Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP®)

The APICS SCP designation is the most widely recognized educational program designed for operations and supply chain management professionals around the world. By earning your APICS CSCP designation, you will be able to demonstrate your mastery of supply chain management best practices, significant commitment to your profession and career, distinguish yourself as an industry expert, and excel with your newly acquired specialized knowledge.

About the Provider:   
APICS The Association for Operations Management is the global leader and premier source of the body of knowledge in supply chain and operations management, including production, inventory, materials management, purchasing, and logistics, serving nearly 33,000 members globally. 
The SHRM Learning System Formats for the PHR® & SPHR® Exam     
APICS’s comprehensive learning system is ideal for all types of learners. Combining print with online, multimedia and more, the learning system makes understanding, applying, practicing and reviewing something you can take in your stride.

• Five books with approximately 1,000 pages of content, progress check questions at the end of each section, organized information from more than 150 references.
• Pretest to determine your strengths and weaknesses, post-test to determine your progress, progress report.
• E-flashcards, and an online glossary.
• Practice test bank of more than 900 multiple-choice questions.

Pre-requisites:   
To qualify to take the APICS CSCP exam you need to meet one of the following criteria:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent plus two years of related business experience,
  or
• APICS CFPIM, APICS CPIM, APICS CIRM, or CPM designation plus two years of related business experience,
  or
• Five years of related business experience*

*APICS defines “related experience” as work that is directly connected to some aspect of the supply chain. This can include raw materials extraction, transportation and logistics, procurement, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, retail, customer service, software design and support, and other areas that directly affect the supply chain. Workers who operate transportation or materials moving equipment or machines or processing equipment that require an intermediate level of training would qualify.   

Exam Information :   
The CSCP is a 4-hour exam with 175 multiple-choice questions. 

For more information on CSCP, please visit www.apics.org

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Microsoft's New Certs for The Cloud

Cloud Computing expertise is in short supply. Today's technical professionals need to understand a broader array of technologies in order to plan, design and integrate public and private cloud. Because of this Microsoft has reinvented it's MCSE for cloud credentials.

The new certification for IT professionals and developers are grouped in 3 levels: Associate, Expert and Master.

• The MCSA - Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate - provides a clear starting point for job seekers early in their technology career. This is a foundation level cert and a prerequisite for the MCSE.
• The MCSE - Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert - is made for individuals who want to lead their organization's transition to the cloud. It recognises IT professionals and developers with broad and deep cloud skills set.
• The MCSM - Microsoft Certified Solutions Master - differentiates the select few from their peers and represents the highest knowledge and  skills validation.

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Security Certifications at a Glance

 

“A Certification today is like a college degree, you may not hire a candidate just because they have one, but it is something that you expect in this field. Grad Summers – information Security leader at Ernst & Young”

The term Security can be used in several aspects of the IT industry; it varies from auditing and the application to forensic Science and wireless Security. Due to the wide diversity in security specialization, the aspirants have the freedom to make the choice in IT security Certifications.

Clearly ‘Security’ certifications are not required for success in today’s enterprise environment. Some of the smartest IT gurus have no Certifications or degrees, but most people who hold Information Security Certifications have learned valuable information and gained useful skills too. These certifications are in demand not only for their demonstration of IT security proficiency but also because certified candidates go through training that reflects high standard of ethical conduct.

IT Security certs will always be in demand. The main factors pushing this demand is the need for IT security and network professionals to protect critical infrastructure and implement emerging technologies.

Vendor-neutral vs vendor-specific. Security Certifications should be vendor-neutral because there is need of a broad view of security than that which borders specific platforms. These Certifications teach general security principles and will have the widest range of usability.

Several organizations and private companies offer certifications in the areas of IT security and protection of information. Here is a list of some of the best and mostly accepted security certifications:

• CISSP : Certified Information Systems Security professional is the most comprehensive, prestigious and recognized certification in the security arena. It is considered as the gold standard of security credentials.
  
  
• CEH: Certified Ethical Hacker is gaining popularity as organizations focus on securing their It infrastructure and networks from internal and external attacks.
  
  
• CISA : Certified Information Security Auditor. Many enterprises recognize ISACA’s CISA credential as the de facto standard for information systems auditors. It’s demand continues to grow as organizations increasingly expect their auditors to hold the certification.
  
  
• CISM : Certified Information Security manager. This is a one exam certification for security managers administered by ISACA. It’s very rigorous as the CISSP and also thought as a hard exam.
  
  
• Security+ : Comptia’s security+ is an entry level certification with no required experience. It’s a simple 90-minute exam with 100 questions. It might open a door for you, but only a crack.

Other certifications worth a mention are:

CWSP – Certified Wireless Security professional

CSFA – Cyber Security Forensic Analyst

CCSA – Checkpoint Certified Security Administrator

CCSE – Checkpoint Certified Security Expert

Candidates will find security Certifications topics in related areas of business continuity/disaster recovery, auditing and risk management.

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Top Programming Certification for IT pros

It cannot be gainsaid that programming has always been the in-thing from Mobile Application Development to high-end robust software Engineering. It's for this reason that developers need to put their best foot foward and distiguish themselves from the copy pasters.
Programming certifications may give you an edge over other developers in the job market.

Here is a list of the most demanded programming certs in Kenya and beyond.

1. MCPD - Microsoft Certified Professional Developer. 

This is a Microsoft Certification for programmers and Application Developers. The recent MCPD covers Visual studio versions 2010, 2008 and some elements of 2005 and Windows phone, Sharepoint 2010, and Silver light 4 within each specific credentials.

• An MCPD on Ms Visual Studio 2010 earns you Windows Developer 4, Web Developer and windows Azure Developer credentials.

• An MCPD on Ms Visual studio 2008 earns you Windows Developer 3.5, ASP.NET Developer and Enterprise Application Develpoper 3.5 credentials.

More on MCPD.

A single exam costs Ksh: 8,500


2. Zend Certified Engineer - In PHP Programming

PHP is a scripting language based on perl that supports development of dynamic webpages. It's free and works with most webservers. Zend is the name of the core Php scripting engine. php certification represents a great entry point for programmers in entry stage of their programming careers.

More on Zend

3. Oracle (Sun) Certified Java Credentials.

Java programming certification is arguably the best recognised and most widely known and respected programmer cert. It focuses on key job roles in Software Application development and Enterprise Architecture.

Java certified is offered by Oracle with the following beginner certs:

• The Oracle Certified Associate formerly Sun Certified Java Associate - it's a beginners entry point in a career in Application development and project management using Java technology.
• An advancement of OCA is a Oracle Certified professional and Oracle Certified developer.

You can bear me witness that atleast half of the programming jobs available today require a sound knowledge of Java skills.

Coders rule the world!

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Certification Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these errors and get the most out of your certification

 1. Studying for a 'HOT' cert, rather than something you love doing.  

People in IT tend to pursue a certification based on it's popularity at that moment. Many will often ask for advice on the hottest cert to study for.
pursuing a hot cert is a bad strategy. An area perceived to be hot right now might be glacialy cold in six months. These trends are impossible to predict. This too may lead you to an area thats not of your interest. if you like Systems administration, why go for a developer cert.

Determine what you enjoy doing in IT and find a certification that will support you on the same.

 2. Don't use one study Method.

Books can be helpful certification prep tools. so are simulation labs, classroom-based training and online training.
Do not confine your studies to just one of these types. Variety is not only the spice of life but it can kick you certification prep to the next level.

3. Assuming a certification will fast-track your career.

People expect an immediate raise or promotion the moment they bang that cert. The more acronyms after their name i.e MCSE,RHCE,CCIE, the more they feel they deserve the corner office.
Certification are an indication of an employee worthiness, which coupled with other skills i.e. communication skills, team-player and experience, make an excellent techie.

4. If you are not ready, don't test.

You need to be thoroughly prepared for your exams before testing. if you feel you need an extra week or month be patient take your time.

5. Avoid Braindumping.

Braindumps are exact questions and answers from certification tests provided to test-takes for a fee or free. Braindumps are unethical. It's not different from getting a test ahead of time and swotting the answers.
Another drawback of braindumps is you never get to understand the material so you'll be half baked on the job.

Read widely, know your stuff, GO get Certified.
  

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New VMware certification: VCP5-DT

VMware have now released the VMware Certified Professional - Desktop certification for vSphere 5 and View 5, shortened to VCP5-DT The exam is aimed at those who are responsible for deploying, administering, and managing View 5 on top of vSphere 5.

There is no formal training requirement for View 5 to qualify for VCP5-DT, the View 5: Install Configure Manage course will be a big help, but you must hold VCP5 in order to qualify for VCP5-DT certification - and of course VCP5 does have a vSphere 5 training requirement.

So, if you're starting out with VMware certifications your minimum requirements to VCP5-DT look like this:

Attend vSphere 5 training > Pass VCP5 exam > Pass VCP5-DT exam

If you already have your VCP5 certification you will only need to pass the VCP5-DT exam. If you are a VCP3 or VCP4 you will need to gain VCP5 and pass the VCP5-DT exam.

VMware have not shortened the path to VCP5-DT for those that already hold VCP4-DT, and it now looks like there will be no VCA5-DT certification at all - VCP5-DT will be the foundation-level certification for View 5.

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Cisco Wireless Certifications get a Refresh

Cisco recently updated their wireless exams to version 2.0 for both CCNA Wireless and CCNP Wireless.The new version brings a much needed update that is more in line with current Cisco wireless technologies.

Some of the updated content includes more recent versions of WLC (Wireless Lan Controller) and client software. They've also expanded 802.11n support and added more information about Video over wireless and Voice over wireless. Check Cisco's website for more details.

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Microsoft MTA vouchers

In its part of 20 years| 20 ways, a year long effort which celebrates 20 years of Microsoft certification, Microsoft has partnered with Net Hope Academy to give aspiring young IT professionals a chance to earn a Microsoft Technology Associate MTA certification.

MTA certification is an entry-level certification designed to help individuals take their first step toward a career as an IT professional or developer. Learn more about Microsoft Technology Associate here.

Microsoft has donated up to 1,000 vouchers to NetHope academy for distribution around the world with specific locations in Africa and Kenya in general, to illegible and aspiring technology professionals. The donated vouchers and free learning resources will help one earn a Microsoft Certification.

In this program, there are 7 different options for MTA certification where students can show their competency; Windows Azure, Window Server Administration, Virtualization Administration, Enterprise messaging, Lync Server 2010, Sharepoint 2010 application development and developing Windows phone Applications.

 Request an MTA Exam Voucher here.

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IT Certification and Experience: Which comes first.

When i earned my first cert as an MCP, i expected to be a hot cake opening doors like i owned the city. How wrong i was! It later dawned on me that i was a newbie who had the right credentials but lacked experience.

Certifications are a way of demonstrating the knowledge and experience that one has already accumulated. They hardly give you a direct path to that dream job or make you an exception. In many cases HR departments will focus on finding experienced and certified individuals. Infact having a couple of certifications without having any experience raises red flags and makes prospective employers suspicious. Having experience is what speaks loudest.

Too often many of this certification available in the IT industry are all paper based..read the study guides and you have all you need to pass the certification exam. After all there are certified chaps who have passed tests, but who when required on the job, cannot perform the simplest if IT tasks.
It is always advised that one acquires the experience; and no...you don't have to have paid experience. you can volunteer to help fix computers and set-up basic networks in small and medium enterprises.

In my own humble opinion, you shouldn't be able to get a certification without proof of related hands on experience. A certification without any experience is like shooting yourself in the foot. The correct path for professional certification is acquire the knowledge and experience and then earn the certification.

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CompTIA Announces New Data Storage Certification

CompTIA and the Storage Networking Industry Association  (SNIA) has introduced a new exam and certification targeted towards IT storage professionals with atleast 12 months of experience.

ComTIA Storage+ powered by SNIA is relevant to a number of positions in the IT industry, including Storage administrators, system administrators and network engineers.
The certification comes at a time when organisations are scrambling to come up with strategies to manage the massive volumes of data they're generating.

"The rise in mobile computing, the shift to cloud-enabled services, a need for heightened security and a host of other factors add to the complexity of this environment, which can challenge even the most seasoned IT storage pro. Together with SNIA we've developed a certification that will help individual IT workers keep pace with the changing storage landscape and empower employers to validate the skills of their IT professionals," said Terry Eradle-CompTIA executive president.

The exam certifies that a successful candidate has the knowledge and skills required to configure basic data storage and storage networks to include archive back-up and restoration technologies. Though not required,either CompTIA A+, Network+ or Security+ is recommended as a prerequisite.

The exam costs Sh.29,000 in Kenya.

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Certification training: Self study 101

If you are looking at obtaining a certification in Kenya, whether Microsoft, Comptia, HP or Cisco, training and preparation is essential. The big question always is if you can’t get your employer to pay, can you afford it?

Certs in Kenya can be expensive especially for students and/or job entry professionals. Training fees in Kenya rages from Ksh30,000 to Ksh.150,000 on a single certification without the exam cost. It's obstacles like this that hinder cert progress in Kenya to individuals who are in most occasions self sponsored.

Exit training fees enter self study. Self study has become the chosen method of learning new information or continuing one’s education. This method proves to be more adaptive inform of time consumption and self pace.

When settling out to study for the certs, one of the most important tools you will use is an e-book. E-Books are often the least expensive and simplest way to study for your exams. If you already have some knowledge of your subject, they are a great way to prepare. There are several good study guides and books out there, once you know how and where to look. Most certification books come with practice question CD and other helpful study tools.

Quick tips:

• Always check year or date published and make sure you’re getting recent books with current information.
• Look for book reviews on websites like amazon.com
• Look for established authors who have published multiple books like Mike Meyers.

Another method for self study is video training. Video training is becoming very popular and is a great way to learn at your own pace, with a classroom experience. Video training are good for demonstration and interactivity purpose. They crate powerful and very high impact learning experience. Providers of computer based training videos for IT professionals include: trainsignal.com, cbtnuggets.com, learnsmartsystems.com, and vtc.com.

With sites like Googletrader.com and uzanunua.com, you can get great deals on used servers, software and other hardware. There is nothing like working with real-world equipment to help prepare for an exam.

Check for learning materials in certcollection.org, techexams.net, warez-bb.org, pdfbook.co.ke and certification news at mcpmag.com, informit.com, and born to learn

Always be on the look out for promotional offers, discounted and free vouchers on vendors’ websites and tech forums.

Whatever you do keep away from Braindumps ! IT certifications, like the doctor says, are bigger on the inside.

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Top 10 I.T Certifications in Kenya for 2012.

As the country slowly positions itself as an I.C.T hub in the global market with innovations like M-Pesa, Konza city (ongoing) and other numerous developments. Certifications will also play a bigger role in the technology arena.
I.T certifications boast of numerous benefits.  They encourage higher salaries, validate I.T techies' skills in specific technology platform and assist in job search. The debate though, on the best and meaningful certification,becomes polarized across I.T pros and hiring managers. I.T certifications after all will likely be different across technology professionals,employers and industries alike as demand for specific technology will also vary.
Which then are the best certification in Kenya for 2012 in terms of demand by both I.T pros and hiring Managers.

NOTE: The list was drawn randomly.

1. MCITP: Windows 2008 Server Enterprise Administrator.

Windows 2008 is and will be the most ordinary utilized managing framework in the organization today. It provides a significant vital learning for managing a vast homestead of servers like VCP and MCTS.

2. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (M.C.T.S)

MCTS helps I.T techies validate their skills in installing, maintaining and troubleshooting a specific Microsoft technology. Popular MCTS in Kenya include: Windows 7 configuring, SQL server 2008, Exchange Server 2010, Server 2008 R2, Server virtualization and Sharepoint Server 2007.

3. Project Management Professional (PMP)

In 2012, an exceptional task project managers will be the most sought-after in all I.T sections with skills in system analysis being on the forefront.

4. MCSE/MCSA:

Yes MCSE is not going anywhere. MCSE credentials still remain valuable. This cert tends to prove that, holders have been working within the tech field for long with a range of expertise from client and server administration to security issues on windows platform. With several of its exams retiring or having been discontinued, MCSE is and will be the king in Kenya throughout 2012.

5. CompTia A+ and N+

Being vendor neutral certs, A+ and N+ are the leading entry level certification in Kenya. Adding an A+ certification on a resume tells hiring managers that you have proven computer support and maintenance expertise.

Comptia N+ is a foundation for a network technician and provides a significant headstart for studying CCNA.

6. CCNA, CCNP

CCNA is a highly technical and internationally recognized certification. CCNA and CCNP are a requirement for network engineers, mostly demanded by telecommunication industries in Kenya.

The Kenyan industry is currently is in a mix of Cisco and Juniper products thus a demand for Juniper Certified professionals. Though a headache, CCNA and CCNP are worth the trouble.

7. MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator 7.

Windows 8 is on the way, but at companies level, windows 7 is here to stay. This certification provides the knowledge to install manage and maintain Windows 7 computers.

8. VM Certified Professional.

No ideal organization will do away with a VM Certified Professional. The VCP Certification confirms that you have the education needed to successfully install, deploy, scale and manage VMware vsphere environments.

9. CISA: Certified Information Systems Auditor.

Possessing the CISA designation demonstrates proficiency in information system audit, control and security skills.

CISA is the most sought after Certification in Kenya for Information System consultants, Information Systems security auditors, financial officers and Chief Information officers.

10. CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional

CISSP is a certification for professionals who define the architecture, design, manage and or control the assurance of security in business environments.

Professionals in the security field are and will always be in demand both locally and internationally. 

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Certification for Kenyan Developers

 

A professional Certification for Kenyan developers is currently being developed by computer scientists at the Carnegie Mellon University in collaboration with the Kenya ICT Board through KTCIP (Kenya Transparency and communications Infrastructure project). The project is dubbed Chipuka, a swahili word meaning 'to emerge'.

The exam will require sofware developers to perform the kind of tasks encountered in the actual work environment. Exam takers will add software features, correct errors and make modifications on a model software system.


Philip Miller, a project scientist who is leading the project, said the pilot exam will be ready by march 2013 and the certification should be fully operational in kenya by October 2013.

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