What is IT Support Technician? IT Help Desk Certifications

Help desk technicians provide technical assistance to end users. Help desk technicians are essential for IT staff, as they maintain the technologies that organizations rely on to update their operations and function properly.

IT help desk technicians provide technical support and troubleshooting services to end users who need help with their hardware or software. There are two main types of technical support technicians: internal and remote. Remote support technicians support technology customers over the phone, online, and occasionally on-site. Internal technicians only support internal employees.

Help desk technicians need in-depth knowledge of computer hardware and software. Strong communication skills are also required as help desk specialists need to effectively communicate solutions to technical and non-technical people. The professional trajectory of the IT help desk is ideal for methodical solvers who can learn quickly and adapt new skills. Patience, resourcefulness and a desire to help others are desirable qualities in technical support and in helpdesk roles.

Many IT professionals start their careers as help desk technicians due to their lack of experience and training, so that when exposed to new IT disciplines and technologies, they discover their niche and develop in other IT careers, such as network administrator. , DBA. or IT security specialist. Other technicians will remain in the help desk and can take advantage of their experience to become help desk managers.Also known as a technical support technician Technical support specialist Computer support engineer Computer support specialist On-site service technician Technical support analyst

IT Help Desk Certifications

Marketable certifications for technical support technicians and IT support professionals may include the following:

·         CompTIA A + certification

·         CompTIA network + certification

·         CompTIA security + certification

·         MCSA: Windows 10

·         MCSE: desktop infrastructure

Also read : outsourced noc support services

Important Skills for Technical Support Specialists

How do you become a first level support technician?

Applicants in the field have generally completed IT training, for example a degree in Computer Science, IT, Engineering or Technology is a common requirement.

In addition to the technical requirements, you should also feel comfortable in the customer service field and possibly have several years of professional experience in this area.

It is also important that first level support is committed to expanding their knowledge through continuous training, courses or certifications. Nothing is faster than the IT industry. New systems constantly bring new problems and these require new solutions.

Salary

The wage outlook for a senior support agent tends to drop between $ 30,000 and $ 40,000. Some employers are also willing to reward the best skills with a higher salary of up to $ 70,000.

Skills of a service desk support : Since the role of the help desk agent is direct contact with customers, it is essential to be able to connect with people, understand their problems, questions or concerns and be able to provide clear solutions.

It takes a certain combination of skills, character and soft technical values ​​to create an excellent career in the help desk and / or support.

Important skills for technical support specialists include:

• Excellent communication skills
• Troubleshooting and troubleshooting
• Ability to clearly explain technical information.
• Ability to prioritize and perform multiple tasks efficiently
• Knowledge of call location applications.
• Collaborative Team Spirit
• Analytical and process-oriented approach
• Ability to learn new software and hardware.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to perform diagnostic tests.
• Ability to create case notes and error records.
• Good improvements in the identification process.

How to Become a Network Administrator?

If you want to pursue a career as a network administrator and don't know where to start, this is your guide on wages, job markets, skills and common interview questions in the field.

Computer networks are at the heart of every business, home and life. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, Internet of things (IoT) devices, blockchain technology and advanced analysis, networks evolve faster than ever.

Networking is one of the most underrated technological revolutions, often overshadowed by high-profile corporate technologies, according to a recent article by Deloitte Insights, Tomorrow's Connectivity.

Almost all major technologies depend in some way on the network and connectivity. As these technologies advance, they also demonstrate networks, such as mesh networks, edge computing, virtualization of network functions, software-defined networks, 5G solutions and ultra-broadband.

Nearly half (44%) of IT professionals mentioned updating network systems and bases as the top priority in 2019, said the TechTarget IT priority survey. This increase is largely due to data entry in organizations, and companies rely on strong networks to transport and process data.

With four out of five IT professionals believe that digital transformation is necessary for business survival, companies will need reliable networks to carry out these projects. However, organizations must have staff to support these networks.

As one of the 13 most requested technological jobs in 2019, according to the IOC, network administrators are required careers in the technological world. Network administrators coordinate, manage, implement and resolve network hardware and software problems for an organization.

Read More :  network administrator best practices

The Optical Fiber Market

The installation of optical fiber is only part of the continuous evolution of work in the electrical sector and, in addition to citing works using traditional technologies, the contractor is now asked to carry out works that have some optical fibers as an important component.

Unfortunately, many contractors resisted learning about this new technology and continued to work to keep their staff at work and worse, some contractors turned down the work of old customers because of the fiber optic component of the project. On the other side of the coin, we see more and more contractors analyzing fiber optics as an area in which to expand their business.

I spent countless hours talking to the contractors, trying to encourage them to "bite the bullet", grab the bull by the horns and get involved with fiber optics. During these discussions, many useful tips are offered on the best approach that contractors should take to enter the fiber optic market.

I condensed these ideas into the following simple steps:

Discover as much as possible about technology. Submit for information on materials, tools and test equipment. Take the time to read the information and ask suppliers questions. Set up fiber optic material files, access distributors' distribution lists and, above all, read as many fiber optic magazines as possible.

Train yourself and everyone else. Training is an investment and, like any other investment, there is a cost, but also a high return. The alternative is ignorance and it is increasingly expensive. Get some basic testing tools, materials and equipment. Take some time to practice. The most effective training will combine formal training with practice in the workplace or in the store.

Advertise your new fiber optic skills. Tell the world what you can do. Define what you want to sell and set up a booklet or advertisement in your local newspaper, business newspaper or other medium. You are likely to initially sell fiber optic installations, splices, troubleshooting, preventive maintenance and restoration services.

Talk to your existing customers; they should be your best references. Make sure they know that you can meet any fiber requirements they may have. Also talk to your suppliers and ask them to direct you.

Inform other contractors that you will voluntarily accept any fiber projects that they do not want. Many will appreciate your offer.

Do everything to accept a small fiber job, but don't underestimate the job just to get it; leave a reasonable profit. Get assistance from your fiber optic material suppliers. Help is out there to ask.

They want you to be successful.

Now that your feet are wet and I hope you made a small profit, the next step is to look for bigger jobs. Your contact list is growing, as are your resources and trust. Take it one step at a time, but follow these steps.

When completing a job, sell a maintenance and restoration contract to the customer. They want the certainty that you will be there if they need you and you want to continue developing your relationship with your customers.

Read Also : certified fiber optic technician jobs

Jobs in Fiber Optics

There are many different jobs in the field of fiber optics, in many different types of organizations. Each has unique requirements and requires different educational backgrounds.

Installation

Probably the largest number of jobs is represented by installers who build fiber optic networks. Installers must have experience in the process of pulling cables, joining, finishing and testing. Requires more manual dexterity than other jobs, as well as a basic knowledge of how systems work. In addition, installers work with specialized equipment, such as casting joints, OLTS and OTDR, which require in-depth knowledge of their operations and an understanding of how to interpret the test results.

Workers who install fiber optic networks over the telephone, surveillance, CCTV and CATV do much of their outdoor work (what we call outside the factory - OSP facilities), addressing the climate all year round. Sometimes they use large machines that dig ditches and lay and / or pull cables, as well as bucket trucks. Then they bring the ends of the cables to special trucks or trailers, where the cable lengths are joined and tested.

Outdoor facility installations (OSPs) generally require more hardware (and greater knowledge of test tools and equipment). Pullers, splicers, OTDRs and even junction vans are the tools most used by OSP contractors.

Local cabling technologies install cables inside buildings for computer networks, security systems and other building management systems. IT and security networks use a lot of fiber installed inside buildings. Room cabling technologies often install complete structured cabling systems that include copper (often called "Cat 5") and fiber, in addition to providing connections and sometimes installing wireless access points.

The installation cables are routed through conduits or placed on walkways and then terminated in the communication rooms. Local installers may have experience in electricity, so a contractor can install power and communication cables. Local installers may only need a termination kit to connect the connectors and a simple test kit for installation. Working above the ceiling or in offices or communication rooms packed with telecommunications is the norm.

FTTH technicians install fiber from local areas directly in the house. Some use standard OSP installation practices and others install pre-terminated cables that only require connection to network equipment.

FOA certifications focus on installation work: CFOT certifications (certified fiber optic technician), CPCT (wiring technician for certified installations) and various CFOS certifications (certified fiber optic specialist).

Check here : fibre optic installation jobs

Education / teaching

Optical fibers, like any fast-growing technology, need well-trained workers. Some of these workers are trained in technical schools, both in high schools and universities, where general courses prepare you for almost all aspects of optical fiber. Some are formed by specialized schools in adult education, generally focused on specific applications, such as the underground installation of telecommunication cables from underground systems, in which the instructors generally have experience in the sector. All of these programs need qualified teachers. A qualified teacher will know the material you are teaching, preferably from personal experience, and will have the necessary skills to teach it to students. Since all training includes practical seminars for developing skills in relevant processes, it is important that a teacher has these skills and knows how to teach them to others.

Fiber Optic Component and System Designers

Most of those who design fiber optic components have at least a degree. For components like connectors, it would be in mechanical engineering. Optical components, such as fibers, require knowledge of optics and materials; many designers will have training in physics, chemistry or materials. If you want to develop lasers or photodetectors, you must have experience in solid state physics. The transceiver design involves a combination of electronic components and optical fibers.

Fiber optic system designers are generally electronic engineers who are familiar with digital communication systems. Fiber optic components are used as integrated circuits to develop these communication systems.

Manufacturing Fiber Optic Components and Systems

Installations where fiber optic components (fiber, cable, connectors, hardware, tools or test equipment) are manufactured require highly skilled workers. They can use multimillion-dollar machines that manufacture precision components and use sophisticated tools to test product quality.

Production jobs will have different requirements, depending on the technical nature of the job. Some require manual skills, while others may require advanced technical education to understand complicated production processes and ensure proper operation.