Certifications

We certainly don't expect you to understand all those letters are after our technicians' names or what they stand for. This page explains which certifications our techs carry and why we feel they are so important to have!

About A+ Certification

Many people in Colorado Springs and Pueblo don't realize the importance of ensuring their computer repair technician is A+ Certified. A+ Certification is a testing program sponsored by CompTIA that certifies the competency of service and repair technicians in the computer industry. Anyone who wants an internationally recognized credential as a competent computer service professional can take the A+ examination. The program is backed by major computer hardware and software vendors, distributors, resellers and publications. Earning A+ certification means that the individual possesses the knowledge, skills, and customer relations skills essential for a successful computer service and repair technician, as defined by experts from companies across the industry. The test covers a broad range of computer hardware and software technologies, but are not related to any vendor-specific products. When both the Core and the DOS/Windows portions are passed, the candidate receives the A+ designation.

Other important items to note about the A+ Certification:

• The 2003 cert comprised of the A+ Core Hardware Exam and the A+ Core Operating System Technologies Exam
• The 2006 cert requires that a candidate successfully pass the A+ Essentials and one elective: IT technician, remote support technician, or depot technician
• The A+ exam is intended for information technology professionals who have the equivalent of 500 hours of hands‐on experience
• The focus of the exam is not theory, but practice; topics of the Core examination include IRQs, direct memory access, and practical computer repair, including the installation and repair of hard drives, modems, network cards, CPUs, power supplies, printers, and so forth

MCP

MCP stands for Microsoft Certified Professional. The Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) credential is for professionals who have the skills to successfully implement a Microsoft product or technology as part of a business solution in an organization. Hands-on experience with a product is necessary to successfully achieve certification.

SBSC

SBSC is a Small Business Server (Community) Specialist. Technicians who achieve this certification can:

• Design a networking solution for a small or medium-sized business, based on a given scenario
• Install or upgrade to Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003
• Configure Windows Small Business Server 2003
• Manage messaging and collaboration in Windows Small Business Server 2003
• Manage and monitor Windows Small Business Server 2003

MCSE

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers are often systems engineers, network engineers, systems analysts, network analysts, or technical consultants. They plan, design, and implement Microsoft Windows server solutions and architectures in medium- to large-sized companies. Our technicians have experience implementing and administering network operating systems and desktop operating systems. In a technology lifecycle, they excel at planning, design, and implementation.

MCSA

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator are often systems administrators, network administrators, information systems administrators, network operations analysts, network technicians, or technical support specialists. They implement, manage, and maintain the typically complex computing environment of medium- to large-sized companies. Technicians with this certification have experience administering client and network operating systems. In a technology lifecycle, they excel at implementation, managing, and maintaining.

CNE

Certified Novell Engineer training gives a technician a wide variety of network support skills that allow them to keep a company's network running efficiently - with less downtime. As a CNE, they solve advanced company-wide support problems and high-level network problems. They perform planning, installation, configuration, troubleshooting and upgrade services for networks. Specifically, the CNE training program is intended to train a system administrator on how to use management tools, perform server installations, manage the eDirectory, printing, allocate storage space, email and instant messaging services, and managing security.

Net+

Network+ measures skill as a network technician: understanding of network hardware, installation, and troubleshooting. Topics include network hardware, connections, software, and different protocols used in local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). Network+ prepares one for continuing to Microsoft certifications and Cisco certifications.