ACA-Avaya certified associate what is it worth?

[aarenot]

I would like to get some feedback about this certification. I have limited experience with the IPO, but do service on them regularly, just have not done installs.

I work for a small business partner with only two system engineers. We are both have PA-IPO implement core, and PA-IPO CCC implement. I also have the ACA- implement IPO credential, PA partner acs implement, PA partner sales. I have had no paid training/study time or courses from my business partner of any kind. I was paid to take the assesment only on the PA implement IPO, and PA IPO CCC. I have done all the study for these on my own time, and 90% before I ever touched an IPO.
The business partner is required to have two IPO sales people to sell the IPO, and two IPO implement product authorization certified people to implement the IPO. With this in mind, and the fact that the business partner spent nothing to train me, what kind of an increase in pay would be reasonable to request?
Previously my job description entailed Partner ACS and merlin duties, but my duties have now migrated over the last year to servicing the IPO without any increase in pay or actual job description changes.
The person whom does install the IPO, and has been paid to attend and provided the IPO implement courses makes 25% more than I do.

Any feed back from anyone would be appreciated. To let you know, I am the kind of guy who says and can handle saying give me the book, and I will go do it, whether I have been trained or not.

 

[intrigrant]

Well, you have the honour to be ACA and your company can better prizing from Avaya ( if you sell enough of cours ).

 

[MrIPO]

ACA is a good certification to have, as covers networking fundamentals and Telephony basics. We run a technical helpdesk, and we require ACA as a pre-rec to joining our team. This course is similar to the N+, and we look at it as a basic introduction course to networking.

However I do feel that the pass rate is a little low being only 60% pass mark.

Dollar wise, it would give you a little more leverage, but don’t count on it to ask big bucks in the market place. I would suggest if you are looking at excelling in the IP Office space of the market you go for ACA, ACS and then the recently released ACE certification.

Hope this helps

Umm anotherprivatebuild !!!

 

[aarenot]

I am always looking to excell in whatever I do and having recently recieved my ACA, I am considering courses to gain more networking knowledge. Thanks for the feed back Intigrant, and MrIPO. Another question is, what would you consider asking for big bucks when the person has added the IPO and the CCC to their abilities, as well as the ACA? 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%? For informational purposes the previous work I did billed at $95/hr, and the IPO bills at $135/hr in my market.

 

[intrigrant]

My advise to you is to get certified in networking like Cisco Certified and/or Microsoft Certified or whatever and not invest too much in telecoms itself.
The reason for this is that there are a lot of telecom guys and a lot of networking guys but there are very few who can do both very well at the same time.
Then thats were you can excell and make some money!.

 

[bwilch]

Perhaps you're asking the wrong people about how much it's worth to your company. In a non-aggressive approach, why not speak to your boss, let him/her know the work you've put into learning the IPO and CCC and the fact that you've obtained your ACA and plan to continue. Then ask them if they feel this adds a value to the company.

Be prepared, however, for the answer you don't want, which could be something along the lines of "it's part of the job", etc.

 

[ftmtek]

I am not certain that having an ACA is worth that much on it's own. More and more people seem to be passing the exam for 2 reasons. Firstly the extremely low pass mark of 58% and secondly the fact there is no IP Office questions on the exam. Having passed the ACA a few months back I couldn't see the relevance of some of the questions to your average IP Office engineer.

 

[aarenot]

Thank you for your responses bwilch and ftmtek. It helps to know how the industry and market values the ACA. I appreciate your feedback. I have 3 kids and two teen agers so I am very acustomed to recieviing answers I do not want. I do not seek knowledge for the benefit of the company I work for, I seek it for myself, so I already have the greatest reward I can get.
The fact that the company made no effort to help me attain any training including the ACA already answers the value of the ACA to the company. I just wondered if the market feels the same way.

Thanks again all

 

[testbench]

ha, ha, ha, ha ,ACA sucks, really does, I managed 96% without any prior reading. If you need to do it it is only so that your boss can line his pockets because avaya require reseller etc to have drones with this qualification and they can get discount, while us techies get a poke in the eye.

ACA = Another Crap Accreditation

If you want a real qual do a Cisco

 

[aarenot]

Thanks testbench, now that is a real opinion, and bluntly honest. Thanks for that.

I am looking into a cisco cert right now as my next step. I was not aware my ACA would get my business partner a discount on products, where can I find details on that? If I can document this. it might give me a position to get more than a poke in the eye.

 

[kholladay]

I don't think the ACA in and of itself allows for a discount (although I can be wrong). But I do believe that Bronze/Silver BP certification requires a number of ACA/ACS on staff to maintain (among other things) and these certifications offer financial benefits. Also, if you are a Bronze or better BP with an ACS in IPO then you can be part of iCare and contact Tier III for support direct without having to go through your distributor.

This may be different for ROW. You know how we Americans are with wanting to making things special and unique to our situation.

Kyle Holladay
Certified: ACACN, ACSCI, ACSCM, TIA-CTP
"If it worked the way it should you wouldn't need me

 

[mattKnight]

testbench Don't sugar coat it, let us know how you really feel!

I 've just done the ACA exam and I found it a doddle (84 questions in under 20 minutes) However the course isn't designed to test IPO knowledge but more to test basic networking and telephony. I suspect that it is a common base to other exams. There are a number of questions that are USA based (DID trunks etc) and so perhaps it could be better localised...

By the look of it the ACS and ACE certs look a bit more involved; a good thing IMHO

Take Care

Matt
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.

 

[dizzyphil]

Biggest benefit for me and my crew:

IT guys are pretty much running the show when it comes to any type of communications at a corporation. They have the opportunity to go to websites and see that AVAYA insists and requires certs for levels of platforms. The IT departments see this and request AC? Techs to perform the work. If your busy like I am, and have 6 techs but only 1 or 2 ACA/S/E techs, they are going to be spread thin. It also helps with (minor) reductions in prices for equipment and Tier help when needed. Its always nice to be on the phone with high level tech support and they ask if your certified and you say yes. They are a little more helpful.

Dizzy

 

[aarenot]

Thanks all for your feedback, it is much appreciated.