Amitabh Sharma
Features Coordinator

The world is a global village, it is said, and technology is the key driver in the phenomenon, the computer has now shrunk to the palm, Internet has become wire free. We are reaping the rewards of years of research and development that has made technology touch the lives of millions of people living in remote corners of the world.

Technology is the key component in the world of work, mobile e-mail access devices, high speed data, voice and image transfers are enabling people work as a team, although they are time zones apart.

"In today's world, the increasing availability personal management tools, recreational tools as well as other technological innovations have all contributed to our personal development," says Maheshwar Boodraj, IBM software sales specialist.

Boodraj, who was speaking at Gleaner's Youthlink sponsored seminar - 'Surviving the Corporate Jungle' - last month, says that there are five key technological innovations which will change the face of how we share information, gain knowledge and develop professionally.


1. The third dimension
To compete in the global workplace it is imperative for an individual to constantly update their skill sets and achieve higher levels of education.

Internet is the key; "Information has become more readily available and more easily accessible by way of the World Wide Web," says Boodraj. "One can sign up for online courses and seminars," he adds.

The IBM executive says that distance learning has provided a means for the average individual to have access to local and overseas tertiary education in the absence of available seats in the local institutions.

How one learns in this medium is soon going to change.

"The three- dimensional simulated learning environment is the latest and most innovative emerging trend in learning," Boodraj says.

Such environments are currently being used in flight simulators.

"This technology allows manipulating and interacting with objects similar to those in real-world scenarios," Boodraj explains adding that experiences gained from these simulations can effectively make one more marketable.

He says that such stimulation can effectively cut costs and create meaningful learning environments for students.

"Imagine being able to virtually walk through the African rainforest, visit ancient Egypt or talk to experts in any subject area," he explains.

2. Global language
IBM is one of the many companies that is constantly testing technology. One of their advance system uses mobile devices and networks to learn about users' whereabouts and preferences as they work and travel.

The system works with a variety of wireless networks and uses important events to adapt to the user's preferences.

"For example, when a user enters a meeting room the mobile phone will automatically divert to the voice mail,"Boodraj informs.

Technology has enabled business to grow beyond time zones, outsourcing is the order of the day.

" Outsourcing allows organisations and individuals to act, not only as service providers to the region, but also to gain experience and knowledge," Boodraj says.

Another successful breakthrough is the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. Experts are now working to perfect real-time speech translation. According to Boodraj, real-time translation technologies will be embedded into mobile phones, handheld devices and cars.

"This would bring the barriers of language we face, imagine identifying an opportunity in Japan," he says, "and immediately being able to communicate with the relevant persons regardless of the language that they speak."

With the global job market reaching the six billion mark, the advance of new communications technologies will open up many more windows of opportunity, Boodraj predicts.

amitabh.sharma@gleanerjm.com