Because Knowledge Is Power!
August 8th, 2008 by mattForgive the after school special title of this post, but we’ve been extremely focused on training & certifications lately. The skill level of our service pros is crucial to our success. And we know that many VARs and solution providers choose their contract techs based upon key IT certs. So by establishing learning opportunities, we enable our pros to improve their skills and win more work through the OnForce marketplace.
Recently, we announced a partnership with Microsoft to promote new opportunities between our two communities. Among other things, this deal enables our pros to access Microsoft Small Business Specialist certifications. We this this is a growth area in the future, so we’re encouraging our service pros to get trained and certified ahead of the curve.
Then, last week at Breakaway, we announced an ongoing partnership with CompTIA to raise the technical and business skill levels of IT professionals. The initial program enables OnForce pros to get exclusive discounts on training and certification bundles, including CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+ and Server+.
We also announced last week that we’ve selected DirectPointe’s e-learning solution to create and manage our future training programs. This will enable us to quickly roll out world-class training programs, including custom e-learning content to meet the needs of OEMs, solution providers and IT firms.
Much, much more to come in this area.
August 10th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Using the Network + exam voucher as an example:
From the CompTIA website-
CompTIA Member Price : $191.00
Non Member Price : $239.00
OnForce / CompTIA special offer: $215.00
Now the highly touted special offer that OnForce has worked out with CompTIA is no different than the prices at which you can already purchase vouchers from 3rd party resellers any of which can be found by googling “comptia + vouchers.”
I wonder, why OnForce itself couldn’t pony up a little bit of that 10% to pay something like $2500 a year to become a comptia corporate member and allow us the OnForce Service Professionals to gain that discount instead?
August 14th, 2008 at 2:47 am
You’re right that a CompTIA member could get a slightly better price on this cert, but you’d have to outlay much more cash to become a member in the first place — something that is beyond the means of many independent pros. And even then, you wouldn’t get a free assesment voucher, which is included in this deal.
Anyone who’s not a member cannot get a better deal anywhere, according to our sources at CompTIA. If you find conflicting info, please send me a link. Thanks!