Certification

IBM Value Added Enhancement (VAE) - North America

For easy identification, all VAEs are divided into two functional classifications for descriptive reference, while maintaining the current categories within each class. The VAE classifications to support our Business Partners and IBM's key server strategic initiatives are:

Solutions - VAE categories that are infrastructure, competitive, or software solution oriented

• Application - specific industry segment solutions that consist of software and hardware.
• Cross Industry Technology - software, middleware and highly skilled specialists to implement.

Coverage - VAE categories that are relationship oriented where skills, resources and close proximity to end users are key elements in supporting and servicing the end user's needs

• Commercial - Commercial VAEs are used for installations of IBM products within a specified geography or marketing distance.
• Public Sector - sales to educational institutions, federal and state and local governments where experience and skilled resources are critical factors

VAE Category	Platform Certifications	VAE Certifications	Location Requirements
Application	Yes	No	No
Cross Industry Technology	Yes	Yes*	No
Commercial	Yes	Yes*	Yes*
Public Sector	Yes	Yes*	Yes*

* See each VAE for specific requirements

• Power servers with IBM i:
  Sales: IBM Certified Specialist - Power Systems Sales for IBM i Operating System
  Technical: IBM Certified Specialist - Power Systems Technical Support for i



• Power servers with AIX:
  Sales: IBM Certified Specialist - Power Systems Sales for AIX and Linux
  Technical: IBM Certified Specialist - Power Systems Technical Support for AIX and Linux

Click on the above product for a listing of currently available qualifying certification tests. Test numbers are subject to change.

• Power servers
• System i
• System p
• MES model/processor upgrades (applies to all VAEs unless noted in the VAE description)

1. See VAE Overview for special conditions.
2. Certification is a requirement to maintain VAE approval for Cross Industry Technology VAEs and VAEs that have a sales location requirement. The intent of this Web site is to provide the certifications only that are required for VAE approval and not a complete listing of all VAEs in all categories. For additional information on the VAE and firm requirements and the VAE marketing requirements for the VAEs listed on this Web site, refer to the individual announcement letters.
3. Certification test numbers change when significant changes are made to the exam. Business Partners are expected to take the latest test available at time of testing. If you are unable to locate a specific test number, search for the test name. For current test number information go to http://www.ibm.com/certify/index.shtml.
4. Pre-requisite tests may be required to achieve the certification that is listed within the VAE description. The required pre-requisite tests and/or test numbers are not listed on this Web site. Only the required certifications for VAE approval are listed.
5. Some withdrawn certifications are accepted for VAE approval. These certifications will not have a hot ("live") link for test detail but are listed for information only. If IBM no longer accepts a withdrawn certification for VAE approval, it will be removed from this Web site.
6. Approved solutions for the Cross Industry Technology VAEs can be found in the Operations Library of the BPLibrary in PartnerWorld. The names of the packages are:
   • VAE - Approved ISV solutions for IBM Power servers with IBM i and IBM System i North America Value Added Enhancements
   • VAE - Approved ISV solutions for IBM Power servers with AIX and IBM System p North America Value Added Enhancements
   To access BPLibrary, a password-protected site within PartnerWorld, visit the PartnerWorld home page. On the main menu, select a country. Under "Product shortcuts," select "BP Library".
7. Current Power, System i and/or System p product certification requirements are in effect to maintain VAE approval for any VAE that has a platform certification requirement. Refer to Channel Communications Letter CC0810-229 (U.S./Canada), Business Partner announcement letter 508-414 (U.S./Canada), VAE Marketing Requirements under "Certification - Skills/Product - requirement for VAE approval" and 508-804 (U.S./Canada), POWER6 Recertification under "Certification requirements to maintain VAE approval".
8. Effective July 31, 2005, only those listed on the platform certification requirements Web site will be accepted for any VAE that requires a platform certification to maintain VAE approval.
9. Certifications are to be held by full-time W-2/T4 (U.S/Canada) employees of the Business Partner firm.

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