Monday, July 9, 2001		Article

Platform for creating XML-based Net
Sumesh Raizada

NEARLY two decades ago, computers were mainly used and considered to be the device for computing and generating large financial and arithmetical data that were otherwise too cumbersome to manage. Later on, personal computers were introduced, which revolutionised the IT field with their ease of maintenance and operation. As a result more applications were added and PC penetration increased to several other areas like, education, multimedia and DTP. Operating systems and programming languages were developed to suit different requirement of users, whether in accounts, marketing or design. Software giant Microsoft Corp. came up with their revolutionary operating system, Windows and software package, MS Office that changed the complexion of computer industry altogether.

The next revolution in IT field, which came in the form of the Internet, further expanded the utility of PCs and introduced concepts like E-Commerce, ERP, CRM, etc. Companies like Novell, IBM, Sun, Compaq and Oracle seized this opportunity and introduced several Web-related software and hardware in the market. Language like Java became the easiest tool for Web programmers through out the world for designing Web sites. Software programming tools and operating systems are continuously upgraded or developed fresh by firms to provide more services and applications to the user. In their quest to promote e-commerce and other Web applications effectively, Microsoft Corp., recently introduced .Net (DotNet), a concept that is more or less on similar lines as MS office. This is a single package that shall cover all possible Internet and computing applications for the benefit of Internet user or provider. When applied into the system, .Net can help persons, wherever they may be to get access to their data and pursue Web activities without having to configure their operating device.

.Net was originally called NGWS i.e. Next Generation Windows Services and is a platform for creating and utilising XML (extensible markup language) based Internet services. It helps Web programmers to develop software through which a user can gain access to the Internet irrespective of device on which he is trying to connect. The device may be desktop or laptop PC, PDA or mobile telephone. This not only saves time but also improve efficiency of operations. Several specialised servers have now been developed based on .Net technology that offers support for nearly 30 programming languages.

.Net helps in e-businesses activities and interaction between customers and suppliers, over the Net. It is a means to integrate computing, communications and commerce together and efficiently promotes B2B and B2C transactions. .Net includes a new version of Windows operating system, MS Office and various architecture software that helps programmers to develop Internet and e-business related applications. Microsoft has developed Internet Information Server 6.0 that is supported by tools like ASP.NET, ADO.NET or Visual Studio.NET for this purpose. .Net server can run on any browser or platform thereby increasing its scope of application in several industries like electronic, entertainment or manufacturing.

.Net, when fully functional shall be of immense utility in large number of Internet-related applications. It helps Web sites to perform business transactions among each other as well as with the customers. Another application of .Net is in medical care or insurance sector, where a patient can get his appointment or find out the appointment status through the Internet, submit medical bills to insurance companies directly, and many more. This brings in considerable saving of time and money. .Net is extremely useful when system integration is required between organisations having separate operating systems. .Net with the help of its XML Web services easily build a communication network between these organisations, over the Internet. .Net is an application that enables the Internet to work as a personal network, consisting of all applications or data. Though PC remains the main computing device yet one can have access to the data or applications on the Internet from any other device. Instead of buying the software, organisations can also rent it as a hosted service for its users, thus making its availability and access easier and cheaper.

.Net platform helps businesses to interact quickly to changing market conditions and to enhance profitability, through e-commerce activities. .Net servers are developed using XML standards and provides advantage of using existing data in other applications, irrespective of the operating system, device or programming language being used. The servers are mostly based on Windows 2000 and offers features like load balancing, clustering services and event functionality. In India, .Net severs are being provided through resellers like Sonata Software, Tech Pacific, Redington India, and Data Pro.

Educational institutes, realising the utility and potential of this strong business tool have started incorporating .Net into their curriculum. IMG University.com in association with Microsoft is providing online sample training modules on the .Net for developers as well as professionals. In India, NIIT has taken a lead in providing courses on .Net. They have partnered with Microsoft to develop Web applications and programs based on .Net platform.

Microsoft is also collaborating with Certified Technical Education Centers (CTEC) across the country to provide training on .Net enterprise servers. SSI shall also be offering training programme on the .Net enterprise servers to its students. Technical support will be provided by Microsoft through its support centers across the country. Companies like TCS, Visualsoft Technologies, etc have started developing solutions on .Net servers and are providing on the job training to its employees.

The Institute of Network Technology India Pvt. Ltd. (INT) is also conducting course on Designing E-Business Applications with .Net Enterprise Server. Microsoft has also partnered with some institutes for the transfer of technical skills and to offer new courses on .Net platforms. Those joining these institutes can acquire skills on Microsoft's e-commerce and mobile commerce platform and development tool.

STG or Software Technology Group has launches eSTG.NET course that offers .Net curriculum for the benefit of students. STG, through its centres spread all over the country, is offering the complete .Net course at its software education centers. The total duration of eSTG.NET is 330 hours and is divided into three modules. The first module gives an overview of .Net, the second will help the student to become a .Net application developer, and the third module shall make him .Net professional. eSTG.NET is a pioneering program that helps in developing concepts of .Net technologies in the real life workplace.

Career opportunities are immense in this latest concept from Microsoft. As it become more popular in years to come, demand for trained professionals shall also grow accordingly. Professionals shall be required to work as programmer or software developer for developing e-commerce related applications around .Net platform. They can also work as .Net Administrator, for the specialised servers for its maintenance and operation. Opportunity also exists in networking and Hardware companies for developing equipment suited to .Net environment.

Since .Net has been introduced simultaneously all over the world, presently very few trained professionals are available in this field. Hence, wide job prospect exists for professionals to work in India as well as abroad.