Social networking, mobile,analytics based on big data and cloud computing (SMAC) are emerging extensively as a new career prospect in India, writes Diwakar Chittora

High-end technological solutions are the remedy for every issue that the corporate world has to deal with, be it building connections with stakeholders or recruiting talented employees for the proper functioning of the company.

Today, firms have to confront the daunting challenge of hiring employees who possess updated knowledge of the industry and match the educational qualifications that companies usually look for. If we talk about a particular industry, say, Information Technology, the sphere is bombarded with IT professionals, but still, companies have to strive hard to search for the right candidate.

Hence, it’s crucial for aspiring IT professionals to develop advanced skills in Data Analytics, as the IT industry is gearing itself up for ‘Big Data’. 

The formula for the Future of Work is called SMAC – social, mobile, analytics and cloud on one integrated stack, where each function enables another to maximise their effect. This is the new enterprise IT model delivering an organisation that is more connective, collaborative, real-time and productive.

Driving force

Innovation, upgradation and efficiency in operations are of utmost importance for businesses as well as the government to survive in the fast changing environment. SMAC (Social, Mobile, Analytics and Cloud) is a path-breaking concept that integrates four technologies, namely, Social Media, Mobile, Analytics and Cloud-computing as the driving factors that ensure smooth functioning of a business.

The synergy of all these four technologies cultivates innovation with low overheads and high reach. Organisations are clubbing the four technologies together, which makes SMAC an all new integrated IT model that helps enterprises to be more connected, productive, collaborative and real-time.

The convergence of these four technologies i.e. SMAC, is creating a new era where the traditional methods are being replaced by the modern ones. Embracing the new system early will help companies surpass their competitors. SMAC is gradually becoming the new basis of competition, thus assisting firms in creating enhanced business models. 

The four pillars

Social Media: Social media platforms have already established their dominance in the market like never before. Various industries now opt for such platforms to market and sell products or to connect with the target audience. 

Mobility: The advent of smartphone technology has replaced PCs and laptops, to an extent where, consumers usually run various errands like shopping, paying bills, doing recharges etc. through their uber-smart mobile phones. Further to this, user-friendly mobile applications are now being created for an augmented and satisfying experience. 

Analytics: Enormous amount of data is being generated every day by individuals and companies. This data is crucial to form strategies and new policies. Companies that keep a tab on such data are likely to emerge as game-changers in the technological landscape. 

Cloud: Cloud enables storing huge amount of data without the risk of losing the same. This brings innovation and boosts operational productivity. Cloud has emerged as an important tool in devising strategies and making computing even more convenient and user-friendly. 

SMAC and recruitment

In order to stay on trend with current technology and drive revenue through the digital eco-space, SMAC is gaining impetus creating new job opportunities, revolutionising how commerce takes place and changing how competition affects the market. 

As IT companies are adopting this new fusion of technologies, they are in huge requirement for employees who are good at working with SMAC. In such a scenario, the basis of recruitment has changed, creating stiff competition among IT professionals. IT companies have embraced the concept of Big Data which further demands highly-skilled employees.

To cater to this requirement, organisations are resorting to new-fangled recruitment methods. Hence, aspirants who aim to become IT professionals are required to possess advanced skills in technologies like data analytics, mobility, social networking and cloud computing, in order to find a lucrative job in the sphere of IT. 

The recruitment sector will see tremendous transformation coming its way, creating new standards and intense competition among job aspirants going ahead. Earlier, it was talented candidates that firms used to look for, but now it’s not just talent but specialised talent that has become the focus while hiring.

Mobile technology has replaced the conventional methods of hiring and will slowly gain traction in the coming years. Besides this, recruitment for IT will now be based on candidates having particular skills that match with the new technological fusion. As new entrants launch themselves into the IT industry, skill-specific and domain-specific hiring will become the focal point while recruiting. The probability of fresh graduates being able to get a job will reduce in such a case. 

The hiring scenario in the IT industry is showing an upward swing, owing to the increasing requirement of talented and skilled professionals. The technological shift from traditional to non-traditional is generating umpteen opportunities for job aspirants. Hence in order to leverage the opportunities, IT job aspirants are striving hard to upgrade their skills by taking up SMAC courses, which will help them work in an environment dominated by SMAC. 

Improvements

Industries, especially the IT sector, need to revamp their conventional business models with the contemporary ones. In order to work in tandem with SMAC, IT firms are required to imbibe innovation in their services as well as products.

Unique and path-breaking ideas should be promoted and appreciated in order to bolster innovation. Organisations must encourage new ideas by widening their horizons and creating more opportunities for employees.

Besides this, firms can encourage employees by making them do different types of functions, in order to enhance their overall knowledge of the new technology. Also, by helping employees blossom to their full potential, IT companies attain an edge for themselves in the technological ecosystem. 

It is estimated that SMAC will clock revenue from $70 billion to $200 billion in the coming three years. The club of new technologies is generating waves in the digital ecosystem and it is sure to develop the social, mobile, analytics and cloud-computing solutions for organisations, bringing them at par with the global standards.

Companies are investing considerably in SMAC, owing to its vast capacity to add value to businesses, record more sales and to be a great support in formulating strategies and policies. Harnessing such unique features of SMAC, organisations are now able to bolster the experience of their customers, empowering them to take right decisions.  

The nexus of four technologies i.e. Social, Mobile, Analytics and Cloud has influenced the day-to-day life of people as well as businesses immensely, hence urging firms to employ the technology in their operations in a way that delivers maximum returns. The results like better customer experience, augmented brand image and upgraded products are a testament to the fact that SMAC is here to stay and metamorphose the whole technological scenario of the country. 

Courses, institutes

As demand for talent in niche technology areas such as SMAC gets fierce, a number of universities and institutes are emerging to keep up with the digital revolution. Institutes such as NIIT, Aptech, SRM University, CMR University (-Bengaluru, in collaboration with IBM) are few institutes among many online/offline solutions that offers courses in cloud computing, Business Analytics etc.

The SMAC revolution is here to stay. The next generation will turn back and point to a revolution that redefined life and business. As aforementioned, SMAC is not just going to be the talisman for IT industries; it will also emerge extensively as a new career prospect in India.