IBM's Premier Business Partner
Traing Requirements
Course Offered by Arkay
Training Seminars

Arkay's Training Requirements

The Arkay eCommerce team provides application development and integration on a variety of platforms including IBM's iSeries and AS/400. Or staff is certified in WebSphere, Lotus Notes, Java and other key technologies to provide our clients the best in e-Business services. A summary of these skills is listed below as well as a recommended course of training and practice to gain exposure and experience.

eCommerce Technologies

The eCommerce solutions that Arkay provide are based on diverse and dynamic technologies. Each member of the eCommerce team must strive to gain knowledge and experience in all the areas of eCommerce that are listed below.

Check the Careers section of the Arkay web site ( www.arkayusa.com/ArkayCareers.html) for a complete listing of technical requirements for members of the eCommerce team.

Training

The starting point for these technologies is the following:
  • Java/OO
  • Web/Application Server technologies
  • ECommerce case history

    Java

      The Preliminaries
      Java is the key development language for the majority of tools and services that Arkay provides. It is a requirement for all Developers, Project Managers and Architects. The following areas must be understood in order to fully understand and be able to utilize Java. Suggested reading and research material are provided for each.

      • The principals of object orientation.
        • Grady Booch - Object-Oriented Analysis and Design With Applications
          This is a must read. It may be boring but it offers the best introduction to OO.


        • Grady Booch - Managing the Object-Oriented Project
          A must for architects and managers, it is recommended for developers also.


        • Gamma, Helm, Johnson, Vlissdes - Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software
          Gives the developer an excellent view in the power of OO.


      • Function/API based programming.
        • A C++ background is the best introduction into Java. The transition to Java is much simpler. C is also okay.

      • Windows or Unix based development.
        • The majority of development intended for production on any platform is done on Windows NT/98/95. You will find some shops that develop on Unix.

      The Java Language
      The best way to learn Java is to sit with a book explaining the basics of the Java language and actually writing and playing with code. Java training is a good introduction but must be followed up with hands-on use. The following steps should be followed in order to learn Java:
      • Attend an introductory to Java course
        • Arkay has instructors and material in-house.

      • Read Introduction to Java books
        • Bruce Eckel - Thinking in Java


        • David Flanagan - Java in a Nutshell


      • Visit Java-focused Web sites


      • Write code early and often.

      Obtain Java certification
      It is a requirement all Arkay eCommerce developers obtain Java certification. The following resource is available:
      • Roberts, Tuck, and Heller - Complete Java 2 Certification Study Guide

      Server Side Java Development
      This will require an understanding of web and application server technologies. Server-side Java includes servlets and Enterprise Java Beans. The above web sites are excellent sources of information. Others include the following:
      • www.servletsource.com - web site with many good introductory and advanced articles.


      • Jason Hunter - Java Servlet Programming - excellent source for info on servlets.

    Web/Application Server Technologies

    The development and production run-time environment for eCommerce technology is a vast space. Focus should be on the following technologies and tools:
    • Web Technologies

      • TCP/IP - a general understanding of the underlying communication protocol of the web.

      • http/https - Protocol that handles transactions between the browser and the web server.

      • HTML - the markup language understood by all browsers.

      • Web Servers - Tools like Apache and IIS handle the serving of web pages as requested.


    • Application Development and Runtime Platforms

      • Application Servers - Tools like Websphere provide runtime services like failover, scaling and session handling.

      • Third-Party add-ons - Many of these fall in the Java category such as servlet runtimes, JSP and EJB. They provide added services for the running of applications.


      Arkay is aimed at Websphere and the IBM eBusiness framework. The training provided by IBM is a good introduction to the above topics. The courses are aimed at preparing the student for IBM Certified for e-business Solution Designer certification. The courses are as follows:
      • Quick Start Application Framework Self Study CD - available from IBM or Arkay.
      • Application Framework Technology Workshop - available at Arkay via IBM satellite feed.
      • Designing Integrated Solutions Workshop - available at Arkay via IBM satellite feed.

    ECommerce Case History

    Understanding how eCommerce is being utilized in the industry is a valuable tool in learning and applying these technologies. There are a few good sources for this type of information:
    • IBM's Redbooks - although sometimes boring, it is the best source of information on the application of Websphere and the IBM eFramework.
    • The InfoWorld web site - like other trade magazines their corresponding web sites are excellent sources of the application of eCommerce technologies.
    • Newsgroups - there are many newsgroups that focus on the application of eCommerce technologies.