Novell Celebrates a Decade (1986-1996) as the Pioneer and
Leader in Innovative Certification Testing
In Delivering the IT Industry's Most Recognized and Valued
Technical Certifications, Novell Stands Alone in Providing 'Direct
Performance Measurement Testing,' Administering More Than
One Million Tests Globally
BRAINSHARE '96, Salt Lake City, Utah -- March 20, 1996 --
Leading the information technology (IT) industry in test development
through innovations such as "direct performance measurement" exams
and the incorporation of simulation in testing, Novell is celebrating 10
years as the pioneer in certification testing. As such, Novell has been
testing longer and has administered more -- and more sophisticated --
tests than any other vendor in the IT industry.
Novell pioneered IT certification in 1986 with the Certified Novell
Instructor (CNI) program. Today, 10 years later, there are more than
4,000 CNIs around the world, and CNI is the global standard for network
training. Novell introduced the CNE in 1990, the Certified Novell
Administrator (CNA) in 1992, and the Master CNE in 1995. Today, there
are more than 82,000 CNEs, and CNE is the global standard for servicing
and supporting smart global networks. Within three-and-a-half years of
its introduction, CNA has become the standard for administering
networks and boasts more than 93,000 "certificants." Master CNEs
number 6,500 and have become the standard for developing solutions
for smart global networks.
The number of Novell certification tests taken is increasing
annually, with Novell having delivered its one millionth global test in 1995.
Novell projects that a CNE, Master CNE, CNA or CNI candidate will
complete the one millionth North American test by May 1996. The
ever-increasing demand for Novell certification has resulted in the
establishment of 1,450 Novell Authorized Education Centers and 150
Novell Education Academic Partners around the globe. A worldwide
network of more than 1,000 Sylvan Prometric testing centers administer
Novell tests.
Following Novell's lead in IT certification are Compaq,
Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Lotus, Microsoft and a variety of other vendors.
Ahead of the Game With 'Direct Performance Measurement'
"Novell Education ensures that Novell-certified individuals
themselves and the organizations they represent are two years ahead
and gaining," said Jerry S. Christensen, Vice President of Marketing for
Novell Education. "We accomplish this by making sure that our
certification tests themselves are two years ahead and gaining."
Christensen noted that Novell remains the only IT vendor to implement
advances such as simulations, adaptive testing and actual software
products in its certification testing.
A simulation of the NetWare Administrator utility, developed
specifically for Novell certification tests, increases the real-world validity
of the tests. Tests are based on comprehensive job task analyses,
authenticating real-world skills, as well as candidate knowledge, to
assure that those certified have the ability to use that knowledge in the
workplace. Tests are continually reviewed by technical experts in the
field, and validity studies are performed to ensure that the tests are of
high quality.
Certified Endorsements
The value of Novell technical certifications is recognized within
the IT industry, with Dataquest, International Data Corporation, and Novell
data showing that businesses use Novell's certifications as a criterion
for hiring, "raising," and promoting employees.
"I wanted to obtain the best certification available in the
networking field and that was Novell's CNE certification," said James
Taylor, network engineer for USConnect, Cincinnati, a Novell Platinum
dealer and international network integration firm.
"We hired a CNE because he had the credentials and we needed
the expertise of a Novell-certified individual," said Bob Dallman,
coordinator of instructional technology for Collier County Public Schools
in Naples, Florida. Third parties installing the schools' networks advised
Dallman that CNE certification was the industry standard for network
professionals. "If we wanted a Novell pro, we needed to hire a CNE,"
Dallman said.
Program History
Novell Education has been testing industry and network
professionals since 1986. Certification programs began with 47 Certified
Novell Instructors (CNIs) being tested and certified to teach the NetWare
curriculum. Since then, customer demand for the programs has
exceeded both the company's and the industry's high expectations in
terms of the certifications driving "Novell literacy" and the global
acceptance of Novell products, while also becoming standard
requirements for networking support positions.
"Novell tests are designed, developed and delivered using the
best and most advanced measurement methods and techniques in the
industry," said Novell's Christensen. "The certification tests are making
advancements and setting standards that everyone else follows."
Novell (NASDAQ:NOVL) is the world's leading network software
provider. Novell software provides the infrastructure for a networked
world, enabling our customers to connect with other people and the
information they need, anytime and anyplace. Novell partners with other
technology and market leaders to help customers make networks a part
of their everyday lives.
Press Contact:
Jennifer J. Johnson
Novell, Inc.
(801) 222-7734 (voice)
(801) 222-7777 (fax)
jjohnson@novell.com (Internet)
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