Program Overview

Agenda  What is CTP?  The program  The exam  Industry built, recognized and accepted  Why Is CTP Becoming So Important?  In the marketplace  To organizations  To individuals  Training Options

Why Certification? The demand for unified communications solutions that are feature- rich and cost-effective continues to grow at a rapid pace. Selling, installing and maintaining these solutions requires a well-trained workforce that understands how the technologies integrate and how to best meet customers' needs. The CTP (Convergence Technologies Professional) training and certification program provides this vital knowledge foundation.

Convergence Technologies Convergence is the merging of three networks - data, voice and video – into a single network. Companies need complete solutions. There is a shortage of personnel qualified to sell and support convergence products. Telephone Equipment Network Services

What is Certification?  Convergence Technologies Professional (CTP) is the official convergence certification program of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA).  The CTP (Convergence Technologies Professional) certification is the only proven program designed to validate standards-based knowledge in today's convergence technologies.  The demand for unified communications solutions that are feature- rich and cost-effective continues to grow at a rapid pace. Selling, installing and maintaining these solutions requires a well-trained workforce that understands how the technologies integrate and how to best meet customers' needs. The CTP (Convergence Technologies Professional) training and certification program provides this vital knowledge foundation.

CTP Competencies  CTP certified individuals have core knowledge and skills in the following data networking, telephony networking and convergence technology areas:  Data and Internet Protocol (IP) Networking for Convergent Networks  Relate networking models and standards to convergence networking practices.  Identify appropriate local area network/wide area network (LAN/WAN) infrastructures.  Plan an Internet Protocol (IP) network.  Describe wireless networks.  Troubleshoot convergent networks.  Describe elements and benefits of a virtual LAN (VLAN).  Define Quality of Service (QoS).  Voice and Telephony Services, Functions and Technologies  Describe codecs and Pulse Code Modulation (PCM).  Define Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) elements and concepts.  Identify common voice services and feature sets.  Identify and troubleshoot problems with voice calls in digital and analog environments.

CTP Competencies contd.  Convergence Technologies  Identify essential elements of a convergent network.  Identify requirements for transporting text, voice, video, modem and fax through a converged solution.  Identify methods for providing video services through a converged solution.  Explain how protocols such as RTP, RTCP, SIP, H.323 and Megaco are used to carry and control convergent network traffic.  Identify common convergence devices.  Troubleshoot common convergence technology.  Identify security issues for converged networks.

The CTP Exam

Industry Recognized  The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) created the CTP certification to satisfy the needs of its members and the industry.  The largest telecommunications trade association (1,100+ members) representing equipment manufacturers, channel partners and their customers  Focuses on standards development and education through credentialing programs  World-wide standards organization  Member of the ANSI board of directors  Partners with IEEE on standards creation such as  Credentialing programs include the Certified in Convergent Networking Technologies (CCNT) program and CTP

Industry Built  CTP Certification Advisory Council defines the exam objectives.  The Advisory Council’s member companies provided industry experts to develop the exam items and review the supportive training materials.  The Advisory Council’s members consist of manufacturers and channel/dealers:

Industry Endorsed  Accepts CTP as an equivalent to the CommNet exam, which is a requirement for the ACA credential  Requires CTP for Mitel's 3300 ICP and SX-2000 to SX Bridging courses  Requires CTP for Inter-Tel Advanced Technical training  Recommends CTP for all Iwatsu authorized resellers  Endorses CTP as a “stepping stone” to Cisco IP Telephony certification

Industry Endorsed (continued)  Recommends CTP as preparation for Nortel Networks’ VoIP Technology certification exam  CTP is accepted by Toshiba as fulfilling the convergent technology prerequisite for certification on IP products  CTP is recognized by NEC America Inc. as an integral part of prerequisite training for all individuals involved in Voice over IP deployment as well as the computer telephony interfaces of NEC state-of-the-art telecommunication systems  Vertical accepts CTP as meeting one of its requirements for becoming a CONVERSip™ Solution

Industry Accepted  Alcatel Lucent has determined that CTP training is an effective way to ensure that its internal technicians understand convergence  IBM Global Services has sent its technicians through CTP training and certification to ensure that they know industry standards and best practices  Eschelon Telecommunications is a regional integrator, just one example of dozens who have adopted CTP  CTP courses are approved for BICSI continuing education credits

Industry Accepted (continued)  Current Technologies uses CTP as a prerequisite for its IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) training for Lucent.  The Sage Group provides CTP training as part of its workforce preparation initiative. Unions, for example, have requested CTP training as the convergence standard  CableNet Training requires CTP training before its customers move on to Cisco and Inter-tel training

Multiple Sector Acceptance  CTP is not only for manufacturers and resellers  Service providers  DSL  Cable  Wireless  Satellite  Integrators  Used for  Internal training  External training

IT Certification Market CTP was created in response to the convergence market needs: – IT certifications must evolve with technologies. – IT market is demanding job-role-specific certifications. – IT market is experiencing consolidation and thus a need for cross-technology training. Early Adopters/ Pioneers Mass Market/ Followers End of Life Time Number of Students CTP

CTP Addresses the Market’s Need  CTP validates the required knowledge and skills needed in relation to the new technology of convergence.  Equipment manufacturers need to measure the competency base of their technicians and dealers entering new product training.  Technicians and dealers are required to have a base level of understanding in data, voice and convergence technologies.  Unlike other vendor-neutral training, CTP combines the latest convergence technologies knowledge with focused hands-on field technician requirements.  Channel companies (dealers) needed a common entry point to multiple vendor certifications.  CTP was designed to save time and resources.

CTP Importance to the Channel  CTP certification helps build a more efficient convergence workforce, improve customer satisfaction and enhance competitive position.  Establish a baseline mastery of skills.  Prepare for product-specific training.  Maximize workforce productivity.  Decrease labor costs and increase profitability.  Improve scheduling efficiencies.  Achieve higher levels of customer satisfaction.

How CTP Helps ICT Professionals CTP certification can benefit technicians or support professionals working in convergence technologies in a variety of ways.  Validate knowledge as an expert in convergence technologies  Career advancement  Remain competitive and relevant in an industry of continual change

Job Roles and CTP  Common job roles in convergence include:  Technical Sales, Technical Representatives  Enterprise IT professionals  Implementation and Application Sales Professionals  Convergence Sales/Post Sales Engineer  Customer Service Engineer  Systems Integration  Project Manager  Implementation Services Manager  Systems Integrator  Applications Sales Executive  Network/VoIP Engineer  VoIP Architect  VoIP Technician  VoIP test Engineer  Systems Administrator – Voice/VoIP  Business Analyst – VoIP

Training Offerings  CTP training materials are available in a variety of formats:  Web-Based pre-assessment  To determine if students are ready for CTP training  Instructor-Led curriculum (books)  Web-Based Assessment and test preparation  Exam study guides  Training can occur through:  Your company  Existing channel partners  Open enrollment classes

CTP Training – Instructor Led  Official CTP Classroom training consists of 5 days:  Data Networking – 2 days  Telephony Networking – 1 day  Convergence Technologies – 2 days  Hands-on training  Actual hands-on training activities utilize various industry tools.  These activities teach and reinforce on-the-job skills and prepare students for manufacturers’ product-specific certifications.  Authorized CTP Training Partners  Select commercial learning centers, academic institutions and corporate training departments  Locate an authorized training partner at

CTP Training – Online Assessments  CTP Online Practice Exams  This online assessment tool allows a learner to measure his or her proficiency on the content covered in the CTP exam:  Pre-assess certification aptitude  Prepare for the high-stakes exam environment,  Identify skills gaps and additional study needs.  CTP Online Assessment for the Classroom  Provides instructors with a powerful tool to measure learner proficiency on specific topics or the full range of CTP skills objectives.  CTP Online Assessment for the Classroom can be used as a pre- assessment tool to help instructors evaluate their students’ aptitudes and tailor coursework to their needs.

Questions & Answers