Camden , New Jersey Microsoft Training

Since you asked for the three most important things that non-programmers should know about, and I’ve spent most of my career working with more non-programmers than programmers, I have a few interesting things that would help.

Number One - It Is Impossible To Accurately Estimate Software Projects

No matter what is tried. No matter what tool, agile approach, or magic fairy dust people try to apply to creating software… accurately predicting software project timelines is basically impossible.

There are many good reasons for this. Usually, requirements and feature ideas change on a daily/weekly basis. Often it is impossible to know what needs to be done without actually digging into the code itself. Debugging and QA can take an extraordinary amount of time.

And worst of all…

Project Managers are always pushing for shorter timelines. They largely have no respect for reality. So, at some point they are given estimates just to make them feel better about planning.

No matter how much planning and estimation you do, it will be wrong. At best it will be directionally correct +/- 300% of what you estimated. So, a one year project could actually take anywhere between 0 and 5 years, maybe even 10 years.

If you think I’m joking, look at how many major ERP projects that go over time and over budget by many years and many hundreds of millions of dollars. Look at the F-35 fighter jet software issues.

Or in the small, you can find many cases where a “simple bug fix” can take days when you thought it was hours.

All estimates are lies made up to make everyone feel better. I’ve never met a developer or manager who could accurately estimate software projects even as well as the local weatherman(or woman) predicts the weather.

Number Two - Productivity Is Unevenly Distributed

What if I told you that in the average eight hour work day the majority of the work will get done in a 30 minute timeframe? Sound crazy?

Well, for most programmers there is a 30–90 minute window where you are extraordinarily productive. We call this the flow state.

Being in the flow state is wonderful and amazing. It often is where the “magic” of building software happens.

Getting into flow can be difficult. It’s akin to meditation in that you have to have a period of uninterrupted focus of say 30 minutes to “get in” the flow, but a tiny interruption can pull you right out.

Now consider the modern workplace environment. Programmers work in open office environments where they are invited to distract each other constantly.

Most people need a 1–2 hour uninterrupted block to get 30–90 minutes of flow.

Take the 8 hour day and break it in half with a lunch break, and then pile in a few meetings and all of a sudden you are lucky to get one decent flow state session in place.

That is why I say that most of the work that gets done happens in a 30 minute timeframe. The other 7–8 hours are spent being distracted, answering email, going to meetings, hanging around the water cooler, going to the bathroom, and trying to remember what you were working on before all these distractions.

Ironically, writers, musicians, and other creative professionals have their own version of this problem and largely work alone and away from other people when they are creating new things.

Someday the programming world might catch on, but I doubt it.

Even if this became obvious, it doesn’t sit well with most companies to think that programmers would be paid for an 8 hour day and only be cranking out code for a few hours on a good day. Some corporate middle manager would probably get the bright idea to have mandatory flow state training where a guru came in and then there would be a corporate policy from a pointy haired boss mandating that programmers are now required to spend 8 hours a day in flow state and they must fill out forms to track their time and notify their superiors of their flow state activities, otherwise there would be more meetings about the current flow state reports not being filed correctly and that programmers were spending too much time “zoning out” instead of being in flow.

Thus, programmers would spent 7–8 hours a day pretending to be in flow state, reporting on their progress, and getting all their work done in 30 minutes of accidental flow state somewhere in the middle of all that flow state reporting.

If you think I’m joking about this, I’m not. I promise you this is what would happen to any company of more than 2 employees. (Even the ones run by programmers.)

Number Three - It Will Cost 10x What You Think

Being a programmer, I get a lot of non-programmers telling me about their brilliant app ideas. Usually they want me to build something for free and are so generous as to pay me up to 5% of the profits for doing 100% of the work.

Their ideas are just that good.

Now, I gently tell them that I’m not interested in building anything for free.

At that point they get angry, but a few ask how much it will cost. I give them a reasonable (and very incorrect) estimate of what it would cost to create the incredibly simple version of their app idea.

Let’s say it’s some number like $25,000.

They look at me like I’m a lunatic, and so I explain how much it costs to hire a contract programmer and how long it will actually take. For example’s sake let’s say it is $100/hr for 250 hours.

To be clear, these are made up numbers and bad estimates (See Number One for details…)

In actuality, to build the actual thing they want might cost $250,000, or even $2,500,000 when it’s all said and done.

Building software can be incredibly complex and expensive. What most people can’t wrap their head around is the fact that a company like Google, Apple, or Microsoft has spent BILLIONS of dollars to create something that looks so simple to the end user.

Somehow, the assumption is that something that looks simple is cheap and fast to build.

Building something simple and easy for the end user is time consuming and expensive. Most people just can’t do it.

So, the average person with a brilliant app idea thinks it will cost a few hundred or maybe a few thousand dollars to make and it will be done in a weekend is so off the mark it’s not worth considering their ideas.

And programmers are too eager to play along with these bad ideas (by making bad estimates and under charging for their time) that this notion is perpetuated to the average non-programmer.

So, a good rule of thumb is that software will cost 10 times as much as you think and take 10 times as long to finish.

And that leads to a bonus point…

BONUS - Software Is Never Done

Programmers never complete a software project, they only stop working on it. Software is never done.

I’ve worked at many software companies and I’ve never seen a software project “completed”.

Sure, software gets released and used. But, it is always changing, being updated, bugs get fixed, and there are always new customer requests for features.

Look at your favorite software and you’ll quickly realize how true this is. Facebook, Instagram, Google Search, Google Maps, GMail, iOS, Android, Windows, and now even most video games are never done.

There are small armies of developers just trying to keep all the software you use every day stable and bug free. Add on the fact that there are always feature requests, small changes, and new platforms to deal with, it’s a treadmill.

So, the only way out of the game is to stop working on software. At that point, the software begins to decay until it is no longer secure or supported.

Think about old Windows 3.1 software or maybe old Nintendo Cartridge video games. The current computers and video game consoles don’t even attempt to run that software anymore.

You can’t put an old video game in your new Nintendo Switch and have it “just work”. That is what happens when you think software is done.

When programmers stop working on software the software starts to die. The code itself is probably fine, but all the other software keeps moving forward until your software is no longer compatible with the current technology.

So, those are the four most important things that non-programmers should know about programming. I know you asked for only three, so I hope the bonus was valuable to you as well.

Using Your C Training to Help During IT Interviews

[Oct, 11, 2012] |
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The job market is extremely tight these days, with several qualified workers being available for each empty position. That means that should you find yourself looking for work, for whatever reason, you need to make sure your interview skills are up to snuff. We will be taking a look at a variety of different tips that will help ensure your success during the interview process, including how to make sure your employers know about your C training experience. Here are some others:

Do your own research in advance – Before you even step through the doorway to initiate the application process with a company, you should already know quite a bit about it. Investigate the corporate culture, speak with contacts who have experience with the firm, or search online; however you do it, having as much information as possible can really help you get an advantage during the hiring process. If you have specific experience, such as C training, that is of exceptional value to the firm you are applying to you can market yourself more effectively to the hiring agent.
Dress Appropriately – In a perfect world, programming skill and experience such as C training should be the only factors in consideration when looking at a prospective hire; in real life this is often not the case. Don’t miss out because you gave a bad impression to someone, and strive to look your absolute best during your job interview. It is unfortunate, but the IT industry in particular tends to have a reputation for lacking in this department, so breaking the mold can be of great benefit to you.
Be ready to interview at all times – You may be surprised how often job candidates are asked to participate in an off-the-cuff phone interview on the spot. Same-day in person interviews also are rising in popularity. Make sure you are always able to respond quickly if these situations come up and you get a fast interview. Memorize a few points in advance you can use to pump yourself up, such as an anecdote about your C training or other particular skills you may possess.

Job interviews are notoriously stressful for many people. Using simple tips like these can help you to prepare in advance for situations you may encounter during the interview process, and help you ultimately secure that new job. Make sure to emphasize whatever makes you special as an individual, such as your extensive C training.

Blaze Advisor Consulting / Consultants

[Dec, 12, 2012] |
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Since its foundation, HSG has been a leader in Business Rule Management Systems Training and Consulting services by way of the Blaze Advisor Rule Engine. Over the years we have provided such services to many of the worlds largest corporations and government institutions whose respective backgrounds include credit card processing, banking, insurance, health and medicine and more, much more. Such training and consulting services have included:

Create a wrapper object model in either Java, .NET or XML

Identify and catalog business rules

Develop a rule architecture within Blaze Advisor that isolates rule repositories as they relate to functionality and corporate policies

Configure, develop and implement a variety of interfaces to the rule engine from disparate systems ranging from mainframe applications written in Cobol to UNIX/Windows applications using Enterprise Java Beans, Windows Services, Web Services, Fat Clients, Java Messaging Services and Web Applications.

Review and update code to boost efficiency either by way of

    Removing functions calls within conditional statements

    Ensuring that database calls are essential or can be rearchitected in some other manner

    Employing the rete algorithm where necessary

    Paring down extensively large class models

    Deploying such appliations in multi-threaded systems

·         ...

Call us if you:

    are in need of Blaze Advisor Expertise
    are developing SMEs in Blaze
    want to speak directly with an expert (no placement agencies)
    want an affordable alternative to FICO
    want to work with an industry leader

Tech Life in New Jersey

New Jersey has the highest population density in the U.S. With an average of 1,030 people per square mile, itâ€™s thirteen times the national average. Given the amount of residents in the Garden State, itâ€™s no wonder that there are 2,700 software and software related companies. Developers in New Jersey should be able to pave their way with the available resources in town such as, Zylog Systems, Mformation, Agilence, Db Technology, Senid Software International and so many other similar institutions.

You know more than you think you do. ~ Benjamin Spock

other Learning Options

Software developers near Camden have ample opportunities to meet like minded techie individuals, collaborate and expend their career choices by participating in Meet-Up Groups. The following is a list of Technology Groups in the area.

Learn Mobile and Web Development · New Jersey Linux User Group · South Jersey MongoDB Users Group ·

Fortune 500 and 1000 companies in New Jersey that offer opportunities for Microsoft Office developers

Company Name	City	Industry	Secondary Industry
HCB, Inc.	Paramus	Retail	Office Supplies Stores
Wyndham Worldwide Corp.	Parsippany	Travel, Recreation and Leisure	Hotels, Motels and Lodging
Realogy Corporation	Parsippany	Real Estate and Construction	Real Estate Agents and Appraisers
Church and Dwight Co., Inc.	Trenton	Manufacturing	Manufacturing Other
Curtiss-Wright Corporation	Parsippany	Manufacturing	Aerospace and Defense
American Water	Voorhees	Energy and Utilities	Water Treatment and Utilities
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.	Teaneck	Computers and Electronics	IT and Network Services and Support
The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. - AandP	Montvale	Retail	Grocery and Specialty Food Stores
COVANCE INC.	Princeton	Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and Biotech	Pharmaceuticals
K. Hovnanian Companies, LLC.	Red Bank	Real Estate and Construction	Architecture,Engineering and Design
Burlington Coat Factory Corporation	Burlington	Retail	Clothing and Shoes Stores
GAF Materials Corporation	Wayne	Manufacturing	Concrete, Glass, and Building Materials
Pinnacle Foods Group LLC	Parsippany	Manufacturing	Food and Dairy Product Manufacturing and Packaging
Actavis, Inc	Parsippany	Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and Biotech	Pharmaceuticals
Hudson City Savings Bank	Paramus	Financial Services	Banks
Celgene Corporation	Summit	Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and Biotech	Biotechnology
Cytec Industries Inc.	Woodland Park	Manufacturing	Chemicals and Petrochemicals
Campbell Soup Company	Camden	Manufacturing	Food and Dairy Product Manufacturing and Packaging
Covanta Holding Corporation	Morristown	Energy and Utilities	Energy and Utilities Other
New Jersey Resources Corporation	Wall Township	Energy and Utilities	Gas and Electric Utilities
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated	Madison	Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and Biotech	Diagnostic Laboratories
Rockwood Holdings Inc.	Princeton	Manufacturing	Chemicals and Petrochemicals
Heartland Payment Systems, Incorporated	Princeton	Financial Services	Credit Cards and Related Services
IDT Corporation	Newark	Telecommunications	Wireless and Mobile
John Wiley and Sons, Inc	Hoboken	Media and Entertainment	Newspapers, Books and Periodicals
Bed Bath and Beyond	Union	Retail	Retail Other
The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc.	Secaucus	Retail	Clothing and Shoes Stores
Hertz Corporation	Park Ridge	Travel, Recreation and Leisure	Rental Cars
Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated	Newark	Energy and Utilities	Gas and Electric Utilities
Selective Insurance Group, Incorporated	Branchville	Financial Services	Insurance and Risk Management
Avis Budget Group, Inc.	Parsippany	Travel, Recreation and Leisure	Rental Cars
Prudential Financial, Incorporated	Newark	Financial Services	Insurance and Risk Management
Merck and Co., Inc.	Whitehouse Station	Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and Biotech	Pharmaceuticals
Honeywell International Inc.	Morristown	Manufacturing	Aerospace and Defense
C. R. Bard, Incorporated	New Providence	Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and Biotech	Medical Supplies and Equipment
Sealed Air Corporation	Elmwood Park	Manufacturing	Plastics and Rubber Manufacturing
The Dun and Bradstreet Corp.	Short Hills	Business Services	Data and Records Management
The Chubb Corporation	Warren	Financial Services	Insurance and Risk Management
Catalent Pharma Solutions Inc	Somerset	Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and Biotech	Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, and Biotech Other
Becton, Dickinson and Company	Franklin Lakes	Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and Biotech	Medical Supplies and Equipment
NRG Energy, Incorporated	Princeton	Energy and Utilities	Gas and Electric Utilities
TOYS R US, INC.	Wayne	Retail	Department Stores
Johnson and Johnson	New Brunswick	Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and Biotech	Pharmaceuticals
Automatic Data Processing, Incorporated (ADP)	Roseland	Business Services	HR and Recruiting Services

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the hartmann software group advantage

why take Microsoft Office Training with the hartmann software group?

A successful career as a software developer or other IT professional requires a solid understanding of software development processes, design patterns, enterprise application architectures, web services, security, networking and much more. The progression from novice to expert can be a daunting endeavor; this is especially true when traversing the learning curve without expert guidance. A common experience is that too much time and money is wasted on a career plan or application due to misinformation.

The Hartmann Software Group understands these issues and addresses them and others during any training engagement. Although no IT educational institution can guarantee career or application development success, HSG can get you closer to your goals at a far faster rate than self paced learning and, arguably, than the competition. Here are the reasons why we are so successful at teaching:

Learn from the experts.
1. We have provided software development and other IT related training to many major corporations in New Jersey since 2002.
2. Our educators have years of consulting and training experience; moreover, we require each trainer to have cross-discipline expertise i.e. be Java and .NET experts so that you get a broad understanding of how industry wide experts work and think.
Discover tips and tricks about Microsoft Office programming
Get your questions answered by easy to follow, organized Microsoft Office experts
Get up to speed with vital Microsoft Office programming tools
Save on travel expenses by learning right from your desk or home office. Enroll in an online instructor led class. Nearly all of our classes are offered in this way.
Prepare to hit the ground running for a new job or a new position
See the big picture and have the instructor fill in the gaps
We teach with sophisticated learning tools and provide excellent supporting course material
Books and course material are provided in advance
Get a book of your choice from the HSG Store as a gift from us when you register for a class
Gain a lot of practical skills in a short amount of time
We teach what we know…software
We care…

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