AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Software and Web Development

Software development involves computer programming to write and maintain the source code that creates programs, applications and systems. It is also known as

• application development
• software application development
• enterprise application and platform development.

It requires a planned and structured process and a developer may find themselves involved at every stage – from conceptualisation of the desired software to tweaking the finished product. Software development, therefore, can also include: research, prototyping, modification, reuse, re-engineering and maintenance.

The skills required for Web development (or website development) have broadened in recent years. This specialism can range from developing simple, static, single pages of plain text to the most complex web-based internet applications, electronic businesses and social network services that include Tweet feeds, blogs, eCommerce and payment facilities, data capture mechanisms, embedded content (web videos) and restricted access areas (customer log-in).

At Xist4 we employ a team of dedicated recruiters who source specialists in software and web development.  We understand that a web developer needs to be multi-talented; here are some of the in-demand programming languages that we specialise in recruiting for:

• Java
• C / C++
• C#
• PHP
• Python
• Ruby
• JavaScript
• Objective-C
• Perl
• VB.NET
• SQL
• ASP.NET
• PowerBuilder
• Delphi
• HTML

Digital Media – Creative, Design and Development

The burgeoning online world has established the need for digital design, development and architecture specialists whose understanding is far broader than website development. Today’s digital specialists need to have a solid appreciation of the web space, the role it plays and how it is influencing commerce and industry to help a company grow and succeed.

It’s an exciting and at the same time challenging field because the web is continually transforming, offering up new opportunities and facilitating fresh concepts, which in itself makes it hard to keep pace. The boundless possibilities within digital media are attracting real high flyers, innovators, creators and evangelists ready to shape the future.

As an IT recruitment specialist we pride ourselves with keeping informed about the changes within the industry. If you need to recruit a new digital specialist we will ensure we source you someone who is qualified and experienced in both the business and technical aspects, who understands digital strategy and is able to demonstrate acumen and energy.

Infrastructure, Systems and Support

IT infrastructure

IT infrastructure architecture skills play a vital role in organisations working to align long-term business strategies and technology as there are now so many IT functions within a company. 

IT infrastructure comprises: all of the hardware – looking after servers, data centres, switches, hubs; software developing ERP, CRM and other productivity applications; network resources  controlling internet connectivity, monitoring firewall and security issues.

It also provides the delivery mechanism for IT services and solutions used by employees, customers, partners and other stakeholders – both internal and external.

Within any organisation, the IT Systems consist of all the hardware, software and networking services that are used to collect, filter, process and distribute data. There are different types of information system including:

• Data warehousing.
• ERP (enterprise resource planning).
• Enterprise systems
• Expert systems (emulating the decision-making ability of human beings).
• Office automation.

Database Systems

Managing data collection is the big challenge of the 21st century as so many applications capture and store information on a user.  This information is stored in a database system specifically designed to enable enterprises to organise, model and analyse the data.

There are several well-known database management systems including: Microsoft SQL Server; Oracle; MySQL; dBASE; Sybase; IBM DB2; Ingres; Informix; MS Access and others.

IT Support

Working in an IT support function is a highly important and varied role; the role can cover anything from computer system installation and configuration, diagnosing problems and finding solutions, acting as the online helpdesk support, through to system monitoring and maintenance, analysing call logs to uncover trends and latent issues.

As an IT recruitment company we can help source for a variety of IT Support roles including: systems support analysts; support engineers; helpdesk operators; application/software support; systems administrators and technicians.

Before we provide you with a short list of people we believe are right for you, we take the time to ensure people come to you through the right career path that has enabled them to acquire the necessary skillset and experience. We excel at the challenge of recruiting outstanding people who can join your company in one of these roles.

Our recruitment covers the following areas:

• Windows
• Unix
• Linux
• Virtualization
• Networks
• Oracle
• SQL Server
• IBM DB2
• Sybase
• MySQL
• CRM
• Informix
• Ingres
• MS Access
• DBA
• Administration
• Support

Quality Assurance, Quality Control and Software Testing

Quality assurance

Quality assurance is a planned and systematic practice that evaluates not only the quality of the end product but the processes deployed in its production. In terms of software development, such a method will be a software quality assurance engineer’s responsibility whose job will be to prevent bugs from occurring in a product under development by improving the development process. The aim of quality assurance is to make sure (and provide tangible assurances) that the product will meet customers’ quality expectations. A specialist QA role will also consist of auditing, reporting and testing development procedures.

Quality control

In many organisations the same person may cover both the Quality Assurance and Quality Control roles, although there are distinct differences.  Quality Control is the process by which software products are evaluated and tested, defects highlighted and solutions suggested by software testers. QC engineers implement the practices established by Quality Assurance.

Software testing

The key aim of software testing is to find bugs and defects, then to fix them as early in the software lifecycle as possible. A software tester has in important role to confirm the correctness, completeness, security and quality of software products, whether they have been developed internally (for in-house use) or for the open market.

By specialising in just IT recruitment, we at Xist4 recognise the differences between these three areas but also appreciate how they overlap in some cases (in accordance with specific client instructions).

IT Service Management

IT service management is a customer-focused approach to delivering information technology. The service lifecycle (ITIL) is the overall framework for identifying, defining, managing and retiring IT services. ITIL's systematic approach to IT management helps companies improve IT services, reduce spending and deliver a better level of customer service. The various ITIL processes are grouped into five stages of the service lifecycle: service strategy; design; transition; operation and continuous improvement.

For these roles, we will look for people who team players, who are both customer and service focused, since they need to good at problem solving and able to manage the service lifecycle. 

IT Governance, Risk, Compliance and IT Security

IT governance helps businesses and organisations enable their objectives effectively and efficiently while adhering to compliance and regulation. Companies need to pay particular attention to all aspects of their IT security, from information security, network security, cyber security and application security.

System security is an essential element of IT governance and many organisations and enterprises now face an ever increasing and changing threat profile alongside a myriad of regulatory requirements, which are themselves constantly being adapted. There is a growing need to manage risk as much as efficiency.

Some common role requirements for IT governance and security specialists are:

• Overseeing the establishment, implementation and adherence to governance and information security strategies, policies and standards.
• Communicating with management to ensure support for programmes.
• Conducting risk management activities: risk assessment, gap analysis, business impact analysis and so on.
• Knowledge and experience of implementing information security programmes.
• Assisting in the configuration, validation and delivery of tailored client solutions.
• Undertaking IT health checks and vulnerability assessments, individually or on team testing engagements.
• Conducting end-to-end testing activities, identifying vulnerabilities and recommending corrective action.

When recruiting for an IT governance role Xist4 will ensure that everyone we suggest has the abilities and experience that matches your system’s specific requirements.  We particularly look for risk assessment ability, security awareness and to see if someone understands forensic examination of evidence. Some of the primary areas that we cover are: IT GRC, Risk Management, IT Security, Cyber Security, Network Security, Application Security.

Enterprise Architecture, Service Orientated Architecture and Middleware

Enterprise architecture (EA)

EA is the practice of applying an holistic approach to enterprise analysis, design, planning and implementation in order to successfully develop and execute business strategy.

Service Orientated Architecture (SOA)

SOA is a way of designing and building software based around the provision of services. Through SOA, organisations can bring better and more enhanced services to market quickly.

There are many SOA concepts and principles, each of which demands specific knowledge and experience from those who work within its realm.

Middleware

Middleware was initially created to address the problem of linking newer applications with old legacy computing systems. More recent middleware concepts provide services to software applications beyond those available from the operating system. It is often described as the ‘software glue’ between two otherwise separate but existing programs.
 

Project, Programme and Change Management

Project managers

A project manager is responsible for the planning, management, co-ordination and financial control of information technology projects. They ensure that requirements are met and that the project is completed on time and within budget. They also minimise the possibility of scope creep and ensure everyone involved is fulfilling their duties.

Programme managers

Similarly a programme manager will also plan, implement and execute specific company goals and policies but theirs is a more in-depth responsibility. A programme manager is more likely to be co-ordinating groups of related projects rather than individual ones, which means they manage horizontally rather than vertically (like a project manager). The primary goal is to leverage return on investment, increase efficiency and control project costs. This role, therefore, requires technical prowess, leadership skill and business acumen.

Change management specialist

Companies constantly need to adopt and adapt to survive; a change management specialist has a vital role to play in this evolution by ensuring any change initiatives introduced met objectives, on time and within budget.  They monitor how effective the change has been by examining employee adoption and if usage has increased.

The changes that they typically oversee include introducing a different business processes, alternative systems and technology, amending job roles or even examining the organisational structure. Although the job description is slightly different in each case, the ultimate end goal is the same and all of these roles require similar talents, experience, qualifications and characteristics, such as:

• Organisational, analytical and numeracy skills.
• Commercial awareness.
• The ability to communicate and negotiate effectively and work as part of a team.
• Diplomacy and problem solving.
• The ability to motivate people.
• Management experience.
• Flexibility and creativity.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Experience of delivering projects and programs.

This role of a change management specialist is very people focused; it is a perfect example of how our thorough process can help identify the right talented people by assuring that a potential candidate has the necessary qualifications, experience, ability and flair to become a real asset to your organisation.
 

Business Intelligence, Business Analysis and Management Information

Business Intelligence (BI)

BI is the methodology, processes, technology and structure used to transform raw data into meaningful and profitable information for businesses. Anyone working in BI may be involved in some or all of the following: measurement; analytics; data mining; reporting; collaborating and knowledge management.

Business Analysis (BA)

BA identifies and determines the business need through analysis of information and solutions to business problems and this can include system development, process improvement, organisational change, strategic planning and policy development.

Management information (MI)

At its most basic, Management information incorporates the facts, figures and statistics required by management to keep the business on track. Management information systems encompasses all aspects of IT including hardware, software, database engines, data and distributed architecture.  Their main function is to deliver information to wherever it is needed within the organisation.

There’s a lot of noise about ‘big data’ in business today as companies and organisations struggle to develop worthwhile ways in which to use and exploit the information they have about customers and markets - to say nothing of how to capture, store, analyse and extrapolate it. But doing so successfully can be transformational, a true differentiator and transport them into world-beater status.

The expertise that employers are looking for here can be anything from strategists and visionaries, with a sound comprehension of what big data means to their organisation, to the tactical operators who can manage the knowledge processes on a day-to-day basis.

The job description for anyone involved in this specialism can include:

• Data preparation (sourcing, acquisition, integration).
• Data warehousing.
• Reporting, analytics and data exploration.
• Information delivery.
• Developing and implementing plans for BI improvement.
• Defining KPIs (key performance indicators).
• Assuring data quality and IT compliance.
• Business Analysis.

Working with you Xist4 would ensure we sourced someone talented and highly qualified, with relevant experience and career background.

Quantitative Research, Analysis and Development

Quantitative analysis (QA) and development is no longer the preserve of mathematicians or the Stock Exchange trading floor where it began as a means by which mathematical modelling was used to assess financial risk, set pricing and other strategic steps. Increased use of computers in data modelling and analysis means the requirement is much more for data scientists with programming skill than for academic PhDs.

QA is now exploited by large companies in all areas of business to determine factors such as pricing, identifying profitable opportunities and managing risk. Having worked within IT recruitment for the past 14 years, Xist4 knows what to look for when sourcing this kind of expert ability for our clients.