Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12Winter 2016-2017 8 “It’s a problem that didn’t exist while I was here at Carleton,” he says. “With largescale media distributors looking to expand into previously unknown territory, we’re constantly working with new platforms and pushing the boundaries of what we can do on each of them.” Coughtrey compares You.i TV’s engine to that of a video game, citing the example of how publishers behind “Triple-A” titles, which have the highest development budgets and levels of promotion, need to offer a uniform and timely experience in order to maximize their reach and success. “Something like NHL 17 doesn’t ship in August on the PlayStation and in December on the Xbox,” he explains. “That game has to be available on the same day on every platform. Our engine allows us to do exactly the same kind of thing for media brands.” While Coughtrey’s team focuses on the functionality aspect of You.i TV’s engine, he believes designing the right user interface is just as important. “We deal with companies that contain many brands which are, in essence, polar opposites,” he explains. “Apps based around children’s programming don’t look and feel the same as those featuring crime dramas or reality television because they have completely different audiences and ways in which they want to interact with consumers.” Having previously worked on creating a new operating system for BlackBerry before joining You.i TV, Coughtrey also understands the need for industry leaders to explore new ways of reaching customers or risk falling behind. While recognizing that many companies have invested immense resources to develop the systems that enabled them to be successful, he believes businesses shouldn’t hesitate to rework or replace outdated or so called “legacy” software if it no longer suits consumer needs. “The reality is that all computer systems will eventually become legacy software,” he says. “The next big thing is always just around the corner and sometimes businesses need to take a look at their core technologies and answer the hard question of which elements are still relevant and which might be holding them back.” Looking back at his experience at Carleton, Coughtrey also explains that today’s students shouldn’t overwhelm themselves by thinking they need to know everything about the newest technologies upon graduation. “At this point in our society, there are always going to be new technologies that will emerge and alter the playing field,” he says. “We can’t always predict where industries are headed, so the most important thing you can do is ensure you’re developing the tools you’ll need to adapt to the future.” With digital technologies continuing to evolve and expand across industries, the demand for skilled information technology experts has grown to an all-time high. Recognizing that today’s information technology specialists must develop a greater understanding of what has become an increasingly diverse field, Carleton University’s School of Information Technology has launched three all-new graduate programs that that will provide students with the skills to keep pace in a thriving industry. Introduced in the fall 2016 semester, the Master of Information Technology (MIT) consists of two programs – Network Technology and Digital Media. Both have been designed to address the rapid pace at which these technologies are moving forward, as well as how they are playing an increasingly large role in the needs of industry and society. “The need for new digital media and network solutions is rapidly growing in both public and private sectors,” explains Christopher Smelser, Acting Director of the School of Information Technology. “The Master of Information Technology addresses the needs of industry and society as they relate to existing and emerging technologies and systems.” Those pursuing the Network Technology master’s program will focus on the design, management and operation of computer networks and will develop the research skills needed to pursue careers in areas such as network operations, network security and privacy, cloud computing, cellular mobile networks and the Internet of Things. The Digital Media master’s program will emphasize the development of content and technology for entertainment, education and communication, providing students will the skills necessary for careers in industries focused on media and video game production, natural human-computer interaction methods and educational technologies. For those interested in pursuing information technology at the doctorate level, Carleton has also launched an all-new information technology PhD program in Digital Media, which concentrates on advanced interdisciplinary research to further provide students with the tools to excel in an ever-evolving field. “More than ever before, information technology specialists need a deeper understanding of their field,” says Smelser. “Our PhD graduates will be ideal candidates for private sector companies with strong research and development departments, government agencies in need of advanced digital media solutions and strategies, and universities that offer digital media- related programs.” Carleton Launches All-New Graduate Programs in Information Technology