Mobility for the Enterprise

Archive for Training & Education – Page 5

Mobility for the Enterprise

By Della Wyler
Thursday, April 16th, 2015

Mobile devices are changing the way people go about their day to day activities, as well as how they work. The enterprise needs to evolve with Mobile-Revolutiontheir customers. Enterprise mobility enables the workforce to have immediate access to company data and information through mobile devices at any given time. It allows them to stay connected with a customer base that is always connected. The ease with which mobile devices blend network connectivity and physical freedom presents tough security challenges for organizations.

 Mobile Revolution brings Security Concerns

Some businesses have already launched their mobility plans, including a BYOD policy, and are realizing the benefits through increased productivity and communication. Others are moving at a much slower pace when it comes to inviting mobile devices into their “homes”. Perhaps one of the reasons businesses are apprehensive to join society in the mobility revolution is concerns over security – 70% of survey respondents cited security as one of most important aspects of their mobile devices such as phones and tablets.

Traditionally, it has been possible for IT departments to build desktop and notebook PCs to their security specifications. Mobile devices are different because they are uncontrolled external devices, and their integration to an enterprise platform is often times a conglomeration of end-user applications or services to gain control of the device. Most if not all of these applications or services are alien to the enterprise deploying them. Unrestricted physical access to the device by its users is central to the concept of mobile computing.

Combating Mobile Security Threats & Control Issues

To combat security threats, enterprises need to do a couple of things:

  1. Build in complex proprietary mechanisms to prevent modification of operating systems and apps. This also allows companies to customize to the needs of their employees, customers, and applications.
  2. Get their staff the proper training to build, manage, and use mobile apps

Another enterprise concern is the lack of operating system and application version controls, as well as limited tools to enable unified, massive software updates. This is made more prevalent because of the lack of trained software developers capable of plugging these technical needs in large organizations.

Mobility Training is a Must

There is a large need for trained mobile software developers to create these capabilities, as well as other software anddevice management tools that are so important for these enterprise organizations to efficiently and securely transition their employees to mobile devices from traditional notebook, laptops and desktop PCs. As Mobile devices penetrate the enterprise workforce and evolve with the mobile economic conditions, the search for mobile developers has resulted in a need to train IT developers in the mobile disciplines within enterprise companies nationwide. Employers are beginning to appreciate the need to provide training in the important mobile programming skills and knowledge in order to create in-house experience and keeping it from walking out the door. This shift has emerged as companies continued to struggle to stay ahead of the mobile revolution, where they need to retain their current employees and to attract and retain the talent that drives success in the new mobile economy.

The US Department of Labor estimates that in the 21st century, 22 percent of all new jobs will require mobile skills possessed by only 11 percent of the IT workforce – that’s a pretty significant talent gap. Talent is a key factor in achieving a competitive advantage, and the reality is that talent is also a scarce resource, specifically when it comes to technological skills. With this shift, companies need to reevaluate their business strategies and ensure that a talent strategy is in place. One that attracts, retains, and develops talent. They can have a strategy that includes hiring talent, and/or hiring and then providing corporate training and personal development to build talent. Both strategies have proven to be successful. Companies that fail to invest in employees jeopardize their own success and even survival. In part, this practice has lingered for lack of alternatives.

A quote by Prof Jeffery Pfeffer of Stanford University, and considered one of today’s most influential management thinkers, wrote that “Virtually all descriptions of high performance management practices emphasize training, and the amount of training provided by commitment as opposed to control-orientated management is substantial”. Yet companies seem to be very short-sighted as he also writes that in times of economic stringency, many U.S. organizations reduce training to make profit goals.

Enterprise Mobility App Development Training

Data Collections Unlimited, in partnership with TechSherpas , is embarking in providing a training program for the mobile disciplines. This program will offer the following courses:

  • Developing iOS 8 SWIFT apps for the enterprise
  • Android Enterprise App Development
  • Cordova Enterprise Hybrid App Development
  • AngularJS End-to-end-course

Register now! The Mobility Revolution is upon us!

Categories : Training & Education
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How valuable is the MCSA SQL Server 2012 certification?

By Della Wyler
Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014

Data is one of the most valuable resources to an organization, and because of advances in technology, data access, entry, tracking, and analysis have become easier and more efficient over the years. Get the skills and be the solution organizations need by becoming a SQL Server 2012 expert.

Data really powers everything that we do. This is why having a good database is so important, and why database designers and database analysts are such valuable team members. These highly desired skills can MCSA-SQL-Server-300x300be acquired through specialized data training and certification. Microsoft SQL training allows IT professionals to gain the skills they need to provide specialized solutions for the corporations and businesses they work for. Qualified IT professionals, who harness database design, administration, management, and analytical skills, have the ability to create solutions specific for an organization’s needs, which is crucial in obtaining the data they are looking for. Data is what drives important business decisions. Be the solution they are looking for by getting trained and certified in SQL Server 2012 – you can do all this in just 9 days with the MCSA SQL Server 2012 Certification Boot Camp.

There are actually three different certifications you can get to prove you are a SQL Expert:

1) MCSA: SQL Server 2012 – The MCSA certification confirms a mastery of core SQL Server 2012 skills in three areas: querying relational databases, administering databases and SQL Server instances, and implementing data warehouses. This is the starting point for other database certifications.

2) MCSE: Data Platform – The MCSE Data Platform certification requires a SQL Server 2012 MSCA certification and confirms additional advanced skills for developing databases and designing solutions.

3) MCSE: Business Intelligence – The MCSE Business Intelligence certification also requires a SQL Server 2012 MSCA certification and confirms additional advanced skills for implementing data models and reports and designing business intelligence solutions.

If you want to pursue the MCSE certifications, then you MUST obtain the MCSA certification first.

Microsoft MCSA SQL Certification
The Microsoft MCSA certifications prove that IT professionals have the ability to put Microsoft platforms, tools, and applications to use in a business environment. They are the stepping stones for the more advanced MCSE certifications. Earning a MCSA SQL Server 2012 certification, and acquiring the associated skill sets and knowledge, qualifies you for a position as a database developer or database analyst, with an average salary of about $90,000 and $73,000, respectively. Not too shabby! Probably worth the investment, don’t you think?

MCSA SQL Server 2012 Certification Boot Camp
The MCSA SQL Server 2012 Certification requires IT professionals to pass three exams, covering three main topics:

Course 10774: Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012
Course 10775: Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases
Course 10777: Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012
By participating in certification training courses, students can better prepare themselves to ensure that they pass the associated exams to earn the MCSA. A Certification training boot camp class combines and condenses the required training, which saves time and money.

Sign-Up for MCSA SQL Server Certification Training
The TechSherpas MCSA SQL Server 2012 Certification Boot Camp covers topics from all three courses 10774, 10775, and 10777 and also includes:

100% Test Pass Guarantee
All course materials, practice exams and official certification exams
Onsite Pearson Vue Testing Center
Hands-on instruction by a certified instructor
Lunch provided each day (in-classroom delivery only)
Airfare, lodging and transportation packages available
This Boot Camp condenses 15 days of training into 9 days – getting students in and out with real SQL knowledge, skills, and best of all, a MCSA Certification, which again is a prerequisite for the two Database MCSE certifications.

The certification boot camp can be taken live from our training facility in Tampa, FL or students can remote into the live class, via RCI, and take it virtually from their home or office.

The next date to attend this MCSA SQL Boot Camp is coming up soon on 4/25. Click here to see the other class dates, and sign up.

Categories : Microsoft, Training & Education
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Microsoft Certification Training

By Della Wyler
Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

IT Certifications can help IT professionals get ahead in their careers, assist those entering the IT field to land a job, and provide knowledge to accel on the job. Training for certifications ensures that that students are actually acquiring the knowledge and also ensures they will pass the certification exam. Microsoft certification training via a boot camp program, enables IT professionals to earn in-demand certifications quickly, and prepares them for the competitive job market. These programs are at a slightly faster pace to get people in and out, and back in the field.

TechSherpas is now offering an accelerated certification training program. The Certification Boot Camp program kicks off with the the MCSA certifications, which are prerequisites for the higher level and in-demand MCSE certifications. Both MCSA certification training boot camps are starting next month!

9-day MCSA: Windows Server 2012 boot camp – April 7, 201
9-day MCSA: SQL 2012 boot camp – April 25, 2014
These are prerequisites for the MCSE certifications which are scheduled to follow throughout the rest of 2014.

There are 18 boot camps in total, with multiple date options for each through the end of the year.These Microsoft Certification Boot Camps provide students the opportunity to achieve an MCSA, MCSE, or MCSD certification within a week or two. The program includes boot camps covering Microsoft’s popular areas of interest including:

Exchange Server
Lync Server
SharePoint
SQL Server
System Center
Visual Studio
Window
Windows Server
TechSherpas 365’s Microsoft Certification Boot Camps are competitively priced, and are all-inclusive to include the following:

100% Test Pass Guarantee
All course materials, practice exams and official certification exams
Onsite Pearson Vue Testing Center­
Hands-on instruction by a certified instructor
Lunch provided each day (in-classroom delivery only)
Airfare, lodging and transportation packages available
As with all other TechSherpas 365’s technical training classes, these courses are hands-on, instructor- led. Students also have the option to choose the delivery method that best suits their needs and preference. They can either take the class live from TechSherpas 365’s 8,000 sf training facility located in Tampa, FL, or they can take the instructor-led class virtually from the location of their choice, via Remote Classroom Instruction. Students who choose to take the class virtually will receive 10% off the boot camp price.

Microsoft certification training
Microsoft certification training
As a Microsoft Gold Partner for Learning Solutions, TechSherpas has the expertise to deliver quality certification boot camps. To find out more about these certification training camps and get a jump on your certification, visit the TechSherpas Boot Camp web page.

Categories : Microsoft, Training & Education
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Project Management Training

By Della Wyler
Monday, January 6th, 2014

Project Management is a highly sought after skill that encompasses many different skill-sets including, organization, leadership, and time and resource management. It’s a skill that is developed through both specialized training and experience managing successful projects and project failures. In a survey conducted by CIO.com, they found seven must-have skills for Project Managers:

1) Be highly organized and a good multi-tasker

2) Take charge and know how to lead

3) Be an effective communicator

4) Know how and when to negotiate

5) Be detail-orientated

6) Recognize and solve problems quickly

7) Possess the necessary technical skills

Project Management
Project Management
There are certifications and software tools available that help those pursuing a career in Project Management, build these seven must-have-skills. Getting a certification is important as it demonstrates your ability to understand the fundamentals and common language of project management. Once you have this knowledge it is even more important to know how to apply them to real projects, and build and learn from your project experience. Tools such as Microsoft Project allow you to apply the project management principles, be more productive, and overall be a better project manager.

The Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
PMI’s Project Management Professional (PMP) credential demonstrates that you have the experience, education and competency to lead and direct projects. The PMP certification establishes a common language among project managers and helps each other work within a common framework. A Project Management Certification is great for any industry, and will teach you how to organize a project from beginning to end. If you have a desire to pursue a career managing projects, this certification will provide you with the solid foundation and understanding of everything you need to know to be an effective project manager. Experience comes with time, but the foundation and understanding of the basic project management principles will come from training.

Taking the PMP exam is not free. Training for the PMP will ensure that you pass the exam the first time you take it. Among the things you will learn in the PMP training class are:

The Project Management Framework
Project Scope Management
Project Time Management
Project Cost Management
Project Quality Management
Human Resource Management
Click here to learn more about the Professional Management Professional (PMP) Certification Preparation class.

Benefits of using Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project
We know experience is gained over time, and that experience is a strong quality that can make a great project manager. The great Project Managers have found that there are tools, when utilized consistently throughout the project, that make job tasks easier, making them more productive and effective project managers. These tools help them deliver their projects on time, on budget, while meeting or exceeding expectations. One of the tools out there that has helped Project Managers tremendously is Microsoft Project. The truth is, if you are a Project Manager and you are not using this tool then, you are missing out on the opportunity to really excel in the project management role. The Microsoft (MS) Project management tool can surely help develop these must-have-skills.

MS Project for Organization and Multi-Tasking
Microsoft Project helps Project Managers get organized and stay organized. The Project templates allow project managers to easily plan and manage their project for beginning to end. Task Path highlighting allows users to indicate which tasks are most important.

MS Project helps you be a team leader
The Project tool provides Project managers a platform where they can assign tasks to individual team members, as well as share and collaborate. The tool creates timelines, giving the ability to monitor the time is takes to complete a task. Project managers can learn and recognize when adjustments need to be made in order to maintain schedule and budget. A strong leader emerges when actions are taken before the project gets off track.

Effective communication with MS Project
Communication is a key contributor to project success. Projects can crumble because of the lack of communication between all parties and team members involved. Microsoft Project has great communication features that keeps everyone connected. Sharing and collaboration is easy as ever with all project information located in one central place that all team members have access to at all times. Keeping your team informed of project status, and allowing them to share input is crucial in maintaining proper communication.

Give attention to detail with the help of MS Project
This tool allows you to break down tasks as much as needed to get very detailed on the time and budget needed for each task. Over time, a Project Manager can learn from this data, and adjust and predict future schedules and budget.

Microsoft Project Training Classes
There are a number of Microsoft Project training classes you can take:

50413: Mastering Microsoft Project 2010
50552: Microsoft Project 2010 Exam Prep Bootcamp
55054: Mastering Microsoft Project 2013
91110: Microsoft Project 2013: Part 1
91111: Microsoft Project 2013: Part 2
Microsoft Project 2010 Level 1
Microsoft Project 2010 Level 2
Ultimate Microsoft Project 2013 Exam Prep Boot Camp
Project Management Principles for IT Professionals
Project Management skills are helpful in any industry, and IT professionals are amongst those who could use project management training. IT projects require tight budgets and timelines, while maintaining quality, which sadly aren’t being met. We can at the recent launch of the Obamacare website as an example of poor IT project management which led to disaster. There are training classes out there specifically for IT Professionals. These classes dive into the project management principles, but training in Microsoft Project is also recommended so you know how to implement and manage you projects better. The Project Management Principles for IT Professionals training class, not only prepares students for the CompTIA Project+ exam, but provides essential training in several areas including, but not limited to:

necessary business knowledge
interpersonal skills
discovery and analysis of problem/opportunity
developing a schedule and budget
project planning and team development
identifying variances in schedule and budget and outline corrective actions
Get more information on Project Management Principles for IT Professionals here.

Excel with Project Management Training
There are several things that make a good project management, seven must-have-skills to be exact. These skills are acquired through training and experience, as we have discussed here. If you are serious about pursuing a career where you will be managing projects, then getting the training and certifications is the first step. This will certainly push your resume to the top of the stack. Once you land the job (maybe not the one you want in the long-run), it is most important to apply these concepts and training to the real thing, and gain the invaluable experience companies are looking for. Experience is valuable and highly sought, and will come with time. Visit our website to register for a class, or contact one of our reps to get started today (866)704-9244.

Categories : IT Certifications, Microsoft, Project, Project Management, Training & Education
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Qualified IT Security Professionals Needed – IT Security Certifications can help

By Della Wyler
Thursday, November 21st, 2013

With IT security threats increasing and the number of qualified IT security personnel decreasing, organizations, both public and private, are facing a serious problem. Countless organizations are realizing they need more IT security man power to handle the growing number of threats that can harm their business and their valued customers. The small number of IT security staff is just not cutting it these days, and because of this, IT security is the fastest growing field in IT. Data from Indeed, a popular job site, showed help ads for security professionals increased by 100% during the past five years.  So do you think investing in IT security education is a good idea right now? I would think yes! Not only would a career in IT security provide job security, but the pay isn’t too shabby either. The average salary of a Security Specialist or Network Administrator is almost $94,000. Be the solution organizations are looking for by getting qualified in IT security.

Getting qualified for an IT Security Career

Pursuing a career in IT security is an excellent path to travel down, when deciding how you want to create job and financial stability. So where should you begin? There are several ways that you can build your resume to showcase your IT security skills. What can you do to land the security job you are looking for? What will help you stand out from the group?

1)      Know IT Security – Be knowledgeable on the subject. Read about IT security news and events both historical and current. Follow the trending topics. There are plenty out there, as you can’t turn on the TV without hearing about some IT security threat. These threats are even making great story plots for Hollywood.

2)      Obtain Security Certifications – Having a solid foundation, understanding, and skillset is also crucial to successful deployment of IT security practices. It’s these skills that save organizations money and hassles, and also give them peace of mind. Certification and specialized training are excellent ways to get those skills and build the knowledge of a highly respected IT security professional. There are various certifications you can get, which we will discuss in more detail.

3)      Hands-On Experience – Set-up your own “working lab”. Take things apart, and put them back together. Hack into your system, and then create security features to prevent those break ins. Hands-on experience is always best. Experience allows you to put your skills and knowledge to use. Get in an entry-level position as soon as possible, or volunteer. Experience is developed by working through the problems.

Security Certifications

When it comes to IT security there are several certifications that are worth looking into and obtaining. Depending on your level of IT experience, you will want to start with more entry-level certifications, and build up to the more advanced ones as you feel more comfortable, gain more experience, and are ready to advance your IT security career.

CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is an international, vendor-neutral certification. It is an entry/foundation –level certification that demonstrates competency in:

  • Network security
  • Compliance and operational security
  • Threats and vulnerabilities
  • Application, data and host security
  • Access control and identity management
  • Cryptography

CompTIA Security+ not only ensures that candidates will apply knowledge of security concepts, tools, and procedures to react to security incidents; it       ensures that security personnel are anticipating security risks and guarding against them. Candidate job roles include security architect, security engineer, security consultant/specialist, information assurance technician, security administrator, systems administrator, and network administrator. Kick start your IT security career – start training for your CompTIA Security+ certification.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Certified ethical hackers aka “Whitehats” are those highly skilled IT professionals that have the ability to beat hackers at their own game by uncovering systems’ weaknesses and vulnerabilities. By revealing these vulnerabilities and identifying the access points, these can be addressed before the “bad guys” have the opportunity to penetrate the system and create havoc on the company as well as its customers. The CEH credential is an intermediate certification, and demonstrates competency in:

  • foot-printing and reconnaissance,
  • scanning networks, enumeration
  • system hacking
  • Trojans
  • worms and viruses
  • sniffers
  • denial of service attacks
  • social engineering
  • session hijacking
  • hacking webservers, wireless networks and web applications
  • SQL injection
  • Cryptography
  • penetration testing
  • and evading IDS, firewalls, and honeypots

Those with a CEH certification are good candidates for the following positions: Network Testing, Systems Analyst Specialist, Information Technology Security Specialist, IT Vulnerability Specialist, and Tester/Ethical Hacker. To kick-off your IT security career, and start training for your Certified Ethical Hacker certification click here.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

For those IT professionals that are serious about a career in IT security the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is a must. These IT professionals possess expert knowledge and technical skills necessary to develop, guide, and then manage security standards, policies, and procedures within their organizations. This is an advanced vendor-neutral IT security credential that is recognized world-wide, and demonstrates competency in:

  • Access Control
  • Application Development Security
  • Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning
  • Cryptography
  • Information Security Governance and Risk Management
  • Legal Regulations
  • Compliance and Investigations
  • Operations Security
  • Physical Environmental Security
  • Security Architecture and Design and Telecommunications and Network Security

The CISSP certification is meant for experienced IT professionals and offers three concentrations for targeted areas:

  • CISSP Architecture
  • Engineering
  • Management

Those with a CISSP certification are good candidates for the following positions: Senior Analyst, IT Security Threat & Vulnerability Director, Principal Security Strategist, and Network Engineer. To advance your career in IT security, start training for your Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) certification.

Certified Penetration Testing Engineer (CPTE)

Another certification based around ethical hacking, Certified Penetration Engineer (CPTE) specializes in penetrating systems – they learn how to locate a system’s vulnerabilities and exploit a system’s weakness, which allows them to create safeguards against the real threats. The CPTE certification demonstrates competence in several area of penetration testing:

  • Information Gathering
  • Scanning
  • Enumeration
  • Exploitation
  • Reporting

Through utilizing and mastering these important techniques, penetration engineers are able to discover the latest vulnerabilities, threats, and techniques blackhat hackers are using today. To build a career with a focus penetration testing, start training for your Certified Penetration Testing Engineer (CPTE) certification..

Job Security through IT Security

IT Security threats are everyday occurrences that organizations world-wide, both private and public, need to be aware of and face head-on. They need to be pro-active in preventing breaches and penetration of their valuable and confidential systems. These are real threats that can be devastating to any organization, big or small. This is the reason the need for IT security professionals is increasing on a daily basis, with no sign of slowing. The world needs more, many more, qualified IT professionals to handle the growing threat. Get knowledgeable in the IT security world. Know the threats that are out there. Even better, get certified! Contact TechSherpas to start your journey of a successful career in IT security.

Categories : CompTIA, Hacking, IT Certifications, IT Security, Training & Education
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We’ve added 70+ new IT Training Classes to our schedule!

By Della Wyler
Friday, November 1st, 2013

The end of the year is fast approaching and we have added a new lineup of IT training classes to kick off 2014. Some of the new classes will be available prior to year’s end, but you can expect to see all the classes listed 100s-of-classes-300x300below on our 2014 training schedule, including our Guaranteed-to-Run schedule. You can register for any of these courses online or you can contact a TechSherpas rep to handle your scheduling needs. Call today (866)704-9244.

New IT Training Classes
Click on the links below to access the class outlines and available dates. Additional 2014 dates coming soon. To browse our full course schedule visit out courses page here.

50523: Deploying the Optimized Desktop with Windows 7 and Office 2010 – $1,485 – 3

50560: Windows 7 Essentials: Usability, Security and Manageability – $495 – 1

10964: Datacenter Monitoring with System Center Operations Manager – $1,980 – 4

50524: Installing and Configuring Service Level Dashboard – $990 -2

55007: System Center 2012 Orchestrator – $1,485 – 3

55009: System Center 2012 Service Manager – $2,475 – 5

55054: Mastering Microsoft Project 2013 – $1,485 – 3

80289: What’s New in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 – $495 – 1

10968: Designing for Office 365 Infrastructure – $1,485 – 3

50578: MDX with Microsoft Analysis Services: How to ask questions and get accurate answers from your Data – $1,485 – 3

50595: Master Data Services with SQL 2008 R2 – $1,485 – 3

50596: Dashboards for Monitoring, Analyzing and Managing – $1,485 – 3

50465: PerformancePoint 2010 Designing and Implementing Scorecards and Dashboards – $1,485 – 3

55003: SharePoint 2010 Business Intelligence Services – $1,980 – 4

55059: Report Builder and PerformancePoint 2010 Combo Pack – $2,475 – 5

55005: Microsoft Report Builder 3.0 with SQL 2008R2, SQL 2012 Express and SQL 2012 – $990 – 2

10967: Fundamentals of a Windows Server Infrastructure – $2,475 – 5

10969: Active Directory Services with Windows Server – $2,475 – 5

10970: Networking with Windows Server – $2,475 – 5

20409: Server Virtualization with Windows Server Hyper-V and System Center – $2,475 – 5

20488: Developing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 Core Solutions – $2,475 – 5

20489: Developing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 Advanced Solutions – $2,475 – 5

55042: SharePoint 2013 Business Intelligence – $1,485 – 3

55045: Microsoft End to End Business Intelligence Boot Camp – $2,475 – 5

55049: PowerPivot, Power View and SharePoint 2013 Business Intelligence Center for Analysts – $990 – 2

55057: SharePoint 2013 PerformancePoint Services – $1,485 – 3

55058: PowerPivot and Report Builder Combo Pack – $1,980 – 4

55060: Report Builder and PerformancePoint 2013 Combo Pack – $2,475 – 5

55061: PerformancePoint 2013 and MDX Combo Pack – $2,475 – 5

55050: SharePoint 2013 End User Level I – $1,485 – 3

55052: SharePoint 2013 End User Level II – $1,485 – 3

55031: SharePoint 2013 End User – $1,485 – 3

55026: Upgrading your End User Skills to SharePoint 2013 – $1,485 – 3

91014: Microsoft Office Excel 2013: Part 1 – $250 – 1

91015: Microsoft Office Excel 2013: Part 2 – $250 – 1

91016: Microsoft® Office Excel® 2013: Part 3 – $250 – 1

91116: Microsoft Office 365: Web Apps and Collaboration for Office 2013 – $250 – 1

91024: Microsoft Office Word 2013: Part 1 – $250 – 1

91025: Microsoft Office Word 2013: Part 2 – $250 – 1

91026: Microsoft Office Word 2013: Part 3 – $250 – 1

91033: Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2013: Part 1 – $250 – 1

91034: Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2013: Part 2 – $250 – 1

91043: Microsoft Office Outlook 2013: Part 1 – $250 – 1

91044: Microsoft Office Outlook 2013: Part 2 – $250 – 1

91004: Microsoft Office Access 2013: Part 1 – $250 – 1

91005: Microsoft Office Access 2013: Part 2 – $250 – 1

91006: Microsoft Office Access 2013: Part 3 – $250 – 1

91110: Microsoft Project 2013: Part 1 – $250 – 1

91111: Microsoft Project 2013: Part 2 – $250 – 1

NetScaler 10 Advanced Implementation – $5,000 – 5

Managing Citrix XenDesktop 7 Solutions – $5,000 – 5

Deploying Citrix XenDesktop 7 Solutions – $5,000 – 5

Designing Citrix XenDesktop 7 Solutions – $5,000 – 5

Deploying Citrix XenMobile and Managing Devices – $2,000 – 2

Oracle Database 11g: Administration Workshop II Ed 2 – $3,500 – 5

Oracle Database 11g: Backup and Recovery Workshop Ed 1 – $2,100 – 3

Oracle Database 11g: Performance Tuning Ed 2 – $3,500 – 5

Oracle 11g: RAC and Grid Infrastructure Administration Accelerated Ed 3 – $7,560 – 5

Oracle Database 11g: Security Ed 2 – $4,200 – 5

Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g: Build Applications with ADF Accelerated Ed 2 – $2,100 – 5

Commitment Control Rel 9.1 Ed 3 – $2,520 – 3

Intro to PeopleSoft/HR/Benefits Accelerated – US Rel 9.1 Ed 1 – $4,200 – 4

PeopleSoft Time and Labor – North America Rel. 9.1 Ed 1 – $3,360 – 4

Oracle WebCenter Sites 11g: Architecture Ed 1$1,400 – 2

Categories : Training & Education
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Microsoft SharePoint Business Intelligence Training

By Della Wyler
Friday, October 18th, 2013

“BI is about providing the right data at the right time to the right people so that they can take the right decisions” – Nic Smith with Microsoft BI Solutions Marketing. Because of its collaboration features, SharePoint is the tool that can get important data to the right people at the right time. Data is one of the most valuable resources to an organization, and because of advances in technology, data access, entry, tracking, and analysis has become easier and more efficient over the years. Business Intelligence (BI) is a set of theories, methodologies, processes, architectures, and technologies that transform raw data into meaningful and useful information for business purposes. Microsoft SQL Server provides the necessary storage and management foundation for business data, and a set of reporting an analysis tools. Microsoft SharePoint can help users access and analyze the data, giving them the ability to make better business decisions. Analysis of data is even more important than the data itself. We can collect and collect, but it’s what we do with the data we collect that it most crucial to monitoring and improving business operations. You are probably aware of the excellent sharing and collaboration functionalities of SharePoint, but did you also know it is a great business intelligence tool, with tremendous analyzing capabilities?

 SharePoint 2010 Business Insights

 

There are several different business intelligence tools within SharePoint that are used based on the data you are analyzing and the problem you are trying to solve. The SharePoint server platform allows users to obtain information from various unstructured sources such as blogs, wikis, presentations, and documents, as well as structured sources such as reports, spreadsheets, and analytical systems. Data can be drawn from Excel, Visio services, and SQL, and published in SharePoint where users can recognize the interface, and the data can be used to make insightful business decisions.

SharePoint and Excel and PowerPivot for Excel –Used to give users browser-based access to a server-calculated version of an Excel spreadsheet. Users can view, refresh, and interact with analytic models connected to data sources, and for analysis, filtering, and presentation of locally stored data. PowerPivot for Excel and SharePoint allows users to combine native Excel 2010 functionality with the PowerPivot in-memory engine so users can interactively explore and perform calculations on large data sets. Use PowerPivot for Excel when you want to quickly manipulate millions of rows of data into a single Excel workbook for ad-hoc reports.

Excel Services – A Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 shared service that brings the power of Excel to SharePoint Server by providing server-side calculation and browser-based rendering of Excel workbooks. Excel Services can be used for: Real-time, interactive reporting to include parameterized what-if analysis, for distribution of all or part of a workbook for analysis by using SharePoint Server or the Office client applications, and as a platform for building business applications. Use Excel Services when an end user or analyst wants to share content with multiple persons across an organization. It provides a mechanism for taking authored content in Excel 2010 and making it available in a browser. Excel Services is also used when an end user or analyst has generated a model that can be widely used (such as a mortgage calculator). In both cases, Excel Services lets the author publish targeted content without making the underlying intellectual property available to consumers.

Visio Services – A new service on the Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 platform that allows users to share and view Visio diagrams. The service also enables data-driven Microsoft Visio 2010 web drawings, VDW files, to be refreshed from a variety of external data sources. Visio 2010 and Visio Services let you connect diagrams to data from multiple data sources (including Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, SQL Server, and SharePoint Foundation List), publish data-driven diagrams to Visio Services on SharePoint Server, and view and refresh datadriven diagrams in a browser. Visio Services and SharePoint Server integration supports visual mashups of actionable data and diagrams for an information-rich viewing experience. Data overlaid on diagram helps put information in context making it more meaningful. Datadriven diagrams help identify trends and exceptions at a glance. Use Visio Services to build a visual representation of your business structures that are bound to data. Examples include healthcare metrics on a hospital floor, retail metrics on a store layout, network health status on an IT network, organizational chart with metrics for each individual.

Performance Point Services – In SharePoint Server 2010 is a performance management service with tools to monitor and analyze business. It provides easy-to-use tools for building dashboards, scorecards, and key performance indicators (KPIs). PerformancePoint Services can help individuals across an organization makeinformed business decisions that align with company-wide objectives and strategy. You can bring together data from multiple data sources (including Analysis Services, SQL Server SharePoint lists and Excel Services) to track and monitor your data. Use the visualization Decomposition Tree is a new report type that enables you to quickly and visually break down higher-level data values from a multi-dimensional data set to understand the driving forces behind those values. Use PerformancePoint Services for creating dashboards, scorecards, and key performance indicators (KPIs) that help deliver a summarized view of business a performance. The dashboard is a point of entry to drilldown analysis for driving agility and alignment across an organization. PerformancePoint Services gives users integrated analytics for monitoring, analyzing, and reporting.

 

  • SQL Server Reporting Services – Provides a full range of ready-to-use tools and services to help you create, deploy, and manage reports for your organization, as well as programming features that enable you to extend and customize reports. The report authoring tools work with an Office type application and are fully integrated with both SQL Server tools and components as well as the SharePoint Server environment. You can build reports on top of SharePoint lists, publish reports to SharePoint Server 2007 or 2010, incorporate reports inside your portal using a reports Web Part, and fully manage your reports published in SharePoint document libraries. When to use SQL Server Reporting Services. Use SQL Server Reporting Services to deliver reports that publish at regular intervals and on-demand. It’s also suitable where report requirements are well established and customers are not always familiar with the underlying data set.

Save 10% on SharePoint Training for Business Intelligence class

This information provides some insight on how SharePoint 2010 can assist with BI and really leverage important business decisions. To get hands-on training of how these tools work, and learn how to use them within your own organization in specific situations, there is a SharePoint training class that you can take! Microsoft Official course 50429: SharePoint 2010 Business Intelligence is a 5-day instructor-led course that explores how to use SharePoint as your platform for Business Intelligence. It takes you through the SharePoint Business Intelligence Center, Excel Services, Reporting Services, Analysis Service, Performance Point and PowerPivot to implement your BI Strategies and enable your decision makers to see data in new and dynamic ways! This course will take you down a path of building a BI environment from scratch to full interactive dashboards using the Microsoft BI Stack. This course is running on 11/4/2013, so you still have plenty of time to register, and we are offering and 10% discount when you register with promo code SP10BI. You can either register online by clicking here, or you can contact a TechSherpas Rep by calling 866-704-9244.

 

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Vendor-Neutral Certifications create a solid foundation to build upon – Get CompTIA Certified

By Della Wyler
Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

It should no longer be a surprise that certifications hold weight, and can be the deciding factor in selecting the best candidate for the job or promotion. IT certifications continue to be key indicators of knowledge and skills sets required by the IT staff of successful organizations. Among the certifying IT entities, is CompTIA who strives to be the voice of thecomptia world’s information technology (IT) industry. CompTIA is the world’s largest provider of technology-neutral and vendor-neutral certifications, and the education and certification programs prepare individuals for a successful career in the IT field. These neutral certifications create a solid foundation for higher-level, and vendor –specific, and multi-vendor environments they will encounter on the job.

There are four different CompTIA IT certification series that test different knowledge standards, from entry-level to expert. Here, we will focus on four specific certifications within the Professional & Specialty series that are quite popular within the job market at this time:

CompTIA A+

This is the perfect certification for those who are looking to start a career in the IT field, and will help land you an entry level IT position. The A+ certification demonstrates your knowledge of the fundamentals of hardware, software and operating systems; system troubleshooting and repair; networking; security and operational procedures including communication skills that a helpdesk or remote support employee should have. Good candidates for this certification are:

  • Network Support Technicians
  • Field Service Technicians
  • PC or Support technicians
  • IT Administrators

CompTIA A+ is supported by top technology companies and organizations. In fact, CompTIA A+ is part of the certification track for corporations such as Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, and Cisco. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires CompTIA.

CompTIA Security+

The Security+ certification demonstrates proven knowledge of security concepts, tools, and procedures to proactively guard against IT security risks and quickly react to security breaches. It helps ensure competency in:

  • Network security
  • Compliance and operational security
  • Threats and vulnerabilities
  • Application, data and host security
  • Access control and identity management
  • Cryptography

Good candidates for CompTIA Security+ certification include:

  • Security Architect
  • Security Engineer
  • Security Consultant/Specialist
  • Information Assurance Technician
  • Security Administrator
  • Systems Administrator
  • Network Administrator

CompTIA Security+ is regularly required in organizations such as Hitachi Information Systems, Trendmicro, Lockhead Martin, the U.S. State Department, and U.S. government contractors such as EDS, General Dynamics, and Northrop Grumman.

 CompTIA Cloud Essentials

The CompTIA Cloud Essentials specialty certification demonstrates that an individual knows what cloud computingmeans from a business and technical perspective, as well as, at a high level, what is involved in moving to and governing the cloud .The CompTIA Cloud Essentials certification will target candidates in IT and non-IT job roles who could benefit from cloud education and testing on the high level business and technical concepts that make up the cloud computing landscape. The certification can also credential the ‘cloud brokers’—those who sell cloud services or whose strategic business plans include cloud technologies for their organization.

Target candidates include:

  • Business analysts and business process owners
  • Managed Service Providers
  • New data center staff
  • Sales/marketing staff in cloud product or service environments

“By 2015, public cloud services will make up 46% of net new growth in overall IT spending” – eWeek 2011.

CompTIA Network+

The Network+ certification proves a technicians competency in managing, maintaining, troubleshooting, operating and configuring basic network infrastructure. Certified professionals have proven knowledge of networking features and functions, including wiring standards and how to use testing tools. CompTIA

Network+ certification is the first step toward a job as a network engineer or manager, and maps to vendor-specific certifications such as Cisco’s CCNA. Candidates for CompTIA Network+ certification:

  • Network Administrator
  • Network Support Technician
  • Wireless Network Installer/Specialist
  • Help Desk Technician
  • Network Solutions Architect
  • Network Engineer, Managed Services

Network+ is recognized by Microsoft as part of their MS program. Other corporations, such as Novell, Cisco and HP also recognize CompTIA Network+ as part of their certification tracks. Department of Defense (DoD) approves CompTIA Network+ to fulfill certification requirements for Technical Level 1 positions. The average starting salary of network engineers can be up to $70,000.

CompTIA Linux+

CompTIA Linux+ is a great first certification to develop your educational and career path in Linux administration. Linux platforms are becoming a popular alternative to commercial operating systems. Government agencies, corporations and academic institutions are turning to Linux to manage their IT needs, primarily in server support and storage. CompTIA Linux+ proves you have the knowledge and skills to work at the Linux command line, perform maintenance tasks, assist users, and install and configure workstations.

Certified professionals have a proven knowledge of Linux system architecture; Linux installation and package management; GNU and Unix commands; Linux file systems, and the Filesystems Hierarchy Standard. Candidates for CompTIA Linux+:

  • Junior Network Administrator
  • Systems Administrator
  • IT Helpdesk Support
  • Linux Database Administrator
  • Web Administrator

The U.S. Navy recognizes CompTIA Linux+ as an option to fulfill the DoD Operating System certification requirement.

CompTIA Certifications will prepare you for any IT career path 

 

Any of these vendor-neutral certifications will prepare you for a successful career in IT, regardless of which path, technology, vendor, or organization you chose to work for or specialize in. These certifications provide a solid foundation in which you can build upon, and can serve as a stepping stone to more advanced and vendor-specific certifications such as Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, and VMware. To begin your path to the IT career of your choice, get the competitive edge businesses are looking for. Get certified today. TechSherpas is a CompTIA Authorized Partner. Follow the links to view the courses, dates available, and register to prepare for the certification exams:

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Does your organization have a Corporate Training / Skills Development Strategy?

By Della Wyler
Thursday, August 22nd, 2013

As the workforce continues to evolve with the economic conditions, capitalism has faded and talentism has begun to resonate within companies nationwide. This shift emerged as companies continued to struggle to stay ahead through the down economy, where it matters less if companies can access the capitalism they need and more on their ability to attract and retain the talent that drives success. The US Department of Labor estimates that in the 21st century, 60 percent of all new jobs will require skills possessed by only 20 percent of the workforce – that’s a pretty significant talent gap. Talent is a key factor in achieving a competitive advantage, and the reality is that talent is also a scarce resource, specifically when it comes to technological skills. With this shift, companies need to reevaluate their business strategies and ensure that a talent strategy is in place. One that attracts, retains, and develops talent. They can have a strategy that includes hiring talent, and/or hiring and then providing corporate training and personal development to build talent. Both strategies have proven to be successful.

The benefits of Corporate Training & Personal Development
Studies have shown there is a significant link between high engagement and personal development. There are several reasons why organizations should encourage and provide personal development and skills training for their employees.

Encouraging personal growth leads to employee motivation and retention
Training can give your organization a competitive edge
Increase Employee Performance
According to the Corporate Executive Board (CEB), supervisors who are effective at developing people can increase employee:

Performance by up to 25 percent
Engagement by up to 29 percent
Retention by up to 410 percent
Skill Development, through training and certification, is one way companies can encourage improvement and development of their employees, who are the driving forces behind business success.

Embrace technology to create a strong talented workforce
Technology should not be feared and avoided, but rather embraced and utilized. Use it to strengthen your talent strategy. Use it to maximize your resources.

In a recent article by Marty Nowlin (Riding the Technology Wave), he discusses how companies need to embrace technology, confront changes head on, and align it with the right talent strategy. He lays out 6 steps that can be taken to maximize the opportunity that technology presents:

Use technology to discover untapped potential – Use it to reach and work with people from all over the world. The talent you need may not always be in your backyard. Through technological advances you can reach the talented people you need, no matter where they are located!
Use technology to make training more effective – Again, with the advancements in technology, training can be done more effectively and efficiently, saving time and money. When training can take place remotely from the office, from an employee’s work stations, they can transfer knowledge more easily and apply it on the spot. Remote connectivity has provided significant enhancements to the training industry. It allows people to connect to the office and with each other without physical presence. With Remote Classroom Instruction (RCI), people can train from anywhere – home, office, etc. – saving time and money. Read more about Remote Classroom Instruction (RCI) here.
Work or train virtually.
Work or train virtually.
Use Technology as a “one-size-fits-one” approach – One of the great things about technology is that it has evolved in such a way that it can really be personalized to fit a person’s or company’s specific needs. One example – a company can create a menu of training classes that their staff can select from based on their specific job roles and functions.
Use specific technologies to optimize productivity – Technology can provide companies with a competitive advantage by utilizing specific software tools that will “lean-out” business processes and create efficiency. Software selection is typically based on the business operations, type of clients, location of their clients, and other offices, etc. Some examples include:Teleconferencing; Mobile Platforms and applications; Big Data; and Social Networking.
Retain employees by using technology as the facilitator for flexible working – Get the talent you want by giving them the opportunity to have a flexible work schedule and work environment. Technology allows people to work from home, in another state, or other public locations – not the typical work station. Opportunities like this can be very appealing and a strategy in attracting top talent.
Take advantage of easy access to information but carefully balance how to use it – Technology gives us access to a plethora of public knowledge, especially through the social networks. Use it to find information about the talent you seek, but be careful as to violate one’s privacy.
Does your company encourage personal or professional growth?
If an organization places high importance on skill development and values employee development, then employees will believe it’s important for their own success. That is why businesses should offer corporate training and personal development. Find out of your company had a skill development strategy or plan in place. If they do, how has it helped you advance in your career and grow personally and/professionally?

Categories : Training & Education
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The Pathway to Database Expertise– Becoming an MCSE in Data Platform & Business Intelligence

By Della Wyler
Friday, August 2nd, 2013

“You can have data without information, but you cannot have information without data.” – Daniel Keys Moran. Data is everywhere we look. In this age of the internet, Google, and high tech reporting tools, businesses and people are flooded with an abundance of data. The flooding of data can be overwhelming, and difficult to analyze and take away valuable MCSE-300x300information. Isn’t data collected in order to provide information to assist with making important decisions? That’s kind of the point, right? That is precisely why data savvy people are so important to successful companies now more than ever. Data experts are needed to collect, organize, and analyze the flood of data from limitless resources.

The Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

One way people become experts in their particular line of work is through education and certifications. Studies show that 91% of hiring managers consider certifications as part of their hiring criteria. (Microsoft, Microsoft Certification Program Satisfaction Study, April 2012) With this being said, certification should be high on the To-Do-List to prepare yourself for success, right? Right!

Within the IT world there are several certifying organizations. Globally recognized, Microsoft is one of the largest. Microsoft offers various certification levels that fall under four main umbrellas (below). A Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification allows IT professionals to prove their ability to build innovative solutions across multiple technologies, both on-premises and in the cloud. There are currently eight different MCSE certifications that fall within 2 of the 4 main umbrellas:

Client – MTA Server

  • MCSE Desktop Infrastructure
  • MCSE Server Infrastructure
  • MCSE Private Cloud
  • MCSE Communications
  • MCSE Messaging
  • MCSE SharePoint

Database

  • MCSE Data Platform
  • MCSE Business Intelligence

Developer – MCSD

The focus here is on MCSE. To get up to speed on the other levels of Microsoft certifications read the Certification blog here.

The Database Pathway – SQL Server Expert

The Database Pathway provides IT professionals with invaluable, sought after SQL Server skills. Data Platform courses teach how to demonstrate the broad skills needed to administer and build solutions for enterprise scale organizations. These courses also teach the design of database solutions for Microsoft SQL Server 2012 and the development of Microsoft SQL Server 2012 databases.

The Pathway to earn a Database or SQL Server MCSE begins the same, with an MCSA in SQL Server 2012, and then branches off into two distinctive areas. Depending on their job roles and career goals, IT professionals can choose from two different database pathways:

  • MCSE Data Platform – for database professionals who build enterprise-scale data solutions on-premises or in cloud environments
  • MCSE Business  Intelligence – for database professionals who develop and deploy business intelligence solutions and reports

 

As illustrated above, interested MCSE candidates should obtain the following certifications and training in a specific order:

  • MTA
    • Database Fundamentals (40364) – 3 Day Course
  • MCSA – SQL Server 2012
    • Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (10774) – 5 Day Course
    • Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases (10775) – 5 Day Course
    • Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (10777) –  5 Day Course

Then choose from these two paths:

  • MCSE – Data Platform
    • Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases (10776) – 5 Day Course
    • Designing Database Solutions for Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (20465) – 5 Day Course
  • MCSE – Business Intelligence
    • Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (10778) – 5 Day Course
    • Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (20467) – 5 Day Course

For pricing and to register for these courses visit our MCSE Database Courses page. Be sure to also check out our promotion page to receive a discount and learn how to earn free MCSE training!

TechSherpas ’ headquarters in Tampa, FL is a Prometric testing center. When you are ready to take the exam, visit the Prometric website, locate TechSherpas and select a time and date to come in and sit for your exam. The MCSE exam cost is $150.00.

Why take certified Microsoft training courses before taking the certification exam?

When you take an exam you want to be as prepared as possible. This will ensure that you won’t have to retake the exam, and more importantly, it also gives you the SQL skills that hiring managers and companies are looking for.Sixty-four percent of IT hiring managers rate certifications as having extremely high or high value in validating the skills and expertise of job candidates. (CompTIA, Employer Perceptions of IT Training and Certification, January 2011). Having a certification is one thing, and having experience and skills are a completely different thing. The truth is, hiring managers are looking for both! Getting extensive training, with hands-on labs give you more experience working within databases, in real work-place situations.

What kind of jobs and pay can I expect from this certification?

So you registered for classes, prepared for the MCSE certification exam, and passed! What’s next? What kind of job can you expect from having this credential on your resume? An MCSE certification can put you in a very good position when it comes time to find a job or lock in that promotion. It can also add some cash to your wallet as the MCSE is among the top 15 paying certifications of 2013.

Those with an MCSE certification, specifically in Data Platform or Business Intelligence make excellent candidates for the following positions:

  • Database Analyst
  • Database Designer
  • Database Administrators
  • Network Engineers
  • Database Developers
  • Systems Engineer
  • Business Intelligence Analyst

Getting MCSE certified creates a pathway for success

Becoming a database expert by earning your MCSE Database Platform or MCSE Business Intelligence will certainly open doors for you. Certification, training, and experience are three of the top four most important characteristics when selecting a candidate for a cloud-related position. (IDC/Microsoft, Climate Change: Cloud’s Impact on IT Organizations and Staffing, November 2012). Visit our website and contact us today to get started on your MCSE journey.

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