EXIN, the global independent certification institute for ICT professionals, has signed an agreement with HP to develop a certification program for OpenStack, the open source cloud operating system that is already used by many organizations worldwide, with support from HP.  HP will be first to offer the opportunity to gain certification through the training course, which will be based upon the established HP OpenStack course.
 
Empowering users
With the continuous growth of cloud computing, organizations are realizing that cloud computing is not merely a technological change. Cloud computing has an impact on all layers of an organization, especially the ICT professionals. This leads to new questions about the changing role and position of ICT departments and professionals. That is the reason why EXIN has developed a number of certifications in the area of Cloud Computing.
 
OpenStack is an open source cloud operating system that controls large pools of compute, storage and networking resources throughout a datacenter, all managed through a dashboard that gives administrators control while empowering users to provision resources through a web interface.
 
Best of both worlds
Under this agreement, EXIN will develop and deliver the OpenStack software certification and associated exams, while HP will supply course materials and subject matter experts to aid in exam and course development, and deliver courses that support the exams.
 
For customers already working with OpenStack, and those who have the intention to do so, the new OpenStack software certification will ensure companies and organizations that their ICT professionals will have the best of both worlds: the knowledge of HP on OpenStack, combined with the experience of EXIN as global independent certification institute.
 
The program that is currently being developed is the first certification program for OpenStack to be offered by an independent Exam Institute. The program will complement and strengthen EXIN's overall Cloud examination offering.
 
Because HP is already delivering OpenStack training, the certification can be launched in a short time, with the first exams expected at the beginning of 2015. EXIN accreditation for this program will also be open to other training providers, which can choose to develop their own materials or license them from an Accredited Courseware Provider such as HP.
 
In the coming weeks, EXIN and HP will start with the development of the EXIN Foundation certificate in OpenStack software as well as the development of a roadmap, including higher level qualifications and translations into multiple languages.