Related Resources •  CompTIA •  Brainbench •  CWP •  Prosoft CIW •  Certified XML Expert •  CCSA •  CCSE •  Sair Linux •  GNU

Elsewhere on the Web • Is Vendor-Neutral Certification Good Enough?

While the relative value of computer certifications can always be debated, the increasing number of vendor-neutral certifications is causing people to reconsider what kind of certification is most valuable. Vendors such as Microsoft and Cisco see brand loyalty and recommendation as a large bonus to their certification programs. However, managers are beginning to see the vendor-neutral cert as a more well-rounded program, which focuses more on the methodology and technology than a specific brand or software. A great benefit of vendor-neutral certifications is that they teach the technology as it is, flaws and all. The utopian view of the vendor towards it's product is eliminated. In addition, the employee is more likely to respond well in a multi-vendor environment. According to Certification Magazine, "findings from a recent Gartner survey underline an emerging recognition that vendor-neutral IT certifications, such as CIW, are supported by employers and IT professionals."

Another growing trend in certifications is the neutral/sponsored hybrid certification. These are intended to be equally motivated by the vendor and the user community. They usually require the applicant to complete neutral exams as well as vendor exams. A good example is the jCert with it's "Certified Once, Recognized Everywhere" logo that really sums up the goal of the hybrid certification.

According to the respondents to Certification Magazine’s most recent survey, the average certificant currently holds nearly four (3.86 on average) different technical certifications. In general, vendor-neutral certifications are used to supplement a "primary" certification or to break into the IT market. The most popular primary certifications are of course vendor sponsored and include Microsoft, Cisco and Novell. However, CIW's and CompTIA certs are certainly running up there at the head of the pack. CIW announced in July, 2001 that it had handed out 25,000 certifications. In 2000, salary increases for CompTIA's Network+ and the ever popular A+ certifications grew 13.1% and 11.1% respectively, compared to 12.6% growth for the MCSE.

In short, the vendor neutral certification is rapidly growing and is gaining increased respect in the industry. It gives individuals the benefits of learning on a broader knowledge base and can only enhance their current list of credentials. It also serves as a great way to break into information technology (A+ is very popular for this). If you are considering a vendor-neutral certification you can find out more using the links below or go to GoCertifiy's website for a complete list of all certifications (vendor, vendor-neutral/vendor hybrids, and vendor-neutral) currently offered.

Vendor-neutral certifications include, but are not limited, to the following:

• CompTIA Certifications (A+, Network+, eBiz+, iNet+, CTT+, and others)
  
• Brainbench Certifications
  
• CWP and Master CWP
  
• Prosoft CIW
  
• Certified XML Expert (CXE)
  
• CCSA & CCSE (Check Point)
  
• Sair Linux and GNU
  

If you have any questions, comments, ideas, or would like to be a guest author for this site, send me an email!