SNIA Adds Dell Storage

The Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA), announced the addition of Dell, Inc.‘s storage certifications to the Storage Networking Certification Program (SNCP) Expert level credential.

The Expert level credential is recognition of an individual’s storage networking skills at both a vendor-neutral and product-specific level, and will position the storage professional to work in a multi-vendor environment, in a managed storage-service environment, or a partner or reseller delivery environment.

“SNIA is delighted to welcome Dell into the Expert level program,” commented David Dale, SNIA’s COB. “We are committed to partnering with the vendor community to provide a strong independent validation of storage skills, aligned with the product specific knowledge that our vendors provide. Individuals achieving the Expert level credential will be valued in the industry as having proven credentials that identify them as expert storage practitioners.”

The SNCP provides a foundation of vendor-neutral, foundations-level credentials that integrate with and complement individual vendor certifications. The Expert level credential is an additional certificate awarded to individuals who complete all three SNIA certifications and any two of the qualifying vendor certifications.

The addition of Dell storage certifications provides Dell qualified storage professionals the opportunity to validate their technical skills and demonstrate proficiency with storage and data management industry standards. Dell offers Compellent and EqualLogic management courses that provide storage administrators with the knowledge and hands-on opportunity to learn to manage and maintain their Dell array. These courses qualify as meeting the vendor requirement for SNIA Expert level certification.

To qualify, candidates must complete all three SNIA exams and also two qualifying SNIA partner courses.

The following Dell Education Services courses meet the partnership requirement:

• EqualLogic PS Series Advanced Management and Data Protection Tools
• Integrating vSphere with EqualLogic PS Series Storage
• Compellent Administration and Advanced Management
• Compellent FS8600 Administration

Who is Dell Education Services?
It has been a recognized top 20 IT training organization, 5 years in a row (TrainingIndustry.com), and offers courses ranging from Dell storage, networking and server products to virtualization and Microsoft migration courses. Dell’s training organization is worldwide, with offices in Europe, the Middle East, AsiaPac, North and South America. Partnering with the SNIA organization is a progression of Dell’s ‘Power to do More’ philosophy, and provides customers one source for their hardware, services, consulting, training, and now certification needs.

“Dell is excited to offer our Compellent and EqualLogic training customers and channel partners a new opportunity to further enhance their career development. SNIA’s leadership in the storage certification arena affords greater recognition for Dell Storage professionals in a competitive, global marketplace,” comments Allyson McBreen, global director, Dell Education Services.