MATRIXX PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PARTNER CERTIFICATION MATRIXX Professional Services Professional Certification Version 2.1
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Professional Certification Overview 1 1.1 Motivation 1 1.2 Approach 1 1.2.1 Knowledge Examinations 1 1.2.2 Skill Examinations 2 2 Certification Levels 2 3 Examination Details 3 3.1 Pricing Specialist 3 3.2 Pricing Sage 3 3.3 Operations Specialist 3 3.4 Operations Sage 3 3.5 Configuration and Installation Specialist 3 3.6 Integration Specialist 3 3.7 Solution Architecture Sage 4 4 Examination Rules 4 5 Examination Fees 4 MATRIXX Software Page - i
Professional Certification Overview Motivation Professional Certification is a win-win-win situation. It s a win for individuals - it shows capability, focus and a desire to keep up with the latest technology. It s a win for employing organisations to objectively assess if a candidate has the necessary knowledge to fulfil a role in a project is vitally important to all staffing managers. And it s a win for MATRIXX - to ensure that people understand our technology and can use it successfully. Approach There are two aspects to testing that a person is able to do a particular job knowledge and skill. At a junior level you should have the necessary knowledge to carry out the various tasks assigned and with mentoring from senior members of your team you can be confident of success. At a more senior level, staff should have not only knowledge but also the ability to use that knowledge in varied environments this is known as skill. The MATRIXX Professional Certification Program is structured to test not only knowledge but also skills through both on-line web based testing and hands-on lab based examinations. Knowledge Examinations MATRIXX uses on-line testing to ensure that a candidate has the necessary knowledge to attain the certification level. Examinations are built from a variety of question types Multiple-choice, single selection Multiple-choice, multiple selection True/False Fill in the missing word Statement matching Each knowledge examination comprises 50 questions to be answered in 1 hour. Each examination is broken down into similar sections to those found in the associated training course. Each section is further divided into 3 with easy, moderate and difficult questions in equal proportion. The questions presented in any exam are randomly and dynamically drawn from a substantial question bank, evenly spread over each section and division. This approach guarantees fair and balanced examinations for all candidates. Results are given immediately on completion of the exam. Examinations of this type can be taken at any time in any venue providing there is an authorized MATRIXX invigilator present, a computer/laptop with a reasonably current browser and a high-speed Internet connection. MATRIXX Software Page - 1
Skill Examinations In a skill examination, the candidate is presented with a MATRIXX environment and a number of tasks to complete. Each task will examine the candidate s ability to resolve problems set up within the environment or create solutions to requirements provided by the examination. The candidate s solutions will be assessed by a panel of MATRIXX Senior Consultants and Architects. The result of the examination will be published within 2 weeks of completion. Venues for this type of examination match those described in para 1.2.1 above Certification Levels Individual Certification is granted at two levels, though for some streams only a single award is available. The two levels are Specialist and Sage ; the examination points are shown in the diagram below. (The term Sage is often associated with people of learning, ability and wisdom.) MATRIXX Software Page - 2
Examination Details Pricing Specialist The Pricing Specialist examination is knowledge based. The 6 sections in the examination are Pricing Sage This examination is skill based and requires a candidate to complete a series of Price Plans. Typical questions in this examination will ask candidates to create two moderately complex Price Plan from a general requirements specification, one of which will require extensions to be added to the operating system files used by Catalog Builder. The examination lasts 3 hours Operations Specialist To achieve the status of Operations Specialist, candidates must pass a 1-hour knowledge based exam. The sections found in this examination are Operations Sage This is a 1-hour skill based examination where candidates are required to carry out tasks regularly conducted in real implementations. Also included in the exam are error scenarios where candidates must resolve operational issues. Configuration and Installation Specialist Knowledge based, 1 hour, 50 questions The sections found in this examination are Integration Specialist Knowledge based, 1 hour, 50 questions The sections found in this examination are MATRIXX Software Page - 3
Solution Architecture Sage This skill-based examination asks the candidate to define a solution to a specific requirement defined in a short document. Solutions may be developed using any freely available design tools but written explanations are design decisions background must be provided. The examination lasts 2 hours and candidate s submissions will be assessed by a panel of MATRIXX Architects. the decision of the panel is final and no appeal is possible Examination Rules All knowledge-based examinations are Closed Book. No printed or electronic materials may be used in the examination. All Skill examinations are Open Book. This means that candidates may use any form of published reference material including MATRIXX supplied documentation, guides and on-line help. Candidates may not confer with anyone either inside or outside the examination venue. Attendance on the associated MATRIXX training course is not required in order to take an exam. On passing an examination MATRIXX will add the candidates name to a list of Certified Professionals and forward a printed certificate by land mail Any candidate found to not obey the rules of the examination will not be granted the certification award irrespective of the outcome of their exam. If a candidate fails an exam, a re-sit may be taken within 3 months free of charge. Re-sits may not be taken within 2 weeks of a failure. Examination Fees All Knowledge based examinations attract a fee of USD 150. Skill based exams cost USD 500. It is the candidate s responsibility for travel and accommodation costs at the examination site; the fee is purely for the cost of running and administering the examination MATRIXX Software Page - 4