HP Starts Training Program to Build Data Centers of the Future

HP certainly is one of the few companies with the knowledge farm to put together such a comprehensive program.

Before an enterprise can build an expensive new-generation data center with a converged infrastructure, the CTO, CIO or IT manager needs to get the right training to see that the job gets done correctly.

Knowing all about this, Hewlett-Packard on Oct. 20 introduced at Interop New York what it claims to be the first converged infrastructure training and certification program to span the entire enterprise landscape-from networking, storage, servers and software to printing and personal computing.

HP certainly is one of the few companies with the knowledge farm to encompass all those IT sectors in order to put together a program like this.

In the HP ExpertONE program, IT pros (you don't have to be a C-level exec) can learn proven methodologies to upgrade old siloed, proprietary environments into scalable, open-standards networks and data centers.

At the same time, trainees can gain the skills and experience needed to architect, implement and manage the new IT across an enterprise.

It's all assumed that companies undertaking this training will be buying and using servers, storage and networking in HP's Converged Infrastructure product line, of course.

"Companies can no longer afford to operate their IT environments in silos-and not just cost impact, but also in performance, which is what we're seeing in this huge trend toward technology convergence in the data center," said David Foote, chief executive officer and chief research officer at Foote Research Group.

"There's been a void in 'converged skills' training programs: Too many certifications programs are still focused on specific servers, storage or networking technologies."

HP's new program is attempting to fill this void by offering comprehensive cross-domain training that spans every part of the converged enterprise data center, from architecture to maintenance, Foote said.

"From a skills acquisition perspective, this is where most IT organizations are heading. And they desperately need help to get there," Foote said.

ExpertONE includes a study of mixed-vendor environments, so companies can deploy the best technologies for their particular needs. As a result, businesses can focus fewer resources on maintenance activities and invest more on innovations that drive growth.

HP ExpertONE Fast Track programs give clients credit for existing certifications built around a single networking vendor. This enables IT professionals to expand their expertise while they speed up their learning cycle to build open networks and data center environments.

HP ExpertONE courses can be taken online, as self-study or in person in more than 150 recognized independent learning centers and academic institutions worldwide.

For reseller partners, ExpertONE enables technical and sales professionals to gain competencies in as little as one day for converged infrastructure.