Telnet

"Telnet" is the accepted name of the Internet protocol and the command name on UNIX systems for a type of terminal emulation program which allows users to log into remote computer networks, whether the network being targeted for login is physically in the next room or halfway around the globe. A common program feature is the ability to emulate several diverse types of terminals--ANSI, TTY, vt52, and more. In the early days of networking some ten to fifteen years ago, the "internet" more or less consisted of telnet, FTP (file transfer protocol), crude email programs, and news reading. Telnet made library catalogs, online services, bulletin boards, databases and other network services available to casual computer users, although not with the friendly graphic user interfaces one sees today.

Each of the early internet functions could be invoked from the UNIX prompt, however, each of them used a different client program with its own unique problems. Internet software has since greatly matured, with modern web browsers (i.e. Netscape and Internet Explorer) easily handling the WWW protocol (http) along with the protocols for FTP, gopher, news, and email. Only the telnet protocol to this day requires the use of an external program.

Due to problems with printing and saving and the primitive look and feel of telnet connections, a movement is underway to transform information resources from telnet-accessible sites to full fledged web sites. However, it is estimated that it will still take several years before quality web interfaces exist for all of the resources now currently available only via telnet. Therefore, knowing the underlying command structure of terminal emulation programs like telnet is likely to remain necessary for the networking professional for some time to come.

The chief advantage to the telnet protocol today lies in the fact that many services and most library catalogs on the Internet remain accessible today only via the telnet connection. Since telnet is a terminal application, many see it as a mere holdover from the days of mainframe computers and minicomputers. With the recent interest in $500 Internet terminals may foretell resurgence in this business. Disadvantages include the aforementioned problems that telnet tends to have printing and saving files and its primitive look and feel when compared to more modern web browsers.

Some argue that the future of the Internet lies in sophisticated web browsers like Netscape and Internet Explorer, or tools such as Gopher that "save" end users from having to deal with the command line prompt and the peculiar details of commands like Telnet. While that may be the case, the tendency remains in place for programmers to develop new software by building on the old. Therefore, knowing the underlying command structure of older protocols like telnet and rlogin are likely to remain essential skills for the networking professional in the foreseeable future.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing can be defined as a contract service agreement in which an organisation hires out all or part of its IT responsibilities to an external company.

More and more companies are leaning towards outsourcing it could be said that this may be caused by the growing complexity of IT and the changing business needs of an organisation. As a result, an organisation may find that it is not possible to have all its IT services supplied from within its own company. Given this, an IT manager may decide to choose to seek assistance from an external contractor/company to supply their services the organisation lacks. In addition, the business competition has set the pace for an organisation to continue to strive for internal efficiency. It also needs to look for a way to transfer non-core activities or "in house" services and support activities to external specialist organisations who can deliver quality services at a lower cost.

IT managers can go through lengthy procedures to minimise problems with outsourcing, but still things can go wrong and intended objectives may not get achieved. To overcome such mistakes, it may be prudent to look at other companies that have undertaken outsourcing and learn from their successes and mistakes

Listed below are some of the major issues to be considered when using outsourcing:

· An IT manager that undertakes outsourcing must be able to clearly identify its long term IT strategic directions and long term information needs.

· Organisation must be able to clearly define its business objectives.

· To avoid unnecessary friction between the organisation and the external service provider, it would be prudent to incorporate an "extraordinary events" clause into any contract entered into. This clause should cover any extraordinary changes in circumstance that should occur . This also allows a lot of flexibility between the two parties.

· The IT manager should identify all the external and internal stakeholders and the impact that the outsourcing may have on stakeholders.

· Learn from other companies, use their mistakes and successes to avoid duplication and waste of manpower.

In order to determine the optimum sourcing strategy, an organisation needs to look at a number of perspectives or alternatives and then balance these perspectives with the benefits and risks of outsourcing. With this information, an organisation can derive a more structured methodology for a balanced view of the IT infrastructure and its components.

Outsourcing should not be viewed as a solution in resolving problem service areas within the organisations. If an internal service area is not performing effectively and by transferring it to an external contractor could only magnify the problem. Therefore, it is important that an organisation that undertakes outsourcing must be able to clearly identify its long term IT strategic directions and long term information needs. The IT manager is the prime candidate to fulfill this role . Once the organisations have understood and addressed its long term IT strategic directions, it can then go on to decide which IT service areas should be outsourced. Organisations undertake outsourcing of their IT service areas should do so based on the basis of costs and benefits analysis and it is justified on cost effectiveness and must be based on sound business decision.