There's Change Afoot

OK, so maybe this isn't such a stunning revelation, but here's a finding that may give you pause: Among small solution providers, the No. 2 most important designation isn't a Cisco specialty, as in years past,it's Symantec's SCSP title.

In fact, what's fascinating about the first phase of CRN's 2003 Certification Study is that the lists of the top 15 most important and fastest-rising certifications among both small and large solution providers include plenty of titles that didn't show up among the top ten on last year's ranking. (For the pretest, CRN surveyed 100 large and 100 small solution providers. Those with more than $5 million in annual revenue were considered large; those with less than that were considered small.)

Vendors newly represented among small solution providers include Symantec and Citrix Systems. Large solution providers also added Symantec to their lists. Things get even more interesting when you look at which types of certifications solution providers believe are growing in importance. Software dominates, with database skills, telephony knowledge and application server expertise represented most heavily.

I'm not going to reveal all of the results, since they will be the foundation of a special report planned for August after the second phase of our certification research is complete. If you'd like to add your perspective to our ongoing study, you must hold at least one technical certification and work for a bona fide solution provider. To be considered, please provide your name, company name and location, and phone number at crn.com/certification.

While I'm at it, I'll make a plug for a couple of other lists CRN has begun actively developing for our fall special report season. They include our annual Rising Stars ranking, featuring solution providers that have continued to grow top-line revenue in a tough economy over the past three years; 25 Innovators, which will highlight technical wizards at vendors creating innovative products for the channel; and Channel Chiefs, which will list channel program executives making a difference through innovative new programs and their support of partners. If you want to nominate yourself or someone else for any of these, feel free to speak up.

HEATHER CLANCY, Editor at CRN, always appreciates reader feedback via e-mail at [email protected].