Information Technology

Information Technology Resources

The focus of this page is to provide brief descriptions and links to key industry, government and educational resources available on the Information Technology industry in general and specifically in North Carolina.

Industry Associations
  1. North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA): NCTA is the official voice of the Information Technology industry in North Carolina. NCTA is dedicated to growing and strengthening the IT industry through increasing public awareness and influencing key public policy issues. NCTA is a member of TECNA.
  2. Technology Councils of North America (TECNA): The Council of Regional Information Technology Associations (CRITA) represents over 50 IT and technology trade organizations that in turn represent more than 22,000 technology-related companies in the Americas.
  3. Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC): The SRC, headquartered in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park, operates multiple research programs both in the U.S. as well as globally to provide competitive advantage to its members as the world’s premier university research management consortium delivering early research results which also enables relevantly educated technical talent.
  4. Microelectronics Center of North Carolina (MCNC): MCNC was initiated in 1980 as a non-profit, state-funded organization that was intended to serve as a catalyst for technology-based economic development throughout the state. The organization played a key role in promoting the early IT and semiconductor industries in North Carolina, particularly through the innovative NCREN education and research broadband network.
  5. Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA): The SIA is the primary industry association and lobbying body for the US semiconductor industry. The SIA website features information about national and global semiconductors industry, as well as news links and industry statistics. Founded in 1977 by five microelectronics pioneers, SIA unites companies that account for 80 percent of America’s semiconductor production.
  6. Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA): SIIA is the principal trade association for the software and digital content industry. The organization publishes several newsletters, hosts events for industry stakeholders, and lobbies on behalf of the industry.
  7. Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP): AITP is the main worldwide association for information technology professionals. The organization supports members through professional development events and lobbying activities on behalf of the profession. Regional chapters can be found throughout the US and the world, including an RTP chapter and a Charlotte Chapter.
  8. Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CEDNC): Private non-profit organization founded in 1984 dedicated to stimulating the creation and growth of high-impact companies in the general RTP area. The website is a location for entrepreneurs, investors, service professionals, academicians, researchers and public policy makers who want to take advantage of the entrepreneurial chances in the area.
  9. TechAmerica: The Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) is the leading trade association of the nation's information technology industry. The web site provides information about the IT industry, its issues, association programs, publications, meetings and seminars.

Education & Training
  1. North Carolina State University: The Electrical and Computer Engineering program at NCSU’s College of Engineering prepares graduates with the skills to work in design and production stages of semiconductors and some IT value chains. The Technology Incubator located at NCSU’s Centennial Campus hosts multiple dynamic high-tech start-ups.
  2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: UNC-Chapel Hill’s Computer Science department graduates several undergraduate and graduate students each year, feeding the growing gaming hub in the Research Triangle, and has spun off several companies in the areas of virtual reality, gaming and medical diagnostic imaging.
  3. NC STEM: NC STEM guides the statewide effort to improve the quality of education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The organization has developed a network of schools and districts to adopt cutting-edge STEM education programs, catalogued STEM assets across the state, developed standards for statewide STEM education, and created a web portal for citizens to identify STEM resources in their communities.
  4. North Carolina Community College System: Community Colleges throughout the state of North Carolina offer degree programs for skills relevant to the information technology industry.
  5. RENCI (Renaissance Computing Institute): RENCI was launched in 2004 as a collaborative effort involving UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University and North Carolina State University to develop and deploy advanced technologies to enable research discoveries and practical innovations. The organization also partners with researchers, policy makers, and technology leaders to engage and solve challenges facing North Carolina, the nation and the world.

Government Resources
  1. Thrive in NC: Information and Communications Technology: This site, hosted by the NC Department of Commerce, offers information about the IT industry in North Carolina, including information about firms, the workforce and government policies. Though primarily intended to attract the attention of businesses which might relocate to North Carolina, the site’s resources are of interest to a broad audience.

Web-based Resources
  1. InfoWorld: InfoWorld bills itself as “the leading source of information on emerging enterprise technologies, and the only brand that explains to senior technology decision makers how these technologies work, and how they can use them to drive their business.” The site provides “hands-on analysis and evaluation, as well as expert commentary on issues surrounding emerging technologies and products

Books, Reports & Articles
  1. Ohnesorg, Lauren. (2013, October 4). "Cisco's worldwide round of layoffs hits RTP", Triangle Business Journal.
  2. Ortutay, Barbara. (2013, July 10). "NC power Lenovo takes PC crown", Capital Broadcasting Company. Raleigh.
  3. Smith, Rick. (2012, October 9). "As sales near $3B, SAS keeps hiring, plans two buildings in Cary", Capital Broadcasting Company. Raleigh.
  4. WRAL. (2012, January 6). "Red Hat recruiting open-source firms to Raleigh", Capital Broadcasting Company. Raleigh.
  5. WRAL. (2011. June 13). "Cree lights way to Obama's jobs vision", Capital Broadcasting Company. Raleigh.
  6. NC-Now. (2011, January 21). "Video Game Industry in NC". UNC TV, Chapel Hill.
  7. Morgan, Jonathan. (2011, January 4). "North Carolina’s Emerging Data Center Cluster", UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government, Community and Economic Development Blog.
  8. Dean, Heather. (2010, July 30). "NC Tax Incentives designed to grow interactive gaming & digital media industry", TechJournal, RTP.
  9. WRAL. (2006, November 10). "SAS To Move International Headquarters To Cary", Capital Broadcasting Company, Raleigh.