11-15-2010 10:17 AM
This is a question for partners who have already achieved one or more specializations. What do you recommend to those partners who aren't yet specialized? In your experience, what's the best way to start? Which tools did you find helpful (or not)?
11-15-2010 05:09 PM
Bryan,
There are some 9 specialization types. Depending on your business focus and expertise, you may like to refer to the PartnerNet that spells more details on the types, focus and benefits.
Tools towards specialization, I find the latest version Pathways to Enablement v2.0 to be quite informative as it provides partner a pathway how to achieve these specializations.
This is also posted in the PartnerNet
11-16-2010 09:07 AM
Thanks, Auntyasher! Certainly our partners can find lots of relevant info on PartnerNet. I'm hoping to hear from partners to understand what they've found useful out of all the materials we make available.
04-16-2011 08:28 AM
I would advise them to get the SMB Specialization. I have the SMB specialization and it has many rewards and resources that are beneficial.
04-18-2011 08:05 AM
On more than 1 year experience in this area I have to say that getting STS certified is the main challenge.
To start with the STS certification:
If possible, get access to E-Books, and use PartnerNet free online trainings (they are good) and install Symantec Enablement toolkit.
04-18-2011 09:06 AM
SMB Specialization is a fantastic first start for all partners large and small. At least for North America. I do not know if the same benefits apply to other countries.
STS is imperative for ALL deployment engineers. It doesn't take a year of experience though IMO. However, it does take almost that amount of time to amass the needed knowledge to pass the tests. If however you've been installing and setting up a particular product for a number of years, you may be able to pass already! I know I was able to pass a few on the first try only because I've deployed them many a time already.
After that, look into the support cert, which I think requires at least the SMB tract to be completed. This way as an engineer, they can call into Tier 2 support with their own support ID number, and not the customer's.
05-11-2011 02:50 AM
In my company, we designed a roadmap to develop and reach each specialization (currently, we hold five specializations - Enterprise Security, Endpoint Management, Archive and eDiscovery, SMB and DLP). In fact, STS is the main challenge.
Our roadmap, is very close to the Action Plan suggested here by Volo.
Regards,
Goltrek