Vendor-Neutral Storage Training Comes to the Midwest

Storage systems have evolved into complex IT structures that require increasing numbers of skilled and experienced technical specialists. To meet this growing demand, Data Center Enhancements Inc. has developed a series of comprehensive storage training classes for release in major metropolitan areas throughout the Midwest. These vendor-neutral courses focus on providing a comprehensive examination of data storage technologies, and a certification program to validate student knowledge. They provide attendees with a solid understanding of the technology's capabilities, and an ability to make sound decisions about the suitability of commercial storage products for their specific business environments.

Saint Charles, IL (PRWEB) July 27, 2009 -- Technical consulting firm Data Center Enhancements Inc. announces the formation of a new training services group. This new group will focus on delivery of instructor-led storage training classes. We will focus on presenting an in-depth examination of storage technology concepts to ensure maximum depth and breadth of understanding. Each course will be designed to assist students with the preparation for one or more comprehensive storage certification examinations.

The massive quantity of data under SAN/NAS management continues to grow each year. As a result, there is an ever widening gap between business data storage demands, and the number of trained and experienced personnel available to manage storage demands. Complicating the problem is the lack of a reliable mechanism for evaluating an individual's knowledge and skills.

To alleviate this growing problem, Data Center Enhancements Inc. has developed a series of vendor-neutral training classes to help students build a solid understanding of storage concepts and successfully develop a strong foundation in SAN and NAS technologies. This differs significantly from manufacturer-provided classes, which may focus as much as 80% or more on unique product features and capabilities. In contrast, our courses examine storage technology concepts, providing students with a level of understanding that will allow them determine which products offer the best overall solutions for their specific business environments.

Classes planned for release over the next 4-6 months include:
Storage Networking Systems - Fundamental Concepts
Storage Administration Tasks and Procedures
Storage Architecture Methodology and Design Concepts
Troubleshooting Storage NetworksInaugural classes will be held in Chicago in September, 2009, with additional training classes following shortly thereafter in (12) major metropolitan areas throughout the Midwest.

Several innovative concepts set these courses apart from other storage training offerings. Unlike vendor training that emphasizes product features and proprietary attributes, the Data Center Enhancements Inc. classes present material from a vendor-neutral point-of-view, using classroom time to focus on industry-wide storage issues and technologies. This provides students with the broadest possible understanding of storage concepts and approaches, not just one vendor's method for addressing a requirement.

In addition, we plan to bring storage courses to the students, and not visa-versa. According to the company's President, Randy Cochran, "Sending employees in remote classes can be a costly activity. By taking our courses on-the-road to major Midwest metropolitan areas, we eliminate much of the student's travel and remote living expenses during the course. The overall savings can be substantial".

Data Center Enhancements Inc. chose to enter the storage training market for a number of compelling reasons. While demand for knowledgeable and technically competent Storage Specialists continues to outstrip supply, much of the current training offerings maintain a product-centric focus. Of the few vendor-neutral storage courses offered, many are available only at permanent facilities located on the East or West coast, leaving the vast and dynamic Midwest storage training market virtually untapped.

In addition to our training courses, Data Center Enhancements Inc. plans to develop a rigorous, uniform, source-traceable Certification Program for our storage courses. These knowledge validation programs will be independently reviewed to be as fair and accurate as possible. In addition, they will be structured to reflect the rapidly evolving needs of the storage industry.Prior to the development of storage certification testing, there was no effective way to assess and validate a employee's technical skill level. Further, the knowledge level of internal storage personnel was in many cases inconsistent and incomplete. We plan to "set the bar" for knowledge standardization by establishing uniform testing and certification of storage personnel.

For more information regarding Data Center Enhancements Inc. and its new instructor-led storage training classes, please visit the company's training site or contact Randy Cochran at (630) 513-9747.

Data Center Enhancements Inc. was founded in 2003 as a professional IT technical consulting services company. Our expertise is focused in the areas of SAN/NAS storage subsystems, complex server design, and infrastructure architecture. We deliver the same level of professional skills found within the "big 4" consulting firms, but without the cost, complexity, and layers of management overhead associated with large organizations. Additional information about Data Center Enhancements Inc. and its products and services can be found on our corporate Web site.