduced into various fields, is a key to the development in the 21st century. Technology innovative provider of the In Rule(TM) business rules engine for automating application decision logic that involves rules, calculations and dynamic user interfaces, today announced the expansion of its partner network in response to the needs of its growing customer base. The development of information and technology shows that safety, efficiency and convenience have been improved in the areas of railway use, operations and maintenance.

This is followed by a section on a new train control system for high-density lines that uses methods for transmitting information to the train about the distance to the position at which the train must stop, which is necessary for train control. This system is realized through the advanced application of information technology. Until now, it has been impossible to realize efficient operations in high-density lines due to limitations of existing signal technology. Further information technology has been used for train operation, security and ticket booking/issuing systems, must more actively apply information technology to improve safety, comfort and convenience.

Therefore, we are committing research and development to prevent accidents and dramatically improve passenger services by utilizing information technology to the maximum extent, to the Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI). As a means to introduce information technology into various fields of transport service, we are promoting researches to construct a "Comprehensive Transport Information Providing System." and will continue to implement the policies to utilize information technology.

4) Development of IT in Agriculture

Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy. It accounts for 27% of GDP, contributes 21% of total exports, and raw materials to several industries. About two third of Indian population depends on the agricultural sector for their means of livelihood. Therefore IT has a major role to play in all facets of Indian agriculture. In addition to facilitating farmers in improving the efficiency and productivity of agriculture and allied activities, the potential of IT lies in bringing about an overall qualitative improvement in life by providing timely and quality information inputs for decision making. The personnel who work for the welfare of Indian farmers, such as extension workers, do not have access to latest information which hinders their ability to serve the farming community effectively. In the context nonagricultural, the potential of IT can be assessed broadly under two heads:

a) as a tool for direct contribution to agricultural productivity

and

b) as an indirect tool for empowering farmers to take informed and quality decisions which will have positive impact on the way agriculture and allied activities are conducted.

5) Role of Information Technology in Alternative Dispute Redersal and Judicial Recognition

Information technology provides opportunities to facilitate communication and so assist in prevention and management of disputes. ADR services can use information technology to provide information to parties in case of disputes arise between the parties and also to complement and substitute for, traditional information system. Information technology can also play a valuable role in supporting the quality of ADR practice through more effective supervision, assessment, training, information management, research and evaluation.