Kickstart Your Career and Stand Out with VCA

Today’s hiring market is competitive and rapidly changing as new technologies and methodologies are used at the enterprise level. However, hiring managers still look for the same qualities they have for years – is this person a self-starter and motivated? Are they professional and deliver results? Do they have the knowledge, both broad and specialized, to succeed in a particular role?

In a recent interview in IT World, former CIO Eric Bloom talks about what he looks for when hiring new IT professionals. Bloom speaks about IT certifications – those candidates who have earned a certification show motivation and the ability to follow through, as well as having the specialization needed for success, particularly in IT roles working with specific systems. Bloom notes IT hiring managers also look for real-world experience – but more than just experience, they demand professionals who have been trained on the latest technologies and have the most relevant knowledge combined with a can-do attitude. 


For those looking to make their first foray into the world of IT, or are at the junior level and looking to distinguish themselves and position themselves for career advancement; the VMware Certified Associate (VCA) certification is a great place to start. It’s a fast, cost-effective way to establish yourself as a specialist in virtualization and land a job in the rapidly growing specialty of virtualization.

While there are other virtualization certification programs available, the VMware Certified Associate program provides several advantages to IT professionals. For one, it focuses exclusively on VMware platform – the world’s leading virtualization platform, trusted by more enterprise-level firms than any other virtualization technology. There are three separate certifications available under the VMware Associate level of certifications: Datacenter, Cloud, and the new Workforce Mobility – all of them focusing on various topics critical to that particular aspect of virtualization. IT professionals can choose to specialize in one aspect, or earn all certifications. VMware certification has a clear certification path as your career advances – VCA holders become eligible for Professional, Advanced Professional and Design Expert certifications as they move forward, gaining more experience and knowledge.

If you’re an IT professional with a few years’ experience looking to establish yourself as a specialist, then the VMware Certified Associate is the program for you. Visit us at VMware Certification Marketplace for everything you need to earn this certification, including exam vouchers, practice exams, books and more.  

VMware vs. CompTIA vs. Microsoft – Choosing the Right Virtualization Certification

Currently, the two most prevalent certification organizations are CompTIA and Microsoft. Both organizations offer a wide variety of certifications for different specializations within the technology field, offering certified professionals a variety of career opportunities.

For IT professionals looking for the right certification to take, the choices can be overwhelming. When it comes to the IT subspecialty of virtualization, candidates are faced with several choices. In this article, we’re going to be comparing the three most popular certifications that involve virtualization: Cloud+ from CompTIA, MCSE and its Cloud-focused programs from Microsoft, and the VMware Professional Certification from VMware.

Almost every IT professional is familiar with CompTIA. Designed to provide vendor-neutral information technology certifications, CompTIA certifications focus more on hardware and core IT concepts than individual programs. The Cloud+ certification focuses on the infrastructure that makes virtualization possible – setting up the servers and hardware required for an effective virtualization environment. While CompTIA Cloud+ does touch on software systems and utilizing them for managing virtual machines, datacenters and services; it does not cover the specifics of any one program in great detail, which can lead to knowledge gaps.

Being by far the largest software company in the world, it’s no surprise that Microsoft offers a vast array of certifications, including several which cover various aspects of virtualization. With the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification, professionals can choose from various specialties focused on Microsoft products. Certification specialties include Server Infrastructure (which would be comparable to VCP programs focused on ESXi); Desktop Infrastructure (comparable to VCP-DT – Desktop Virtualization), focusing on network architecture and incorporating some cloud components; Private Cloud, focusing on intranet cloud storage and services at the enterprise level; and individual programs such as SharePoint and Lync managed out of a virtual platform. While providing many options and subspecialties, no one certification pathway provides the full set of knowledge needed to become a virtualization expert. Microsoft’s programs cover a lot of different aspects – making them great for those working with various systems – but outside of Microsoft programs such as Windows Server, SQL Server and SharePoint; there’s not a lot of specialization involved.

VMware Certification only focuses on virtualization and the infrastructure and software needed to effectively run virtualization environments on the VMware platform. Much like Microsoft, there are many sub-specializations available for those seeking the VMware Certified Professional certification such as VCP-DV, focusing on datacenter virtualization; VCP-DT, which focuses on desktop virtualization and delivery of services; and Certified Professional on vSphere 5, which focuses on managing virtualization environments using the vSphere hypervisor. Since these tests focus exclusively on the VMware platform, they cover all aspects of using VMware and give knowledge on utilizing specific programs such as vSphere 5 hypervisor, vApps, and how to integrate programs such as Microsoft SQL Server 2005 into VMware environments. Considering that VMware is the world’s leading virtualization platform, this is typically the certification of choice for those wanting to really drill down into the specialty of virtualization. 

At VMware Certification Marketplace, we aim to help every customer achieve their career goals by earning virtualization certification. Visit our books selection not only for VMware books, but materials which cover all aspects of virtualization. If the VMware certification is right for you, visit us for exam vouchers and everything you need to earn your VMware Certified Professional designation.

VMware Partner Exchange 2014

The VMware Partner Exchange 2014 has taken place in beautiful San Francisco, CA; running from February 10th to the14th. Throughout the year, VMware has several partner exchanges allowing professionals of the virtualization world to get together and explore the latest concepts in virtualization technology.

VMware offers insider information about new products and services, as well as boot camps, keynotes, networking events and more. The Solutions Exchange features 93 sponsors and exhibitors showcasing the latest virtualization consulting, design and administration services as well as VMware platform hardware. The VMware Partner Exchange also features VMware Design Expert defenses, where those looking to obtain the highest level of virtualization certification present revolutionary concepts in virtualization and must defend their projects to a panel of the world’s foremost VMware experts.

Among the topics highlighted at the February Partner Exchange is the use of Software Defined Datacenter technologies on the VMware platform. VMware’s new Virtual SAN technology allows service providers to accommodate the $30 billion enterprise storage market, allowing providers to expand storage and offer a lower ownership cost to customers. VMware service providers can expand their footprint in existing customer environments, and offer more complete data storage and disaster recovery solutions through the use of VMware toolsets.

Other topics of interest at the February 2014 Partner Exchange include:

• Hybrid Cloud - Combing VMware’s SAN services with traditional on-site data storage solutions to create effective enterprise data storage architectures. This includes the new vCloud Hybrid Service, offering powerful data management tools and a new level of security with better data recovery procedures.
  
• Public Cloud - Exploring how academic institutions, government departments and public companies can utilize cloud technologies to share data and applications more seamlessly with the use of the VMware platform
   
• Desktop-As-A-Service - Those with VMware certification already know the abilities of VMware to deliver applications and data from a cloud server to the desktop. VMware now offers the ability to run desktop-as-a-service technology, offering additional user control and better application reliability.

VMware Partner Exchange offers virtualization professionals the change to converge, network, and share knowledge while learning the latest in VMware technologies and techniques several times per year. If you’re interested in learning about this Partner Exchange or upcoming Exchanges, visit VMware Partner Exchange Blog for more information.

The Right VMware Certification for You

Technology is an incredibly fast-moving industry – parts of which didn’t even exist 20 years ago. While conventional IT concepts like server deployment, desktop troubleshooting, and networking have been around for well over a decade, virtualization has only became a major force in the IT world within the last 10 years. Unlike Microsoft, one of the industry leaders in software which has existed since the 1980s; and Cisco, the industry leader in networking technologies which has existed since 1984; VMware, the leader in virtualization services, only came into existence in 1998.

Despite its short history, VMware is one of the most rapidly growing companies in the IT industry. As companies look to manage more data across more devices, many of which are mobile, cloud computing is a skill that more businesses need at every level, from small shops to enterprise level corporations. Much like businesses that look for Microsoft Certified Professionals to manage their software; a growing number of companies are looking for VMware Certified individuals when hiring professionals to design, manage, and troubleshoot their virtualization systems.

Similar to how CompTIA, Microsoft, and Cisco have different classes of certifications, VMware offers several different levels of certification for individuals seeking to become VMware Certified:

• VMware Certified Associate (VCA) is the first level of VMware certification. IT professionals with this level of certification have demonstrated familiarity with VMware environments and virtualization concepts, and have the abilities needed to design, manage and troubleshoot basic desktop and server virtualization environments. This certification is available in specialties of Cloud Infrastructure (Cloud), Workforce Mobility (WM), and Data Center Virtualization (DCV).
   
• VMware Certified Professional (VCP5) - This industry-recognized certification requires completion of a VMware-authorized training course and hands-on experience with VMware technologies. The latest version of the VCP is the VCP5, introduced in July of 2011. The VCP5, like all previous versions of the VCP, is focused on evaluating a candidate’s ability to install, configure, and manage VMware’s virtualization platform; including skills like installation of ESXi hosts, use of VMware vCenter Server, networking, security, and configuration of high-availability. VCP Certification is available in specialties of Data Center Virtualization (DCV), Desktop Design (DTD), and Cloud Infrastructure (Cloud).
   
• VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) is VMware’s intermediate level exam. Available in Datacenter Administration (DCA), Datacenter Design (DCD), Desktop Design (DTD), Cloud Infrastructure Administration (CIA), and Cloud Infrastructure Design (CID), this program is designed for those who already have obtained VCP5 certification and are ready to prove their competency in working with more advanced virtualization environments including enterprise-level virtualization server and desktop installations.
   
• VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) is the highest level of virtualization certification offered by VMware. The elite group of IT professionals with this certification have proven enterprise-level skills in VMware Solution design and implementation. designing, deploying and maintaining virtualization environments across a variety of devices at the enterprise level. Available in specialties of Cloud Infrastructure (Cloud) and Data Center Virtualization (DVC).

No matter what level you’re at in your IT career, VMware Certification Marketplace offers learning materials for all VMware Certification exams as well as exam vouchers for all VMware certification exams. Get your VMware Certification today and build your career – there’s real opportunity and real money to be made with virtualization!