Title: Senior Inside Solution Architect-Storage at CDW in Milwaukee, Minnesota

EMC Certifications:

Cloud Architect, IT as a Service Expert
Cloud Architect, Virtualized Infrastructure Specialist
Technology Architect, Backup Recovery Solutions Specialist
Technology Architect, EMC Storage and Information Infrastructure Specialist
Technology Architect, Isilon Infrastructure Specialist
Technology Architect, Isilon Solutions Specialist

Other Certifications:

Network+
Server+
Netapp ASAP
VTSP

Education: BBA in Marketing, Spanish, and Speech Communications from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

LinkedIn: Zachary Ferdinand

How long have you been working in the industry?

In my current role for 10 years. 12 total years.

Why did you choose to achieve the Cloud Architect certification?

Cloud has become a bigger player in the industry. To be able to consult customers on the pros and cons of the cloud is something that was important to both my client base as well as my organization

How do you believe the certification has transformed your skills?

I think it’s done a great deal to clarify the necessary decisions an organization needs to make before making the jump to the cloud. I cover much of cloud technology (servers, virtualization, storage) in my current role. The Cloud SE helped fill in my knowledge regarding cloud management, networking and security concerns.

Has your certification helped you in your role? How?

It’s made me more valuable to my customers in helping them determine if cloud if the right fit for their organization.

Can you describe some of the positive impacts of your certification?

It helped tie together the goals from different stakeholders within and organization and help tie that together to a technological footprint.

How did you take training?

VILT, though I prefer the PDF’s of the slide presentation with the notes. Much of it covered technological concepts that I’m already familiar with it but I thought it framed the cloud conversation nicely.

What do you think of the Proven Professional Program overall?

I’m a big fan of the EMC certification program. I find it easy to navigate and generally find the material relevant to what I do each day.

What would you say to someone who was thinking about getting certified?

Certifications via the Proven Professional Program will definitely bring you a long way towards becoming an expert on that product line.

If someone asked you what this course was like, what would you tell them?

You’ll get a very deep dive on the technology. At times it can be a bit dense but the ILT instructors are knowledgeable and the VILT material is thorough.

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