Novell Education Initiates Continuing Certification Requirement For ECNES

Requirement Builds Migration Path to Master CNE Program

June 6, 1995--Edge #95--Novell Education today announced a continuing certification requirement for Enterprise CNEs (ECNEs) that is designed to recognize their technical competence and encourage them to migrate into the new Master CNE program, which Novell Education has positioned as the emerging standard for developing solutions in the networking and network applications environment.

The new continuing ECNE certification requirement consists of a single test, The Fundamentals of Internetwork and Management Design exam. To assist ECNEs in fulfilling this requirement, Novell will send each ECNE two complementary coupons--one to take the Fundamentals test and one to receive the corresponding student kit. (Student kits include study materials student customers need to prepare for exams, and are available at local Novell Authorized Education Centers.) The student kit coupon is redeemable at local Novell Authorized Education Centers. The test coupon is redeemable at any Drake or Sylvan testing center. ECNEs who have already taken the Fundamentals of Internetwork and Management Design course can use the coupons for any other student kit and test offered in the Master CNE electives. ECNEs have until January 15, 1996 to complete this continuing certification requirement.

"ECNEs represent some of Novell's most loyal and qualified partners," said Carolyn G. Rose, Vice President and General Manager of Novell Education. "They have demonstrated their dedication by successfully completing requirements above and beyond the CNE program. This continuing certification requirement is designed to recognize that technical level and help ECNEs migrate into the Master CNE program."

ECNEs that complete the continuing certification requirement can immediately migrate into the Master CNE program, and will be recognized as Master CNEs with the Infrastructure and Advanced Access specialty. Announced in April, the Master CNE program is a powerful, solutions-based certification that requires a CNE to demonstrate additional knowledge in task-oriented areas of specialty. These solutions-based specialties include Network Management, Infrastructure and Advanced Access, and GroupWare Integration. The Master CNE represents Novell's vision for the future of high-level certification programs.

"There have been numerous changes in the industry lately, and I welcome the opportunity to update my knowledge," said Ron Nutter of Intrasource in Lexington, Kentucky. "I take a lot of pride in my certification and the work I do. Maintaining the highest level of certification sets me apart from the competition when dealing with major accounts and vendors." Nutter was one of the first one hundred ECNEs in the United States.

Research published by Dataquest after the announcement of the Master CNE program in April (Dataquest Alert: Novell Enhances, Specializes CNE Certification; Announces New Master CNE Program, April 19, 1995) verifies the importance of Novell's technical certifications. "With this new CNE program evolution, the CNE and Master CNE will provide even more value," stated analyst Arnie Tomaino in the report.

NOVELL EDUCATION PERSPECTIVE

Novell Education's mission is to drive global pervasive computing through quality education programs and products. Since 1987, Novell has pioneered a leveraged model for providing training. Today, Novell training partners around the globe provide instructor-led training and other self-study options to student customers. Novell Authorized Education Centers in North America also offer distance learning via satellite. In 1995, Novell's 1,300 Novell training partners will teach three quarters of a million student customers.

In addition to innovating the leveraged education model, Novell Education has also pioneered certification in the information technology area with its industry-leading programs. CNEs are the global standard for servicing and supporting networking and network applications; CNAs are the global standard for administering networking and network applications; and CNIs are the global standard for teaching networking and network applications. Currently, there are more than 60,000-plus CNEs, as well as 90,000 CNEs "in progress." There are 4,700-plus ECNEs, more than 50,000 CNAs and more than 3,000 CNIs.