What’s Next After ITIL Foundations?

ITIL^® is the most widely adopted approach for IT Service Management in the world. It provides a practical, no-nonsense framework for identifying, planning, delivering, and supporting IT services to your business plan.

The ITIL Foundations course, which was designed for those looking to begin or accelerate a career in IT Service Management (ITSM), introduces students to the key elements, concepts, and terminology used in the ITILService Lifecycle. One of the primary goals of this course, obviously, is to prepare students for the ITIL Foundations certification exam. Still, many are often left wondering about next steps. 

Writing Web Applications that Access SQL Databases

Guest Author: Rob Foulkrod, Technical Instructor

I was recently asked a question by a prospective student, who was just beginning to get into web app development, and while emailing my response, I thought that the information would also be valuable to many professionals out there who are interested to learn more about what's covered in some of our popular Microsoft Visual Studio courses. Below is the question, followed by my response.

How Web & Print Designers Should Utilize Color

With so much design done on the web, color is no longer something designers have to work into their budgets. But that doesn’t mean it’s a free-for-all. As designers, we still have to think about color palettes and corporate standards, but sometimes it’s difficult to rein in the creativity. You may think, “What does it matter? It doesn’t cost any more to use 20 colors in my design?” But it does matter; just because you have access to every hex color out there, it doesn’t mean you should go crazy with color.

7 Programming Languages for Beginner Developers

Our team of instructors are frequently asked: “What programming languages should I learn?” and the response is often: “There's no one correct answer, but there is somewhat of a progression that most programmers and developers take. Start with the basics, and slowly move into the more detailed programming languages.”

Top 5 Non-Technical Skills Every Web Developer Should Have

Web Development continues to be one of the hottest industries, and the demand for skilled professionals shows no signs of slowing. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, driven by the growing popularity of mobile devices and ecommerce, employment of Web Developers is projected to grow 15% from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. 

DevOps & Software Development

Since the needs of consumers and businesses are continuously evolving, the way we build software is changing. Software used to be some sort of still life, in the same way your desktop just sat on your desk, but today, it’s everywhere, constantly changing and moving forward—like the new phone in your pocket or the tablet in your bag.

Best Practices When Designing a Logo (The Black-and-White of It)

I’m sure designers that began their career using computers approach logo design differently than designers that jot their ideas down with pad and pencil (shout out to all of us who have received the famous “napkins ideas” from the client). But one thing stays true: In order to design a good logo, you must design it in black and white first. All design is a process, and designing a logo is no different. I strongly believe if you start in black and white, you won’t get distracted by color or color placement. And by following this one simple rule, you will get to the end result faster.

7 Skill Areas Required for a Digital Transformation

Digital Transformation (DX) is the application of digital technologies to improve the performance or reach of a business, and it will continue to be an important topic for companies across the globe. Executives in all industries are using digital advances, such as data analytics, mobility, social media, and smart embedded devices (IoT) to change customer relationships, internal processes, and value propositions.

Digital Transformation: New Skills Needed in All IT Professions

Guest Author: Eric Bloom, Manager Mechanics

When I describe Digital Transformation (DX) to people, I like to explain it as an enhanced version of Business Process Reengineering (BPR). BPR is the examination and redesign of existing business processes and workflows. Digital Transformation (DX) is the use of digital technologies to enhance processes, create products, reuse data, and perform other activities with many goals, including:

4 Tips for New Graphic Designers

Being a good designer is not just about make things look pretty, it’s about solving problems. Whether you design for the web, have your hands in printed marketing materials, or design large scale projects, it’s all the same: You need to know your audience, solve the problem, make it look amazing, and stay within budget. Sounds easy enough, but any one of these can trip you up through the design process.