I do not actually support BB's as a job only what I do on the job as a sales rep at ATT. I am considering taking the BlackBerry support speacialist cert for BIS. More as to give myself something to do than anything. Just wondering if anyone here has taken the test and if they would mind providing some insight on it.

Yes I have read RIM's documentation

I'm in the same boat as EZ-would love some feedback...

... will taking it give you a raise / further your career ... or are you looking to do something for the sake of doing it?

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Potential for a raise (no guarantee)

Mostly for the sake of doing it and perhaps using it as a step to a new career

Career-wise, I don't think it'll help much. You're better focused on on the other exams.

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I agree with hdawg. I got a pat on the back for the two advanced exams I took and passed.

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I think of it being like the A+ exam:

Didn't do much as far as employment but it was a definite plus

Basically If I commit myself to this I will force myself to become more technically knowledgable.

My exposure to BES is non-existent thus the interest in this one as a starting point

You will have to know a fair amount about the BES on the handheld cert. There are a lot of questions about the different menus in the BES management console - at least there were on the beta exam.

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Additionally, you need to be familiar with the Desktop Manger functions and the BlackBerry Technical Solution Center.

For me, I am already in an IT environment, supporting an unrelated db. My thought was that Certification would improve my chances of moving into BES position, and merge my career with one of my passions.

I know in the area I'm in, certs don't matter for the most part. Companies want 4 year college degree's first. I'm lucky that I have no college and only 1 cert back from 1998 that's not even valid anymore.

I'm going to take some of the BES certs when I get the actual time to review for them and then the hardest part is getting the time off to go take them.

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audit

I have a BA, but it's in Organizational and Mass Communication. Kind of a reach...

Dear EZ,
I think each and everyone of us who has taken the test, has had a reason. if you think you want to take it and you think it will be usefull even if it wont help with your career much, I would still encourage you to take it....
there is nothing to lose anyway..

Except for the $150 per exam cost ...

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There are discount codes that will save you 50%.

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If you are in sales then if you want to be certified then I think you should be more concerned in just the Certified Support Specialist. Certifications are always a plus to have on you resume and if you really like BB then you can become BB support a lot easier if you are certified. Honestly I don't find it to be a great necessity to have as a sales rep. I think it may be helpful just to read up on common issues people have in Blackberry forums like this.

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Shante' D. Stallings
Visit my blog at Cell Phone Techs Blog for news on new phones, phone tricks, and cellular accessories!

Basically, certification is only needed if you are applying for a job as a BES admin, or required by your employer for promotion/etc.

I teach CompSci @ Trios College (triOS College - Home), where we teach 3 BlackBerry courses to certification (BCSS, BCSA, BCSSS) - these courses are geared only towards email server administration/troubleshooting since most Exchange server admins are also BES admins.

The main reason we offer these courses is to give our students a competitive edge on the job market - they look better to potential employers when they are BlackBerry certified in addition to being Exchange certified.

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Jason W. Eckert

Are there any study guides I can get access to? I would really like to become certified quickly...

I'm a BES administrator in my company but I've never been trained on the work I do...I just want to get the upper hand in terms of certification...

Can anyone direct me to any study guides/tutorials/brain dumps that can further assist me?

RIM has training classes that will help with the exams. I guess you could contact them and ask if you could just pay for the materials (based on your location T&T)

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Hi Guys, I have just completed the BCP-211 & BCP-213 which count toward the BCSSS does anyone know how long it usually takes to get any confirmation? I have spoken with Prometrics and they dont seem to know....

Many Thanks!

For me it took something between four or six months before BCSSS was confirmed by receiving the BCSSS from Canada. I am located in Europe, so this may have added some time before I received the certificate by mail.

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The last time I contacted them, only the book for BCP-410 was ready and the others were still work in progress.

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They certain don't rush about! Thanks Abe!

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DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING LOCATED IN THE MARYLAND AREA OR dc METRO AREA?

Anyone heard of BCX-620 beta certifications yet?

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Oh? Where could one obtain these such codes?