CompTIA has developed a
convergence certification to help companes optimise the
benefits that convergence can bring.
Voice and data convergence have become more than network
administration buzzwords and as more enterprises update their
telephony systems by implementing Voice over IP
(
VoIP) systems. As a consequence, network administrators are
being asked to handle the layering of voice onto the data network
and to expand their skills beyond their data-only training, often
illuminating a sizable skills gap.
"Our industry must develop a workforce capable of helping
customers maximise the benefits and opportunities made possible by
the delivery of data, voice and multimedia over the same network,"
said John Venator, president and chief executive officer,
CompTIA.
Leading the call from a number of large enterprises and vendors
to have a standard certification, CompTIA recently introduced its
"Convergence+ Certification," which recognises individuals who are
qualified to monitor a network that is either in the process of
converging or already converged, offering enterprises a basis on
which to evaluate the capabilities of potential administrators.
"CompTIA Convergence+ was developed at the urging of the
convergence industry," Venator said. "This certification fills a
void and a need for an industry-accepted credential that validates
foundation-level skills for IT and communications professionals
working with these emerging technologies."
Designed specifically to assist information technology,
communications and telephony professionals who want to broaden
their skill level beyond previous training, the certificate program
qualifies them to support and maintain newly converged voice and
data networks.
In particular, it validates professionals' knowledge and skill
in the area of communications -- including data, voice, video and
broadcast multimedia technologies, which are increasingly combined
in a single IP-based delivery system. Additional topics that
concern a converged voice and data network, such as troubleshooting
and security, are also covered by the program.
Using research generated in-house and from other industry
sources, CompTIA found that a number of small and midsized
businesses (SMBs) intend either to deploy a new telephony solution
or make major upgrades to an existing system in the next 12 months
-- which suggests that the need for qualified convergence
professionals will only grow.
"The industry needs experts who understand equally both sides of
the converged system of voice and data," said Neill Hopkins, vice
president of CompTIA's Skills Development. "Nothing currently
exists that validates the knowledge of these professionals -- there
are certifications for data networking professionals and
certifications for voice professionals but not for combined
systems."