This certification tests your skills and demonstrates that a successful credential holder can position the HP Vertica Big Data Platform appropriately in response to customer needs. It validates your understanding of business drivers and customer pain points, knowledge of analyst reports and case studies, as well as the ability to articulate the business value of HP Big Data solutions. This HP certification also teaches flexible sales approach and the ability to overcome objections.

This certification primarily targets sales representatives seeking opportunities in the Big Data market. To achieve this certification, candidates need to take and pass HP2-N63 exam.

Exam objectives are as follows:

Explain HP Vertica Big Data Platform value proposition and product messaging in the Big Data market

• Describe the different types of data stored by Big Data solutions.
• Describe Vertica Big Data Platform value proposition and key differentiators.

Demonstrate awareness of Vertica Big Data Platform competitors in the Big Data market

• Differentiate Vertica Big Data Platform from legacy data warehousing and analytics technologies.
• Differentiate Vertica Big Data Platform from other Big Data solutions.
• Describe Vertica Big Data Platform positioning with respect to Hadoop.

Understand Vertica Big Data Platform buyers and decision makers

• Explain how to position Vertica Big Data Platform with different decision makers in an opportunity.

HP Vertica Big Data Platform Use Cases

• Identify typical business applications that are appropriate candidates for Vertica Big Data Platform implementation.

Big Data Market Glossary

• Describe relevant terminology and concepts used in the Big Data market.

Still unclear on what the term Big Data actually means?

Big data is a broad term for data sets so large or complex that traditional data processing applications are inadequate. Challenges include analysis, capture, data curation, search, sharing, storage, transfer, visualization, and information privacy. The term often refers simply to the use of predictive analytics or other certain advanced methods to extract value from data, and seldom to a particular size of data set. Accuracy in big data may lead to more confident decision making. And better decisions can mean greater operational efficiency, cost reduction and reduced risk. Vertica Big Data Platform is HP’s big data solution, popular with businesses and enterprises worldwide.

Although there is a variety of QA tools and platforms available and the choice depends on the priorities, needs and processes of your organization, HP’s solutions like HP Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) and HP Unified Functional Testing (UFL) are popular with organizations and their QA professionals worldwide. Recently, HP has introduced 2 certifications to validate the skills using these tools. HP ATP: Application Lifecycle Management v12 addresses using HP’s ALM platform to support QA, while HP ATP: Unified Functional Testing v12 supplies training to those engaged in preparing and executing automated test cases.

Let’s take a close look at these credentials.

HP ATP: Application Lifecycle Management v12

This certification verifies that you can deploy, demonstrate, use, and manage the HP ALM platform to support all phases of the quality and test-management process when working as a QA team member or under the supervision of a senior consultant. It validates your ability to do the following:

• Create releases and release cycles
• Manage requirements and analyze associated risks
• Create and organize test cases and test sets
• Execute manual and automated tests
• Record and track test execution results and defects
• Configure and use version control, libraries, and baselines
• Generate reports and graphs and use the Dashboard
• Work with project planning and tracking (PPT) graphs and reports
• Use the business process models
• Plan for ALM implementation
• Create and manage domains, projects, and templates
• Plan project groups, users, and permissions
• Determine entity customizations
• Implement basic workflows
• Identify and use ALM integrations and extensions, including ALI and the ALM synchronizer

Why earn this certification?

• This certification qualifies you as a recognized QA consultant.
• Certification enables you to become a valuable contributor to your software development team.
• Certification lays the foundation for your career in IT as a QA engineer or ALM administrator.
• Certification prepares you for innovative technologies, methodologies, and approaches that are rapidly transforming the QA landscape and practices (e.g., agile, testing in the cloud, mobile testing, testing as a service).

HP ATP – Unified Functional Testing v12

This professional level certification verifies your understanding of workflow and tasks to automate test cases with HP Unified Functional Testing (UFT). Typical candidates for this certification include testers, automation engineers, services specialists, and technical personnel who implement and integrate GUI, API, and BPT test automation by creating, enhancing, running tests and analyzing run results with HP Unified Functional Testing (UFT). Six months of UFT experience is recommended.

This credential validates your ability to:

• Discuss and plan test automation with HP UFT
• Describe HP UFT testing solution for GUI, API, BPT
• Build modular tests and integrate HP UFT testing solutions
• Create basic GUI automated tests and describe how HP UFT works with objects
• Create basic API tests
• Enhance basic tests with verifications, checkpoints, and parameterization
• Run UFT tests and analyze results
• Describe the HP UFT to QC/ALM integration, including its features and benefits
• Illustrate basic troubleshooting tools and techniques
• Identify how to use VBScript programming elements and advanced scripting techniques
• Recognize how to overcome automation challenges in a Web environment
• Use the HP UFT automation object model
• Use service virtualization in HP UFT

Why earn this certification?

• This certification is a milestone in your career as a QA engineer and verifies your skills in test automation.
• To complement your proven experience and projects track record in test automation with an industry-recognized credential.
• To improve your effectiveness in understanding automation requirements when working closely with build/development teams.
• Certification helps you stand out as a subject matter expert in the crowded QA arena.
• To increase your credibility in a highly competitive, yet still promising job market.

Besides being another tech buzzword we keep hearing, what is big data really about? And will this concept be around long enough for you to build a career?

What is Big Data

According to SAS definition, the term big data describes the exponential growth and availability of data, both structured and unstructured. And big data may be as important to business – and society – as the Internet has become – because larger volumes of data may lead to more accurate analyses.

Basically, big data is a comprehensive term for any collection of data sets that are too large and complex to be processed with traditional data processing applications. The concept of big data, as well as the need for in-depth analysis, detailed capture, curation, search, sharing, storage, transfer, visualization of larger data sets has recently become increasingly popular due to the need for additional information, such as correlations and business trends that can only be seen in the larger data sets. Analyzing larger amounts of data is beneficial to a number of fields and industries. As a result, big data technologies allow businesses and governments to spot business trends, prevent diseases, decrease crime rate and etc.

Big data is difficult to work with using most relational database management systems and desktop statistics and visualization packages, requiring instead massively parallel software running on tens, hundreds, or even thousands of servers” – this software is referred to as big data solutions that encompass data management and analytics. Big data has boosted the demand for information management specialists specializing in data management and analytics.

As more and more companies offer advanced off-the-shelf solutions for big data, it is natural that a number of big data certifications becomes available, too. Like with other tech certification programs, big data certification focus on various aspects, some of them are vendor- specific, while the others aren’t. Here you can see some of the most prominent big data certifications if you consider pursuing a credential in this field.

At the moment, Hewlett Packard seems to have become one of big data top influencers, with HP solutions leading the market. The most prominent big data solutions include HP Records Manager Administrator and HP Data Protector. The company has recently launched two related certifications:

• Learn more about the HP ASE – Records Manager Administrator v8 certification (Expert level certification)
• Learn more about the HP ATP – Data Protector v9 certification (Professional level certification)

HP ATP – Data Protector v9

This professional level credential validates the candidates’ capabilities of configuring and managing HP Data Protector software. It assesses in-depth understanding of backup and recovery concepts as implemented by the HP Data Protector software. It also verifies in-depth knowledge of the functionality of the software as well as its application to typical storage implementations.

Is this certification right for me?

HP ATP – Data Protector v9 credential is right for you if you want to…

• … help organizations make the decision on how and where to protect data, whether it is on-premise, in the cloud, or with a hybrid strategy
• … bring to the IT storage team the ability to refine recovery point and time objectives based on the importance of the information being protected
• … jump-start your career as a storage administrator with a leading vendor certification
• … complement and enhance your recognized storage administration skills and role with vendor-specific subject matter expertise

HP ATP – Data Protector v9 is a good match for candidates who are storage and systems administrators with a thorough understanding of backup and recovery concepts, who are already using or looking into adopting HP Data Protector software to help organizations more effectively address the challenges of protecting their information.

HP ASE – Records Manager Administrator v8

HP ASE – Records Manager Administrator v8 is an expert level credential that validates the candidates’ skills to configure and maintain an HP Records Manager dataset. Moreover, HP ASE – Records Manager Administrator v8 certification holders have a working knowledge of all core functions, including security, Retention Schedules, Classifications, Thesaurus, Locations, and Record Types. They are also confident using other features, such as Alerts, Document Queues, User Labels, Dropzones, and Reporting.

HP ASE – Records Manager Administrator v8 certification targets Records Managers and any staff responsible for the initial configuration and/or ongoing maintenance of HP Records Manager. It validates the holders’ understanding of HP Records Manager’s document management and record management features, as well as thorough understanding of how to use and configure security, Retention Schedules, Classifications, Thesaurus, Locations, and Record Types. The credential shows that its holders have no trouble creating and maintaining other HP Records Manager objects, the knowledge of configuring user-based tools/features (Alerts, Document Queues, Reporting, and Workflow), as well as understanding of the principles of physical records management.

Summing up

Big data is likely to become among the biggest technology trends for the coming years, so pursing a reputable certification in this field looks like a great career path.

What is HP IDOL?

HP IDOL is an information management platform with extremely wide functionality. In fact, the acronym IDOL represents Intelligent Data Operating Layer. HP IDOL is compatible with a wide range of data formats including audio, video, images, social media, email, web content. The IDOL also supports structured data, such as customer transaction logs, which is especially attractive to a number of businesses. HP IDOL is a scalable, secure platform which facilitates better understanding and analysis of content. IDOL’s meaning-based computing with over 500 advanced functions helps users access and use all critical information with maximum efficiency, as well as understand exactly which undercurrents cause the trends and why.

IHP DOL certification path consists of the following credentials:

• HP ATP – IDOL Server v10
• HP ASE – IDOL Server v10

HP ATP – IDOL Server v10

HP ATP – IDOL Server v10 is an entry level certification, and does not have any formal prerequisites. You should, however, have some IT background and possess basic understanding of HP IDOL Server Architecture, be able to identify installed components correctly, and understand the process of data aggregation and indexing from a repository into HP IDOL Server.

Gaining the HP ATP – IDOL certification will make you more compatible on the job market by:

• Helping you gain skills and competencies for the effective design, installation, and administration of HP IDOL solutions.
• Validating that you can maintain and support HP IDOL processes and procedures.
• Increasing your business and professional value by validating your knowledge of effective HP IDOL administration.
• Enhancing your career advancement and job satisfaction as a certified accredited HP IDOL technical professional.

To reach this certification, candidates should take and pass the HP0-A105 (HP IDOL Essentials v10) exam. This 90 minute exam consists of 60 questions and has the passing score of 63%.

HP0-A105 Exam Objectives:

• 15% – A fundamental understanding of the HP IDOL Server architecture and correct identification of installed components.
• 15% – Understanding of HP IDOL configuration settings for effective and efficient HP IDOL deployments and solutions.
• 20% – Understanding of data aggregation and indexing from a repository into HP IDOL Server.
• 20% – Recognition of the appropriate administrative tasks for HP IDOL Server.
• 20% – Effective interaction with HP IDOL Server using action commands.
• 10% – Utilization of HP IDOL Server functionality.

HP ASE – IDOL Server v10

HP ASE – IDOL Server v10 validates candidates’ advanced skills in the IDOL Architecture. This credential is open to candidates who have already reached the ATP – IDOL, and have advanced skills managing the IDOL Server architecture, installing and configuring components, etc.

To reach this credential, candidates need to pass the HP0 – A110 exam (HP IDOL 10.x Advanced). This exam lasts 90 minutes and consists of 60 multiple choice questions.

HP0 – A110 Exam Objectives:

• 12 % -A full understanding of advanced HP IDOL architecture and HP IDOL technology solutions.
• 18% – Comprehension of advanced HP IDOL configuration settings for effective and efficient HP IDOL deployments and solutions.
• 18% – Advanced understanding of data aggregation and indexing from repositories into HP IDOL.
• 8% – Recognition of appropriate advanced methodology for the effective administration of HP IDOL solutions and deployments.
• 23% Interaction of HP IDOL through advanced Action commands.
• 21% – A deep understanding of advanced HP IDOL functionality

Planning to become a certified HP IDOL expert? See what ExamCollection has to offer!

• HP ASE – IDOL v10 certification
• HP ATP – Structured Data Manager v7 certification
• HP ATP – WorkSite v9 certification

In case you haven’t heard this name before, HP Autonomy is a minor software unit of the technology giant. It was founded as an independent software company in 1996 in Cambridge, UK. It was born out of research conducted in Cambridge University.

Autonomy developed a number of enterprise search and knowledge management applications which mostly employed adaptive pattern recognition techniques centered on Bayesian inference as well as some traditional methods. Hewlett-Packard acquired Autonomy in 2011. Although Autonomy remains an independent unit, it is being integrated with HP. The company develops software solutions for IT, Marketing and Legal & Compliance industries.

Since 2011, Autonomy has developed a number of successful software products for HP, so this year the company has launched a number of advanced certifications focused on them.

HP ASE – IDOL v10 Certification

HP ASE – IDOL v10 credential verifies that its holder understands advanced HP IDOL architecture, and has no trouble identifying installed components, and knows configuration settings for successful HP IDOL deployments. Candidates should also be able to recognize and manage the appropriate administrative tasks for HP IDOL, including interacting with HP IDOL through Action Commands, and have a thorough understanding of advanced HP IDOL functionalities.

‘What is HP IDOL exactly?’

IDOL stands for Intelligent Data Operating Layer. HP IDOL is an information management platform wide extremely wide functionality. It works with a variety of data formats including audio, video, images, social media, email, web content. It also supports structured data, such as customer transaction logs – which makes IDOL especially useful for a number of users. This software solution serves as a scalable, secure platform that allows for exceptionally great understanding of content. IDOL’s meaning-based computing with over 500 advanced functions helps users access and use all critical information with maximum efficiency.

HP ATP – Structured Data Manager v7

HP ATP – Structured Data Manager v7 credential demonstrates that its holder is able to install, configure, and manage an HP Structured Data Manager environment. This certification validates the proficiency using HP Structured Data Manager. It also verifies in-depth understanding of the functionality of HP Structured Data Manager.

What is HP Structured Data Manager?

HP Structured Data Manager helps users analyze, manage, and migrate data. It helps organizations simplify their data retirement and archiving process, so the data can be managed and archived – while remaining accessible. HP Structured Data Manager automates application lifecycle management and structured data optimization by relocating inactive data from expensive production systems and legacy databases, while preserving data integrity and access. Structured Data Manager helps organizations reduce their capital expenses and administrative costs while improving their productivity and overall efficiency of IT and support staff.

HP ATP – WorkSite v9

HP ATP – WorkSite v9 certification validates holders’ ability to deploy, configure, and troubleshoot a WorkSite 9 DMS server, a WorkSite IDOL 8.5 indexer, server-side e-mail management technology, and WorkSite 9 desktop clients and search tools.

‘What is HP WorkSite?’

HP WorkSite enables better and more efficient teamwork over the ever-growing amount of documents and email, no matter the location and device. WorkSite easily handles document and email management, placing data in digital files, making them easier to find, share, and reuse. The software unifies content across email inboxes and file systems and between colleagues, partners, and customers, which results in better productivity and improved customer service.

As these are advanced certifications, they all have prerequisites and other details to keep in mind. In our upcoming posts, we’ll be taking a closer look at each one of them.

HP Sales Certified – DesignJet Large Format Printing [2014] credential validates the knowledge and competency needed to sell HP Designjet Large Format Printing solutions to customers. Passing the related exam and obtaining this credential means that the candidate has the knowledge of the complete Designjet T-Series and Z-Series portfolio. This certification covers product positioning, target markets, key values of each printer and product benefits.

Having acquired this certification, the sales professional should  be able to grow their business by recommending HP Designjet Large Format Printing solutions within their customers’ environment. While the certification does not have any prerequisites and is open for everyone, it primarily targets

Typical candidates for this certification are sales professionals seeking to increase their knowledge of HP Designjet Large Format Printing Solutions.

HP Sales Certified – Designjet Large Format Printing [2014] helps candidates achieve the following goals:

• Grow their confidence in recommending and selling HP Desginjet Large Format Printing solutions
• Understand each Designjet T-Series and Z-Series printer, their target markets and key values
• Increase revenue by  providing the best HP Designjet Large Format Printing solution for your customer

To obtain the credential, candidates need to pass HP2-B113 Exam (Selling HP Designjet Large Format Printing). This is an hour-long web based exam that contains 40 questions (multiple choice – single response and multiple response). The minimum passing score is 70%.

Here’s the objectives/sections breakdown for the HP2-B113 Exam:

• 32% T- Series Deep Dive
• 10% – Z2100 Deep Dive
• 10 % – Z3200ps Deep Dive
• 10% – Z5200 Deep Dive
• 25% – Product Highlights
• 5% – HP Software Solutions
• 8% – Target Customers

Would you consider gaining this certification? Why? Feel free to comment and tell us!

Are you a holder of one of the following HP certifications? If you already hold HP ATP – Rack and Tower Server Solutions Integrator V8.1, HP ATP – BladeSystem Solutions Integrator V8.1, HP ATP – Server Administrator V8, HP ATP – Rack and Tower Server Solutions Support V8 (inactive) or HP ATP – BladeSystem Solutions Support V8 (inactive) – you’ll be delighted to know that now HP also awards you its new HP ATP – Server Solutions V1 certification, as announced on the company’s website

Introduced early this month, HP ATP – Server Solutions V1 is a professional level certification that validates candidates’ foundational knowledge of the latest HP server innovations. It verifies the ability to contribute to the design, deployment, administration and management of HP ProLiant and BladeSystem solutions in a converged infrastructure environment.

By putting this credential on your CV (you can either take the exam with no prerequisites, or get your certificate straight away if you hold related certifications mentioned above), you demonstrate that you have a foundational knowledge of the HP server functional architecture including management (such as HP OneView, Onboard Administrator and iLO Management Engine), power and cooling. The credential validates your ability to support server maintenance, management and proactive optimization. The credential will also demonstrate that you have the foundational server knowledge required to support design and intelligent provisioning activities in a converged infrastructure environment.

This certification is ideal for technical professionals who plan, install, configure, use and troubleshoot a server deployment and management environment.

To achieve the credential, candidates need to pass one exam: HP0-S40 Building HP Server Solution. This exam assesses whether you have the knowledge and skills that a Cloud Architect requires on the job. Therefore, many test items present a scenario, which outlines a particular environment or problem.  Click here for a full HP0-S40 study guide.

To start your HP certification exam preparation, you need to acquire access to The Learning Center and get an HP Learner ID.

The Approach

HP have revamped and reformed their certification program a few years ago, with a goal of finding a middle way between offering vendor-focused certifications and providing their candidates with a broader take on the certification areas (think something in-between Cisco and CompTIA certifications). It certainly makes sense given the wide spectrum of technologies and solutions HP provides, as well as the talent and expertise this Silicone Valley giant hosts.

Needless to say, their certifications are valued by employers for the company’s reputation as well as for the fact that HP does not fully base their study programs and certifications on their own technology and products. With this broader take, a certification holder basically gets solid knowledge and background in their area, but it would not be a prescription for their next job. To compare, imagine investing in a few Cisco certifications and then deciding you want to work for a company that relies on Juniper network equipment. Unthinkable, right? And that’s the approach HP seems to try to avoid. While making special emphasis on their technology, as well as special workshops and stuff for their employees and partners, HP keep IT professionals’ options wide open.

The Areas

HPExpertOne certification areas cover the wide range of HP technologies:

• Blades
• Cloud
• Converged Infrastructure
• Desktops and Workstations
• Networking
• Operating Systems
• Printing & Multifunction
• Security
• Servers
• Software
• Solutions
• Storage

Certification Paths

HPExpertOne certification paths layout is pretty standard. The 4 levels cover a broad range of skill levels. Each career certification is aligned to a specific job role, including but not limited to architect, integrator/implementer, administrator and hardware or software support.

• Associate – Academic certifications that introduce business and technical skills covering a wide array of HP solutions, targeted at any individual interested in pursuing a career in the IT job market. The credential brand is HP Accredited Technical Associate, or HP ATA.
• Professional – Technical certifications that develop the foundational skills needed for the HP small to medium business and mid-market solutions. Skills include designing HP solutions, installing and configuring HP technology, and administrating and supporting the solutions once they are in place. Certifications include storage, server, and networking technologies. The credential brand is HP Accredited Technical Professional, or HP ATP.
• Expert – Advanced technical certifications that develop deep technical skills focused on complex enterprise HP technologies and solutions. Skills include designing global solutions, implementing and configuring efficient and effective IT deployments, and administrating and supporting those solutions in a heterogeneous environment. Certifications include but are not limited to Cloud, Converged Infrastructure/advanced data center, Storage, Servers and Networking. The credential brand is HP Accredited Solutions Expert, or HP ASE.
• Master – The highest level of certification develops deep technical skills in advanced HP solutions combined with business acumen in the IT domain. Skills include aligning the IT solution to an organization’s financial and business goals, designing and implementing complex solutions from the proposal stage to live implementation using the full breadth of HP technology and portfolio capabilities. Certifications include but are not limited to Cloud, Converged Infrastructure/advanced data center, Storage, and Networking. The credential brand is HP Master Accredited Solutions Expert, or HP Master ASE.

All in all, being an industry leader with a lot to offer to its employees as well as to other IT professionals, HP have come up with certification programs and standards you can benefit from. More information is available on the official website.