Citrix certifications will benefit channel

Two of the `hottest` certifications to emerge locally from Citrix Systems, Inc, the global leader in access infrastructure solutions, will benefit the local channel and help to create more selling power.

This is the word from David Prosser, Citrix Southern Africa`s newly appointed channels manager.

"The Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA) and Citrix Certified Enterprise Administrator (CCEA) are two certifications that will assist the Citrix channel to win and penetrate deeper into accounts," he said.

"Today Citrix certifications are a requirement in requests for proposals with leading organisations looking for experience and knowledge in implementing Citrix solutions."

According to Prosser, having certified staff also creates more clout with vendors, assists with hiring, and validates skills and performance levels for employees.

"In addition, resellers/partners get increased productivity, morale and loyalty from their staff," he says.

"Nearly 50 million workers in more than 120 000 customer organisations around the world use Citrix enterprise access infrastructure solutions every day. With a global explosion of Citrix usage, and a rapidly growing uptake of Citrix solutions in SA, these certifications are crucial for winning business and ensuring customer satisfaction."

CertCities, a leading online magazine for certified IT professionals, included the CCEA in its second annual `10 Hottest Certifications` roundup. The CCA was also recognised in the same survey last year.

In a 2002 CRN Salary survey, the CCA was ranked as the number one certification by salary among small solutions providers and number five among large solution providers.

The Citrix CCEA program, which builds on the CCA program, is designed for individuals who can demonstrate expertise in installing and administering a breadth of Citrix technology. As Citrix`s entry-level certification track, the CCA program provides training in Citrix products and certifies that technicians have demonstrated knowledge of Citrix MetaFrame Presentation Server for Windows and Unix operating systems. The CCA certification was ranked eighth in CertCities` "Hottest Certifications of 2002" roundup.

"Citrix solutions continue to consistently add value and offer customers what they want - simplified access to the information they need to work from any place at any time. Technicians holding these certifications are taking the next step to deepen their technology skills and move to the next level because their customers` business environments increasingly demand thorough knowledge of Citrix`s computing solutions," concluded Prosser.

Citrix Training and Certification Programs offer professional training courses through Citrix Authorised Learning Centres (CALCs), using Citrix Professional Courseware, developed to educate industry professionals on the company`s products and technologies. Citrix CALCs in SA are Torque-IT and CS Education Solutions.