FAQs

Q1 What is an IBM Certified Infrastructure Systems Architect (ISA)? Q2 What are the key ISA job responsibilities? Q3 What are the qualifications to become a candidate in the ISA Program? Q1 What is an IBM Certified Infrastructure Systems Architect (ISA)? An IBM Infrastructure Systems Architect (ISA) is an IT Architect that performs in a technical sales job role within an IBM Business Partner firm. The primary responsibility of the ISA is to address client infrastructure requirements with IBM server, storage, and software middleware solutions. They will provide the technical and architectural design leadership necessary to design, describe, document, and articulate solutions to address large, complex, multiplatform system client opportunities. An ISA will also be able to provide strong industry technical leadership in areas of leading edge technology such as: IBM platform selection on demand business Websphere Lotus Solutions Tivoli Infrastructure Simplification Linux® Infrastructure Systems Architects are unique in four ways: They have a breadth of skills and experience across several technical specialty areas specifically system platforms, rather than deep skills in one area. They use a methodology to understand a client’s business and technical requirements, to translate those requirements into a technical design, and to develop the implementation plans. As part of the methodology, the ISA produces a set of work products unique to the architectural role. They focus on technical strategy. They employ a consultative sales approach to working with a client providing clients the capability to understand business value and to develop confidence in the proposed solution. Back to Top Q2 What are the key ISA job responsibilities? The following lists help describe at a high level some of the intended capabilities of an ISA: Represent IBM’s Infrastructure "point of view" to the client Become a "Technical Sales Support" resource who will work with clients to architect, design, present and propose Total Infrastructure Solutions with focus across IBM Systems and IBM Systems Storage Engage in technical strategies, projects, and activities leading to client adoption of key enterprise-wide new workload and solution areas – e.g. Linux, WebSphere, Storage, Server Consolidation, Grid, Blades Architect on demand solutions leveraging Integrated Industry Solutions Design solutions that leverage storage and integrate multiple eServer brands Build strong technical relationships with IBM and senior client technical influencers Engage early in the sales cycle with recommendations on technology directions, new application deployments, platform selection and on demand infrastructure enablement Actas technical focal point representing the Business Partner and IBM, aswell as to team and lead in selling Total Solutions that maximize IBMsystem, storage, and software middleware content Lead and facilitate in proposing and implementing competitive andtechnologically advanced on demand solutions: Software and Solution Integration with Servers/Storage Server and Storage Consolidation Platform Positioning Large Bid Technical Leadership Back to Top Q3 What are the qualifications to become a candidate in the ISA Program? An ISA may come from a variety of backgrounds and career paths. They likely will be involved in IT technical sales support, project management or IT services roles. ISA Qualifications: The qualifications defined in the following are guidelines for an ISA candidate: Strong IT infrastructure and system skills demonstrated by a minimum of five years of IT technical experience Proven technical project leadership skills demonstrated by client face to face experience Ability and desire to maintain strong technical skills on the most advanced technologies Experience and knowledge in one or more industries Key ISA skills that will be developed or strengthened Knowledge of Architectural Methodologies Expanded knowledge of IBM servers, storage and middleware Skills to develop architectures using infrastructure technologies and components Ability to build key infrastructure and architecture work products Ability to synthesize business needs into technical solution requirements Skills to use sizing and testing tools Ability to become a trusted technical consultant Back to Top For further Information: Contact: Harvey Segal Program Manager hrsegal@us.ibm.com +1 (781) 895-1444 Linux® is a trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States, other countries, or both.