CDW Backs TCA Agent Certification

By Khali Henderson

The Technology Channel Association (TCA) announced Tuesday that one of its members, CDW, has adopted the Certified Telecommunications Professional (CTP) program as a core training platform for its carrier sales group. The CTP program is the first industry trade association-sponsored certification program designed specifically for indirect sales agents.

Nearly a year in the making, the CTP program was launched Nov. 30. It seeks to build an industry standard around technical concepts and business practices. The exam measures proficiency in various elements of the industry, including voice communications, industry history, Internet applications, telecommunications administration, core telecommunications concepts, data communications, network security/management and agent business best practices.

The CTP program will ultimately help raise the level of professionalism in our industry. We believe that once our sales group has become certified, our customers will trust the CDW team as a confident, knowledgeable resource of information thats extremely valuable to us,” said Shane McNamara, CDWs general manager, carrier services.

The CTP program was developed to energize and empower all involved in the indirect channel,” said Dany Bouchedid, founding president of TCA and CEO of COLOTRAQ. By CDW integrating the program into their sales training, it shows that TCAs program is incredibly valuable to this industry.”

TCA announced in December its first five certified members.

Certification, a stated goal of the TCA when it formed in summer 2008, is hoped to provide agents with credentials and vendors with assurance that they are working with reputable agents.

Exam applicants must be members of TCA. The association is waiving membership dues normally $500  for agents who are interested in joining the group. In addition, TCA has created a set of Prerequisites that CTP candidates must meet based on a combination of industry experience and advanced education.

The exam costs $199, which includes preparation study material and a certification test voucher good for one exam.

Swoyer Technologies Inc. administers the CTP program and exams for TCA.