A huge part of CompTIA’s business is channel partner training and certification, and an increasingly large part of this training and certification now includes managed service providers (MSP).
At its recent ChannelCon 2013 event, the non-profit CompTIA outlined a rash of new training programs, and the one that MSP Today is most interested in of course concerns managed services.
Much of this MSP training comes in the form of a new program set to debut this fall – Developing an Effective Sales Structure for Managed Services.
The program looks at re-training, compensation for sales, and sales restructuring.
The organization also hopes to help partners better interact with their vendors, and will do so with the CompTIA Executive Certificate in Maximizing Vendor Relationships.
“The IT channel is a maze of overlapping and sometimes conflicting processes and go-to-market strategies,” noted Kelly Ricker, senior vice president of events and education for CompTIA. “Solution providers who complete our Executive Certificate program will arm themselves with a complete understanding of the vendor-channel structure and will be better positioned for successful vendor relationships.”
Other new programs include:
- The Human Side of IT Security
- Developing an Effective Sales Structure for Managed Services
- Moving Mobility beyond Devices to Transform Business
- Putting it in Writing and Other Partnering Trends between Telecom and IT
- Rising above the Fray-Strategies for Minimizing Channel Conflict
Channeling the Guides
One approach CompTIA takes to training is its channel training guides. For MSPs it has some free guides, the Quick Start Guide to Managed Services and the Quick Start Guide to CompTIA MSP Partners Trustmark.
For members it has two 10-week guides to launching an MSP business and implementing social strategies.
There are also actual courses which are offered for in-person learning.
Appia Earns CompTIA Respect
Earlier this week, MSP Today reported that MSP Appia Communications just earned the Industry Credential for Managed Services Providers, which comes in the form of the CompTIA MSP Partners Trustmark.
The certification means that Appia uses best practices to interact with clients and deliver its network and communications services.
“This credential identifies Appia as a managed service provider that’s demonstrated a high level of competency through their use of prescribed industry best practices and processes,” said Todd Thibodeaux, president and chief executive officer, CompTIA.
CompTIA looks at a number of MSP factors, including operating procedures, company structure, technology, as well as how the MSP handles its specific markets.
Furthermore, Trustmark recipients must sign a code of conduct and promise to operate ethically.
Edited by
Alisen Downey
