| Before we dive into the CompTIA Converence+ | | | | knowledge and skills in the area of CT - the seamless |
| certification, I will take a moment to define converged | | | | integration of Information and Communications |
| networks. A converged networks is a single network | | | | Technologies (ICT), where datacomm, telephony |
| capable of carrying a mixture of voice (telephone), | | | | telecommunications, video, and broadcast multimedia |
| video (production and training), and application data. | | | | technologies combine onto a single IP-based delivery |
| According to Juniper Research, the total market value | | | | system in a way that opens powerful new avenues |
| for services using voice over IP is forecast to grow | | | | of communication. Simply stated, it represents the |
| almost 10-fold in terms of revenue over the next five | | | | intersection of telephone, broadcast media, cable and |
| years as the technology evolves from a replacement | | | | Internet networks. |
| for traditional telephony to a technology that provides | | | | Creating a certification that provides a standard |
| converged services to the home and desktop. Deloitte | | | | method of measuring competencies in the technologies |
| Services says that by 2006, two-thirds of the Global | | | | in use today and planned for tomorrow will deliver |
| 2000 companies will have started deployment of | | | | benefits to the entire industry. In some instances, the |
| voice-over IP to the desktop. Traditionally, companies | | | | benefits will come in the form of lower costs for |
| have offered either voice or data products and | | | | activities such as training, recruiting and hiring. A |
| services. However, because of increased demand for | | | | certification that validates technical skills and on-the-job |
| more complete solutions, companies must now | | | | experience also has the potential to help grow the |
| consider offering both. Linking these disparate | | | | convergence industry. |
| networks requires sophisticated integration products | | | | This initiative is sponsored by a group of the major big |
| and comprehensive understanding of the design, | | | | players like Intel, Thomson, Avaya, Siemens, Catalyst |
| implementation and management of both data and | | | | Telecom , and Collin County Community College. |
| voice networking. As IT data networking and | | | | The beta exam for Convergence+ has been available |
| telecommunications networks join to form a unified | | | | since October 12th, 2006. The exam, CT1-101, is two |
| communications solution, a new set of skills will be | | | | hours long with 110 multiple-choice questions costs $75. |
| required to install and support these solutions. The | | | | And because it is still beta, you will not find out the |
| validation of these skills will benefit vendor/employers, | | | | result of your exam at the testing center and you will |
| employees, and end-user businesses. | | | | be notified by email within 4 to 6 weeks after the |
| In order for businesses to maximize the new business | | | | exam. |
| opportunities presented by convergence, there must | | | | I believe that it is necessary to have a |
| be an investment in developing the workforce. | | | | vendor-independent certifications in all aspects of |
| CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry | | | | information technology. I wish that this certification will |
| Association, has begun its Convergent Technologies | | | | evolve well, and become the CWNA-like of converged |
| Certification Initiative. The mission of this initiative is to | | | | networks. |
| develop a vendor-neutral certification that validates | | | | |