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SAP Introduces Enterprise Architect Certification Program


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Role-Based Enterprise SOA Curriculum Builds the Skills of the Next-Generation IT Workforce

MUNICH, Germany .- Delivering on its commitment to help companies embrace an enterprise service-oriented architecture (enterprise SOA), SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) today announced an extension of its training and education program to meet the needs of a growing SAP ecosystem workforce that includes customers, partners, universities and communities. This certification program delivers role-based training and skill development, ensuring consistency and quality by validating skills, including those associated with enterprise SOA, of IT professionals working with SAP® solutions. The announcement was made at SAP® TechEd ’07, being held in Munich, Germany, Oct. 17 - 19, 2007, where registrants can become certified at the associate level. SAP TechEd represents one of the first venues to offer certification to enterprise architects as well as professional level certification for other key roles.

Transforming the Business Network
As companies increasingly become connected, business networks emerge as a new source of competitive advantage. This transformation into dynamic and orchestrated business networks, made possible by the flexibility of enterprise SOA, accelerates innovation and productivity. New opportunities emerge as SAP professionals build their skills to fully leverage, service and govern these new architectures. According to the IDC research group, worldwide software spending for SOA-based initiatives is expected to grow to nearly $14 billion by 20111 and SOA-driven professional services engagements to $40.8 billion in the same time period.2 By providing certification, SAP is helping to establish a standard that demonstrates to customers the assurance of quality associated with the SAP brand, while underscoring the combined training and business experience SAP professionals bring to projects.

By introducing a role-based enterprise SOA curriculum, SAP is increasing the value of trained SAP professionals, addressing the training needs specific to the demands of their jobs. Expanding on skills and experience is crucial in the development of enterprise architects, a role that is in relatively short supply but in high demand in the market. This certification program builds on the breadth of skills required for such roles, including an understanding of IT, real-world business processes and operations, as well as identifying the gaps between business innovation and technology to support customers, employees, partners, distributors and other key stakeholders.

“The demand for enterprise architects is growing all the time, as they prove to be a crucial factor for success in complex project environments,” said Ron Tolido, CTO for Continental Europe and Asia Pacific, Capgemini. “Providing SAP certification and training is an important accelerator to both the quality and innovative value of enterprise SOA projects on the SAP platform. As Capgemini enterprise architects are involved in many of these projects, I expect a substantial number of enterprise architects to be trained and certified.”

Expanding Skills and the SAP Ecosystem, Accelerating Innovation
The SAP® Education organization seeks to expand the skills of IT professionals in the SAP ecosystem by developing skills and evolving the criteria for training those working with SAP solutions. One aspect of the program includes the continuous development of SAP Certified Professionals through the SAP Developer Network (SDN) and Business Process Expert communities, where individuals can collaborate with each other, gain access to a circle of peers and build a network to share best-practice approaches, methodologies and lessons learned.

SAP now offers certification at three levels, addressing specialized needs based on skills, education and work experience including:

* Associate certification – Covers the fundamental knowledge requirements for an SAP consultant, ensuring the successful acquisition of broad SAP solution knowledge and skills.
* Professional certification – Requires proven project experience, business process knowledge and a more detailed understanding of SAP solutions.
* Master certification – Involves demonstrating an expert-level understanding of a specific area of SAP software and the ability to drive innovation and solution optimization through in-depth knowledge and vision. Certification at this level requires broad project experience, comprehensive SAP product knowledge and the ability to create a future IT vision within complex project environments.

The extended global certification program from SAP will gradually be adopted for all of SAP’s solutions over the next 12 months. To support those who undertake training, a personalized Web site has been developed to allow all SAP professionals to check their certification history and options for enhancing their certification status that are in line with their current or future career considerations. This Web site also contains information regarding certification, learning requirements and learning maps for each certification role to facilitate ongoing personal growth and the expansion of valued skills.

“Our curriculum develops the specialized skills and knowledge necessary for SAP professionals to keep pace with the rapidly growing market demand surrounding enterprise SOA skills,” said Bernd-Michael Rumpf, global head of Field Services, SAP. “SAP’s updated certification program provides IT professionals access to knowledge and best practices that help support career development and leverage the power of innovation.”

For more information, please visit www.sap.com/education/certification.



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