1. Positions for college and university graduates
2. Wide variety of systems and job responsibilities.
3. Opportunity for continuous learning and development.
4. Dynamic industry with room for innovation.

The transportation industry relies heavily on many different technologies, from pc systems and software to midrange business systems to the internet. Since the majority of the workforce is mobile, the transportation industry has been an early adopter of wireless systems. Every facet of the company relies on technology of some sort - from the front office administration, the operations department, the maintenance shop, in the cabs of the trucks and right up the top management of the company. As such, there are a wide variety of opportunities available in the industry.

Training and Education:

Community colleges offer a variety of diploma courses for the practical aspects of the job: Systems Analyst, Computer Programming, Networking and Web Development. For those interested in the management aspect of Information Technology, an I.T. or Applied Sciences degree is advisable. Because of the rapid pace of change in the technology industry, on going training and upgrading of skills is essential.

System Analyst

A system analyst holds a critical position in an IT Department. Not only must they have a thorough understanding of all the computer systems the company uses, they must also have a solid grasp of the business itself. A basic understanding of how all the functional areas of the company inter-relate and how the computer systems they use integrate with each other is required. When changes need to be made to existing systems, the System Analyst needs to determine exactly what the business process is and how to adapt it into existing systems. It is critical to ensure that changes or modifications do not adversely affect the entire system. The analyst determines how the changes need to be made, documents it, and either passes the information on for programming or personally makes the programming changes.

Programmers

The programming staff is responsible for the actual writing and modifications of the programs used to run the business. A logical mind and systematic approach is necessary. Not only must they make the changes, but also thorough testing is required before any new systems or changes are rolled out for use. All departments of a transportation company rely on having up-to-date information readily available at their fingertips. Transportation is an in-the-moment business - customers need to know where their freight is, when it is moving - not weeks later. Therefore it is critical that the utmost care is taken to ensure that any modifications or additions to information systems are well thought out, tested and executed to avoid any possible downtime or degradation of data integrity.

Network Administrator

To gain the full advantage of the many different systems used in a transportation company, it is critical that all the systems are connected and can communicate with each other. Due to the nature of the business, companies often have numerous branches and facilities spread over the country or the continent - branches that need connectivity to host computer systems and telecommunication systems. Network Administrators install, configure and troubleshoot PC's and their peripherals and setup and monitor Local Area and Wide Area networks.

Database Administrator

Maintaining the integrity of the databases is critical. Companies rely on accuracy and availability of information. The transportation business produces a ton of information. Databases quickly grow to a point where they become unmanageable. Response time slows down and people have to wait to get the information they need immediately. A database administer monitors all aspects of the database - monitoring the growth and planning for it; performing upgrades of the operating systems; archiving historical information to ensure rapid response time. They have an in-depth understanding of all the tables and databases that comprise an Information System and how they interrelate.

IT Manager

The IT Manager is ultimately responsible for all the information and communications systems. It is critical to ensure that the reliability, security and integrity of all systems, computing and communications, is maintained. The manager must stay current with changes and enhancements in both the technology and transportation industry in order to deliver effective solutions for both internal and external customers. The manager must also provide a leadership role for the IT Staff - to promote growth, development and creativity.

Web Specialist

The road transportation industry relies heavily on technology, and as such, is quick to embrace new technologies. The advent of the Internet and the opportunities it presents is no exception. May trucking companies rely on the corporate web site for a myriad of purposes ranging from general information and promotion about the company, to detailed schedules of services it provides and job postings. Some companies have incorporated real-time information to customers regarding the location and estimated time of arrival of their shipments. The web specialist maintains the site by keeping information current, and works with other corporate functions to maximize its on-line utility.

PC Specialist

Most companies, including those in the trucking industry rely on personal computers both in network environments, as well as for stand-alone applications. The PC specialist installs, modifies, and makes repairs to microcomputer hardware and software systems, and provides technical assistance and training to computer users. In addition to having knowledge and expertise about the hardware and software, the PC Specialist needs to have a basic understanding about the job functions and applications that each computer is required for.