A recent survey conducted by the IDC revealed that resellers who have staff that are Accredited Systems Engineers (ASEs) out-sell those that don't by about 13 to 1.
According to Amanda Saurma-Jeultsch, Compaq product manager at SDD, accreditation is extremely important for professionals in the IT field as it enables them to keep up with the latest technology from vendors, a highly marketable skill in the fast-moving IT arena.
The revamp of Compaq's Accredited Professional (CAP) programme has resulted in a single, uniform global accreditation standard, which is a first for the hardware industry consisting of the following 4 levels:
Accredited Platform Specialists (APS) which now replaces the old ACT accreditation Accredited Platform Engineer (API) Accredited Systems Engineer (ASE) Master Accredited Systems Engineer (MASE), formerly known as the ASE Professional
The CAP programme covers the entire range of Compaq hardware systems and solutions while complementing the new Operating System Accreditation Programme, which was introduced by Compaq internationally for systems administrators, engineers and platforms such as OpenVMS, Tru64 Unix and NonStop Kernel.
Annual re-certification is essential to keep up with the latest changes in technology and Compaq innovation. Understanding this, Compaq's training model now includes a formal re-certification programme through which active ASEs will update their certification each year.
"Furthermore, Compaq has introduced Web-based training as well as an online database in which professionals may keep their own contact details current. This means that Compaq is able to provide them with updated information on new technology and training courses.
"With customers demanding higher levels of service from vendors and resellers, and the widespread IT skills shortage in SA, it has become imperative for us as a channel partner to ensure that we are qualified to work on Compaq systems. With Compaq's internationally recognised accreditation, SDD can now offer its customers peace of mind and consistent support," she concludes.
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SDD, the focused IT company in the Siltek Technology Chain Group, is SA's largest broad-based distributor of information technology. SDD encourages black empowerment opportunities and is the partner of choice of several leading vendors. It distributes a wide range of 'best of breed' hardware and software products, as well as peripherals, components and consumables. SDD configures branded hardware and builds-to-order Xylo, Vision and Fujitech, its own range of PCs.
SDD has branches in Gauteng, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Bloemfontein, Nelspruit and Namibia. Outside South Africa, the company has partnerships in Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Siltek Limited
Siltek Limited leads the southern African technology supply chain. Listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 1969, Siltek comprises several complementary operating companies, each of which is a key player in its niche focus area.
Siltek Limited is grouped into three main operating divisions, namely Volume Distribution, Specialist Distribution and Supply Chain Services. Companies in the Volume division are SDD, Workgroup and MemtekMMW. Specialist Distribution consists of Siltek Telecoms, Chemetrix, Siltek Healthcare Solutions, Siltek Midrange Solutions and Intelligent Systems. Imperitek, Merchandise IT and Siltek Finance make up the Supply Chain Services division.
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