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Computer Certification: 2007 in Review and a Peek at What Lies Ahead
Based on several developments during 2007, a certification resurgence may be in the works. We offer a few suggestions to help it along.
Published January 3, 2008
There was plenty going on in the certification marketplace in 2007, and the industry is showing signs of emerging from the relative doldrums of the last few years. From players large to small, certification vendors kept busy rolling out new exams and updating existing ones to incorporate the latest products and technologies. Going beyond maintenance, certification vendors are exhibiting an increasing will to revitalize the perception of computer certifications by employers and certification candidates, not just through wishful thinking, but with concrete action plans. It is not clear yet, however, how strong the will is to do this and what resources will truly be put into it, so success is far from assured.
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- No Shortage of New Certifications - Most Notable New Certification - Trends in Testing - Revitalizing Certification Value - 2008 |
No Shortage of New Certification Options
Throughout 2007, certification vendors continued to show their commitment to the day to day business of running certification programs. Microsoft, of course, was full of activity as usual, adding certifications for Microsoft Dynamics products and a new business certification program for Microsoft Office 2007 to replace the Microsoft Office Specialist program, as well as rolling out a batch of new exams including additional Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) tracks and Windows Vista exams and retiring old ones.
Also among the busiest, Cisco Systems rolled out a new entry level certification, the Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT), which is a stepping stone to their former first level certification, the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). They also launched a line of certifications for data center professionals and revamped the CCNA and CCDP exams and two new security certifications, Cisco Network Admission Control Specialist and Cisco IOS Security Specialist.
Sun Microsystems launched certifications for its latest platform versions, including Sun Certified Programmer for the Java Platform (SCJP), Standard Edition 6 and Sun Certified Systems Administrator for Sun Cluster 3.2 Software.
CompTIA launched Convergence+ and PDI+ (printing and document imaging), Lotus released Domino 8 developer exams, Cognos completely revamped its program, the Linux Professional Institute (LPI) finally activated its LPIC level 3 certification, SANS created the GIAC Secure Software Programmer (GSSP), and IBM and Nortel kept up a continual roll out of exams tied to new product releases. Numerous other vendors added or updated certifications this year or launched entirely new programs.
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