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The certification is open to all Business Partners – Systems Integrators, Distributors, Resellers, ISVs, and IT Consultants – and recognizes a certified job role for technical individuals that encompasses technical sales support and becomes part of the worldwide IT Architect profession. Customers who also decide to have in-house professional architect skills are also eligible to participate.
The IBM Certified Infrastructure Systems Architect certification is designed to enhance the technical sales and solution design
skills of an individual within the Business Partner firm to be better able to define and develop comprehensive client solutions. More comprehensive client solutions can generate greater financial results to the firm while clients can benefit by implementing leading-edge solutions that pay off faster. ISAs will develop and validate strong technical leadership skills enabling them to architect and design complex IT infrastructure solutions that include integrated multiple server platforms, software middleware, storage, and services.
Here are the steps to get started and to attain Infrastructure Systems Architect Certification:
1. Complete and submit the short application. The application, which is essentially a self assessment against the recommended prerequisites, can be obtained in either of the following two ways:
Contact: isacert@us.ibm.com
or
Download: IBM Certified Infrastructure Systems Architect Application Microsoft Word (.doc)
Note: After acceptance into the program, you are expected to complete all the following requirements within 18 months.
2. The next step is to complete three required IBM Certifications. This consists of achieving two technical certifcations plus the IBM Certified for On Demand Business-Solution Design V2 (#817). The two technical certifications must be either:
2A: Two technical IBM hardware product certfications from separate product lines
or
2B. One technical IBM hardware product certification and one technical IBM software middleware product certification, such as Lotus, Tivoli, WebSphere, IBM Information Management and Rational.
You can find the list of all IBM certifications as well as information on where to take the tests on the IBM Professional Certification Program web site. Please note that that link contains information on sales certifications as well as on technical certifications. Only technical certifications will be accepted for this core requirement. If you have any question about the validity of a certification in fulfilling this requirement, please send a note to isacert@us.ibm.com.
Please note that all certifications must be less than two years old at the time you fulfill all the ISA requirements.
3. After you have completed step 2, the next step is to complete The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) Certification. TOGAF is an industry standard architecture framework that has been developed and continuously evolved since the mid-90’s by representatives of some of the world’s leading IT customer and vendor organizations.
There are 2 general TOGAF options:
(1) The first option is to study TOGAF training materials and then to take the TOGAF certification test available at Prometric. Information on ordering the TOGAF Study Guide, either in PDF format or in hard copy is available at The Open Group . There is also a link to Prometric for scheduling a certification test. The cost of the test is US$400. An individual who has failed an examination will not be allowed to retake the examination within 30 days of the first sitting. No candidate is allowed to take the same examination more than three (3) times in twelve (12) months.
(2) The second option is to take a TOGAF training course (either distance learning or face-to-face) from one of the 22 authorized providers of theTOGAF 8 Training Product Standard. You can find a list of these companies at The Open Group TOGAF Certification . Typically the Training Provider recommends the candidate for TOGAF certification based on completion of a workbook, classroom activities or other feedback mechanisms in place of a certification exam. In general, this appears to be the more popular way to become certified. There are Training Providers in all geographies. For information on several Training Providers who are offering discounts for TOGAF training and certification to ISA candidates, please contact isacert@us.ibm.com.
4. Complete the Signature Selling Method (SSM) mastery test (M140). SSM is a core part of our business language that unifies and distinguishes IBMers and Business Partners in Team IBM through a common approach to selling based on customer business needs. Please note that the SSM mastery test may be taken at any time during the ISA certification process.
The computer based training for SSM provides a fast-paced learning environment with proven sales techniques. Working through an end-to-end sales cycle, you’ll learn how to advance sales, differentiate yourself from your competitors and increase your selling speed, quality and volume. The 4-hour course is available online, as a download or as a CD. The course material and the Mastery Exam are available in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, simplified Chinese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish. Information regarding SSM education and the mastery test can be found on the PartnerWorld web site. From the PartnerWorld Home Page, select "Selling Resources" and then "Sales Skills". On the "Sales Skills" web page, click on "Signature Selling
Method". There will be complete information on how to access the course and take the Mastery exam.
You need an IBM Web ID (formerly PW ID) and password in order to sign in to the PartnerWorld web site. If you do not have an ID and
password, click on IBM Registration on the PartnerWorld home page and apply for one. For questions, please contact IBM PartnerWorld Contact Services @ 1-800-426-9990 in North America or Contact PartnerWorld in your local region.
When you have completed all the steps above, please send a note to isacert@us.ibm.com. You will then be recognized with the IBM Certified for Infrastructure Systems Architects certification.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Recertification:
In order to maintain IBM Certified Infrastructure Systems Architect status, it is necessary to be recertified every two years. The process involves recertification of the two technical product certifications. Alternatively, you may choose new technical product certifications using the guidelines listed in steps 2A or 2B above.
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