Skill convergence: Master of All

I nformation Technology (IT) is

redefining itself as Information Infrastructure. The backbone to this infrastructure is extensive networking and telecommunications links.

Technology convergence has resulted in industry convergence and that has 



necessitated “skill convergence”.

To understand it clearly, let us understand the core technology issues and upcoming trends. The term “convergence” is commonly expressed as “the ability of different network platforms to carry essentially similar kinds of

services, or the coming together of consumer devices such as the telephone, television, and PC.” Let us consider some examples.

Telecom operators have become major players in providing Internet access as well as backbone infrastructure. Broadcasters are providing data services over their networks and these services will be enhanced over the next 12-18 months by the prospect of digital transmission and interactivity. Cable operators are providing a range of telecom services, including voice telephony, and are beginning to deploy cable modems to offer high-speed Internet access. Beyond the provision of services to the public, both audio and video technologies are also being deployed within corporate intranets as an additional medium for distributing real-time information.

We have progressed from standalone computers to mature networks and data communications via telecom networks, there is a consistent exploration of

new potential of services by deploying technology. Of course, the base of telecommunications is a network and the network is backed by an intelligent node for users. There is a perfect synchronization in both the directions. The computer as an intelligent node is a powerful machine with all its multimedia resources. The network is expected to provide a number of services with quality. Then there is a constant upward demand from transmission channels for more bandwidth. And finally customer-care which is an ongoing process.

All these factors are so much interlinked that defining a professional in a narrow domain would be suicidal for today’s global careers. You may be specializing in one specific area but you cannot remain isolated from other issues of the upcoming networked digital environments. You need to interact and interface with a number of factors to maintain efficient services. Always remember: you are an

important human resource for your whole network. You are a pilot in command and you cannot afford to just look at the horizon, which is your growth. You also need to understand ground situations, nearby traffic, on-board management as well and a lot of other parameters to fly safely. 

Indian IT action plan clearly states “the skill requirements in the field of IT are shifting towards a mix of technical, management, and communication skills from purely technical skills like programming”. The document emphasizes information infrastructures at national and global levels. That is an excellent indicator that, at least, we are thinking finally in the right direction. Otherwise we should be prepared to see ourselves out of the virtual world map being created today.



Human resources can be defined as “techno-commercial personalities”. There is no boundary between a marketer 


and a technical support person in terms of knowledge management. Functionally, they may perform 


different tasks but there is no lack of situational awareness as far as technology support and technology management is concerned. And if that can be achieved at beginners’ level 


and at the advanced levels, anybody may progress towards a global career by redefining IT, networking, and telecommunications as one
digital environment. 

With technology convergence, associated skills are also bound to converge. Equally important is the infrastructure, which is being upgraded from being “inferior structure”. The millennium question is–how well are we prepared to sustain ourselves on the virtual global map?