computer knowledge

[Guest]

i have been tech for twenty plus years, i however have very little computer knowledge. the company i am curently working for is pushing me to become more computer savy. i was wondering how many other techs are strickly copier repair and very little if any computer work as am i?

[Akitu]

Re: computer knowledge

I happen to be of a younger generation, been building computers since I was 10 years old. It's ingrained in me by nature, I live around them, breathe them, eat ROM chips for breakfast and pass faulty HDDs by evening.

In the line of work however, my computer interaction is limited mostly to driver installations and scan to email/folder/desktop setups. If requested of me to be doing any router work or networking setup, there's a rather hefty hourly fee and a liability waiver my customers sign stating that any faults that occur after I leave are not a fault of my own doing.

It covers all the bases and leaves me free of worrying about the old "you were in here and did X, and now W, Y and Z don't work!" two weeks after I've already left and everything was running smoothly.

Computers aren't for everyone, they're a bit of a hassle to learn, but once you get the hang of it and learn the art of Google-fu, there's very little computer problems you can't learn to solve without a bit of digging. I would compare it to the old analog techs having to learn some of the digital age equipment, it's just different is all.

[emujo]

Re: computer knowledge

How would you like to be the customer that is told "sorry, I only fix mechanical issues, I have to send out the networking guy"? I'm not saying you have to be an IT expert to do our job, but if you use your laptop for solitare and checking your email only then you need to get up to speed. You need to have a good handle on how networks function, how the MFP interfaces when printing and scanning, and what to do when they stop printing/scanning. All the techs at my company must be able to connect their laptops to the MFP and test print/scan functionality, and assist the customer in troubleshooting the failure point. I'm not saying they must correct the issue, but they must be able to point out that, for instance, the scans are failing due to a login error, or they are printing to the incorrect IP address ect..Soon, all of our techs will have to install and configure advanced scanning software. We have techs that will get involved at a higher level if needed. Most companies offer training to get you where you need to be, but you can also do it on your own through online or physical classrooms. Catch up or be left behind (hopefully with some kind of severance package) Emujo

[Eric1968]

Re: computer knowledge

Since all machines are multifunctionals these days, I think it's essential to have some network knowledge. I don't think it's neccessary to become a network administrator, but some basic knowledge of networking is very important to do the work properly. You just can't install a multifunctial and then telling the customer : "Here are the DVD's that come with the machine, and have fun setting up printing and scanning!". That just doesn't work these days. At my company we install drivers and set up scanning if the customer doesn't have a network administrator, and for the more complex tasks like setting up document management software we hire our own network administrator to do the job.

If I were you I would take every course your boss if offering you. I even think that techs that only service the machine are out of work pretty soon.

[banginbishop]

Re: computer knowledge

there are 2 sides to this. im not trained on networking etc but I have built my own pc and trouble shooted the blue screen of death etc. My old company had its own IT and a separate IT contract so we were advised to inform the customer of any IT issues to speak to their IT first and if they still had a problem then we would send out our IT as it was chargeable - hence why we never touched IT issues.

My new company does trouble shoot IT issues via the engineer and I will be sent on a course but its not always black and white. I'm always one for learning as it helps both parties to work together.

[innovision237]

Re: computer knowledge

i have been tech for twenty plus years, i however have very little computer knowledge. the company i am curently working for is pushing me to become more computer savy. i was wondering how many other techs are strickly copier repair and very little if any computer work as am i?

I have been a tech for 30 years and I have kept up with the times. I have extensive computer knowledge as well as networking knowledge, all learned on the job. I have taken advantage of many networking training offerings by the various manufacturers that we represent. I do, however have one tech who started the same time as I did and who has not kept up to date. His value to our company has taken a hit as a result. I have seen his confidence level drop significantly as well, thus is attitude has also become an issue. This tech refuses to learn the skills that are required of him and it becomes harder to justify keeping him as the world moves on without him. My advice is for you to face your fears and get on track or hope that Wal-mart in your area is hiring, because this industry has no need for old guys like myself unless they have kept up with the pace. I sincerely hope that you will follow through.

[Eric1968]

Re: computer knowledge

I have been a tech for 30 years and I have kept up with the times. I have extensive computer knowledge as well as networking knowledge, all learned on the job. I have taken advantage of many networking training offerings by the various manufacturers that we represent. I do, however have one tech who started the same time as I did and who has not kept up to date. His value to our company has taken a hit as a result. I have seen his confidence level drop significantly as well, thus is attitude has also become an issue. This tech refuses to learn the skills that are required of him and it becomes harder to justify keeping him as the world moves on without him. My advice is for you to face your fears and get on track or hope that Wal-mart in your area is hiring, because this industry has no need for old guys like myself unless they have kept up with the pace. I sincerely hope that you will follow through.

Agreed, I've started with MS-DOS (with the big 5 1/4 floppy's) in the older days at school and when I started working my boss always gave me the chance to keep up with the latest developments. If you don't keep up, you're out of business...

[Kidaver]

Re: computer knowledge

We delivered a machine last week to a school and I went in to the IT's dept room and lo and behold they actually still had a working Apple IIe..I spent a few years of my life fixing those things....Apple supported them for many years after they could have stopped....my senior year in high school I worked part time with my school district's IT...mostly Macintosh comps and printers, and making, running, punching down Cat 5 cable...I started full time with them after I graduated and worked for them several years.....I've worked on industrial line printers, laser printer, dot matrix printers, and thermal printers...I'd say I work on inkjet printers but we all know the universal fix for inkjets is to just buy a new one...I've stayed up on OS on the windows side more than the Mac but I can get around on a Mac if need be...been trained to fix biomedical equipment as well....and all those years of learning all of that stuff.....I'm still learning stuff and will learn lots of new stuff....if a customer asks me something and I don't know the answer I will go and find the answer even if I need to or not...I always enjoy learning new things...and it looks good to the boss too if you do this....makes them want to keep you around...

[Mr Spock]

Re: computer knowledge

How would you like to be the customer that is told "sorry, I only fix mechanical issues, I have to send out the networking guy"?Emujo

I use this when the sales staff does not give me the network setup forms.......

[emujo]

Re: computer knowledge

You don't need no "Stinken DNA"....Emujo

[mojorolla]

Re: computer knowledge

I recently sent this out to our reps after continued blank IT surveys:
badges.jpg

[wseyller]

I do both hardware and networking. I do a lot of the connects for new copiers (drivers, scan to email & smb). Also was trained on a document management software called DocRecord and also on Uniflow for canon. You will need to understand computers when dealing with fiery controllers too. Eventually it will be necessary not optional to have some knowledge of computers and networking as this industry evolves.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[Athlontini]

Re: computer knowledge

My company offers compensation to techs who go out and acquire IT certifications (and a bonus for any you happened to have already). Being computer-savvy is a trait whose worthiness is only going to increase and it will perk up some eyebrows in an interview.

[Synaux]

Re: computer knowledge

Certainly navigating various OS's to install drivers is a must.
I believe networking knowledge is crucial to be self-sustaining.

I guess I am going to be a wise-ass and point out that all MFPs are basically computers with moving parts. And there are literally computers in them in almost the conventional desktop-sense.
I surmise someone much smarter than me could actually install some flavor of Linux on them and run them like desktops, if so desired (with some modification). And your Fierys and Creos are definitely computers with proprietary software--I never tried it, but I am almost willing to bet I could install Linux or Windows on a Fiery and run it like a normal computer.
Moreover a basic understanding in computer language for understanding what is really happening can help. For example, when I first started really working on machines, I ended up explaining what was happening with the software switches on Konica's (binary code) to a tech with 30+ years experience. It was simply intuitive to me, but seemed like a battle for him.
Its only going to get more digital as time passes--sure there will always be your mechanical side to the industry, but I am kind of like Akitu in this--only I eat tablets and smart phones in the morning and pass "bricks" before bed.

There is nothing wrong in developing new skills and with computers it is more often than not, attitude. Like I told my father one day who was having a particularly anti-tech-day:
"Look, if my friend's five year old can figure out this GUI then you can to."

End of my Rantings, Ravings, and Everything Else:
I try to do it all, but depend on computers to get me through mechanical issues

[SargeNZ]

Re: computer knowledge

Even the most basic of networking knowledge will help you get through. "Networking for Dummies" is a good resource, and assumes you know nothing.

There is no excuse for wondering why having the wrong DNS (or none at all) specified means they cannot scan to email, or why dropping a new router in that uses a different IP scheme means noone can print or scan!

Blank IT surveys can be a dream or a nightmare - depends on the site!

I'm also backing up Synaux's story about understanding binary and how switches work. Very handy to know.