VMware Introduces New Certifications to Recognize Advanced Virtualization Skills among Customers and Partners
Certified Advanced Professional Program Aimed at Developing and Advancing Virtualization Expertise to Enable the IT Infrastructure of the Future – Cloud Computing
PALO ALTO, Calif. – May 24, 2010 – VMware (NYSE: VMW), the global leader in virtualization solutions from the desktop through the datacenter to the cloud, today announced a new certification program, VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP), to allow IT professionals to deepen their knowledge and expertise of VMware virtualization solutions. This advanced level of certification will enable organizations to transform IT environments through virtualization to help them better realize the greater value from flexible, agile IT-as-a-Service and cloud computing models.
Building upon VMware’s existing certification levels: VMware Certified Professional (VCP), of which there are over 50,000 individuals worldwide, and the elite VMware Certified Design Expert VCDX) of which there are approximately 50 worldwide, the VCAP certification is being added to the VMware Certification program to differentiate and acknowledge those professionals that have continued to grow and develop more cognitively complex skill sets beyond the VCP certification, while also serving as a stepping stone to the VCDX level.
“We expect that the addition of VCAP certification will increase the skills of thousands of IT professionals, providing advanced knowledge to strategically implement and manage virtualization solutions to derive maximum value for their company or customers,” said Enis Konuk, vice president of worldwide technical services at VMware. “The addition of VCAP to our certification program comes at a critical time as many companies need advanced skills to consider how to evolve their datacenters to be more cost and energy efficient – all the while maximizing productivity.”
Two Certified Advanced Professional Training Specialties to Choose From
To start, the VCAP program will offer two certification specialties for virtualization partners, end- users and consultants. VMware Certified Advanced Professional Datacenter Administration (VCAP-DCA) is directed toward System Administrators, Senior Consultants and Technical Support Engineers who are capable of working with large and/or more complex virtualized environments and can demonstrate technical leadership with VMware vSphere technologies. Successful candidates will also be capable of using automation tools, planning and designing virtualized solutions and administering all VMware vSphere Enterprise components. The exam for VCAP-DCA opens July 12, 2010. The other specialty, VMware Certified Advanced Professional Datacenter Design (VCAP-DCD), is directed toward IT Architects and Consulting Architects who can demonstrate their skills in designing VMware solutions in a multi-site, large enterprise environment. Successful candidates will have shown a deep understanding both of VMware core components and their relation to storage and networking, and also of datacenter design methodologies. They will also have shown knowledge of applications and physical infrastructure, as well as their relationship to the virtual infrastructure. Registration for the VCAP-DCD exam opens in August. VCP recipients interested in taking either or both of the VCAP exams may sign up to receive a notice when registrations open by visiting www.vmware.com/go/vcap.
VMware has designed several courses to help VCPs ramp their skills in preparation for taking the VCAP exams. Courses include VMware vSphere: Troubleshooting [V4] and VMware vSphere: Manage for Performance [V4] in prep for VCAP-DCA and VMware vSphere: Design Workshop [V4] to prepare for VCAP-DCD. While these courses are strongly recommended to help prepare individuals, they are not required to take the exam.
“The VCAP program will differentiate between those that know the core VMware product line versus those that fully understand and can architect an end-to-end virtualization infrastructure,” said Ernest Nichols, Virtualization Consultant, from premier partner, SHI International. “This ‘raising of the bar’ will keep value for the VCP who works inside of a customer's organization, but allows VMware partners to show that we bring additional skills which can further add to their organizational tool belt.”
VMware Education Services provides industry-leading technical training and certification programs that build and recognize virtualization knowledge and expertise, equipping technical professionals to help transform their IT organizations and realize the full value of IT as a Service computing models.
VMware’s education offerings address the range of virtualization technologies – from datacenter to desktop and virtualization management, with onsite, online and e-learning instruction.
“VMware has more than 170,000 customers and 25,000 partners worldwide, working with someone that has industry-recognized VMware certification further validates that IT professional and demonstrates that they possess the skills they need to successfully build, manage, deploy and service your VMware infrastructure,” said senior director of worldwide education, Richard Kerr. “The introduction of the VCAP program demonstrates that we are fully committed to developing the skills and capabilities of our partners and customers.”
About VMware
VMware delivers solutions for business infrastructure virtualization that enable IT organizations to energize businesses of all sizes. With the industry leading virtualization platform – VMware vSphere™ – customers rely on VMware to reduce capital and operating expenses, improve agility, ensure business continuity, strengthen security and go green. With 2009 revenues of $2.9 billion, more than 170,000 customers and 25,000 partners, VMware is the leader in virtualization which consistently ranks as a top priority among CIOs. VMware is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the world and can be found online at www.vmware.com.
###
VMware and VMware vSphere are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. The word "partner" or "partnership" does not imply a legal partnership relationship between VMware and any other company.
All other brands or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and should be treated as such.