A few days ago I wrote about the benefits of certification as a trained HP 3000 professional. I thought that being a "CP," as some of the certified pros call themselves, entitled a 3000 pro to the HP PowerPatch tapes for MPE/iX, and other software.
Not so. You earn those tapes by joining HP's DSPP program for developers. Paul Edwards, the education expert who corrected me on those tapes, said he gets his hand-addressed from HP's Alvinia Nishimoto, "so I'm pretty sure those are custom tapes" that HP's putting out.
But the certification benefits? Edwards says that they are in the eye of beholder, most of the time. A CP can get mugs, shirts and hats from the HP Certified Professional store, things to carry or wear to client visits. Edwards says that since the 3000 certs are going dormant on June 1, he has until the end of May to shop.
Any certification is no better than the person who carries it; that's to say that passing a test and knowing how to solve a support problem are two different things. Incentives for taking the tests and keeping up should be the vendor's mission. Passing these things can be a real challenge.
Finding HP's benefits for remaining certified is something of a challenge, too, once you get beyond the HP CP brand store. HP summarizes them so:
HP Certified Professional Connection portal and knowledgebase
Software download tools, including:
ProLiant Software Maintenance Pack (SmartStart)
Onsite Agent's Reference Set (OARS) Active
Onsite Agent's Reference Set (OARS) Archive
Commercial Software Support
HP Parts Reference Guide (PRG)
Access to exclusive training events and online training
Discounts to training events and certification exams
Free course material download for select certification training courses
Regular "Tech Talk" webcasts providing updates from product engineers and other key personnel on the latest in HP technology, product and solution advancements
Participation in Confidential Disclosure Agreement(CDA) sessions at HP events
Invitations to regional, large industry events such as the HP Technology Forum and Expo, HP PartnerTRAIN, HP Tru64 UNIX Bootcamp and many more
Local "relationship events" and knowledge transfer events with HP field personnel
Certification Program Office information line (toll free in the United States and Canada), including "Cert Alert" outgoing recorded phone messages with program updates
Regular communication from the Certification Program Office, including program updates and alerts via e-mail
Discounted HP Product Purchase Plan (United States and Canada only)
Certification website and certification news items
Access to HP Certified Professional Logo merchandise store
The right to use program logos and branding to enhance your image in your company and with your customers
