Familiarizing oneself with ITIL is beyond advisable if you’re one of the many IT professionals currently operating in the field (or soon to be), but attaining certification in it is still the best course of action.  Perhaps you’re sitting there pondering on what makes ITIL certification such an outstanding choice in terms of professional development?

To make a long story short, training and eventual certification in ITIL is fast becoming a rite-of-passage for modern IT professionals.  In the past, ITIL was perceived to be useful and relevant but more of a specialization; today however, employers across the board are more prone to hire employees who have experience (in ITIL).

But experience is only part of the equation, most businesses prefer to hire individuals with certification ahead of those who lacking in this regard.  Certifications are simply quick ways for employers to determine what you’re capable of.  Obviously, certification is most important for those who are entering into a new occupation or position, but it is also an excellent safeguard against an ever-changing career field, like IT work.  This is to say that, with certification under one’s belt, it is extremely unlikely that your position within an IT establishment will come under scrutiny.  In fact, certification is more of a step toward eventual promotion than it is a protection from corporate redundancy.

ITIL intermediate is a special area to seek certification in; this is because it is intimately associated with understanding and managing the IT lifecycle.  Most individuals often assume that the “intermediate” moniker is somehow a downgrade, this is not the case.  Other areas of ITIL training tend to focus on the duties of those who might be studying them; for example, expert training is normally reserved for IT managers.

A great number of people often become introduced to ITIL through ITIL Foundation training, which is exactly what you would expect; a thorough grounding in ITIL foundations.  ITIL Intermediate however is a great place to continue your ITIL education, especially for those who are already employed and are looking to expand their knowledge base.  Because ITIL intermediate is intrinsically tied to the study of the IT lifecycle, it can offer professionals useful solutions which they can use in their everyday duties.   So, not only does certification study assist in securing one’s position within and institution, it also strengthens on-the-job problem solving; what’s not to like?

The ITIL Intermediate e-learning and certification solution

It is highly unlikely that most IT pros have the time to devote to on-site classroom education, which is why digitally delivered e-learning has become such a sensation in recent years.  Through an e-learning program it is possible to gain valuable insight into ITIL Intermediate subject matter but in a personal environment, or anywhere you choose.   Excellent ITIL e-learning programs, like those offered here, incorporate expertly designed curriculums, certification preparation, and are viewable on any number of devices (including PC’s, Mac’s, Tablets, Laptops, & Smartphones).

Why is e-learning preferable over other methods of ITIL education?  There a number of reasons why one should choose an e-learning solution, but three of the biggest have to be:

1. Overall cost & value
2. Quality of material & delivery
3. Preparation for Certification

You see, e-learning programs are often meticulously developed by highly experienced professionals.  These gurus not only know what you should be studying, but also how to present it in such a fashion as to allow for greater retention of said information.  Additionally, an ITIL e-learning program is presented with the exact same enthusiasm to everyone who participates; meaning, you’ll never suffer at the hands of a professor who might be having a bad day / month / year.

Then of course there’s the cost factor; ITIL-based e-learning is much cheaper than most classroom based tuition and is infinitely more convenient.  An e-learning program can easily fit into even the most unforgiving schedule, whereas the same cannot be said for courses requiring physical attendance.    Lastly, there’s the specialized preparation you get for certification from an e-learning program.  The people who prepared your course know exactly what you will face during a certification exam and intentionally design the corresponding course to not only better compliment your learning experience, but also to prepare you for testing.

If you’re ready to start exploring the finer points of ITIL Intermediate and get your certification, click here.

Of the many advanced certification options out there for professionals within the IT sector, PMP and ITIL should be high on your list.  Those who are already in management positions or hope / expect to attain such a rank will undoubtedly benefit the most from PMP certification.  However, while your average IT worker might not immediately see a benefit from a seemingly esoteric area of certification, like Project Management Professional, they can gain a much greater understanding of how to become a better team member through it.

This is to say that once a larger percentage of a workforce or team become aware of the concerns, duties and processes that project leaders and managers face on a regular basis, they will (not only perhaps become more sympathetic, but also) learn how they might be able to better perform their duties as well.  In other words, PMP certification for non-project leaders and managers can be very valuable for fostering department-wide understanding (which is in many ways, fundamental to long-term success).

ITIL certification on the other hand, is becoming an intrinsic facet of modern IT work, and is also something that businesses are becoming increasingly aware of and are demanding from new and current employees.  Why the push for ITIL certification you ask?  Let’s try to think of this from the businesses’ point-of-view.   If you knew a comprehensive collection of proven processes existed which your IT department could use to deliver more stable results, forge new solutions, and generate long-term stability / security, wouldn’t you be interested too?

Additionally, it just makes logical sense that IT workers utilize the best methodologies available to establish, maintain, improve, and secure the infrastructure of their parent organization.

  WHY does business promote ITIL certification?

If you knew a comprehensive collection of proven processes existed which your IT department could use to deliver more stable results, forge new solutions, and generate long-term stability / security, wouldn’t you be interested too?

ITIL the golden ticket to career enhancement?

ITIL certification is not only a perfect companion for business interests however, it is also a “golden ticket” of sorts for IT professionals who want to create some form of upward mobility for themselves and their career.    Many companies are now purchasing multiple ITIL training / certification licenses for their employees as part of a contingency to boost productivity and securities related to their respective IT assets.

PMP certification isn’t particularly centered on IT however; in fact, it isn’t associated with any particular field at all (aside from management that is).   When you combine PMP certification with ITIL training / certification however, you gain not only a more comprehensive understanding of real-world IT Infrastructure dynamics, but also how to use / implement them with a real team of individuals.   It could be argued that only with an advanced knowledge of both ITIL and PMP fundamentals is it possible to truly take advantage of one’s resources; this would include personnel, infrastructure, and methodology.  But simply possessing the knowledge might not be enough to attract, or rather foster confidence in customers; this is of course where specific certifications can help to further emphasize ability and trustworthiness.

ITIL Intermediate and PMP make an excellent team

So, what makes ITIL Intermediate eLearning such a perfect companion for PMP certification?  Many of the available expert-level e-leaning programs for ITIL incorporate some form of advanced training for Infrastructure management (already), so it makes little sense to spend additional funds to study materials and concepts already covered (during PMP certification).  Since ITIL Intermediate principally deals with the study of solutions for specific elements of the IT service lifecycle, it doesn’t interfere with managerial concepts / training.  So, one would essentially study ITIL Intermediate to gain an understanding of the IT lifecycle, ITIL in general, and methodology; while certification in PMP would give the same person the wherewithal to more masterfully utilize the knowledge gained (from ITIL training / certification).

OK, so now that we’ve established why an ITIL Intermediate program and PMP certification make an excellent team, the question is; what are your options as far as ITIL Intermediate training and certification are concerned?  These days, the IT careerists that are “in the know” rely on ITIL e-learning to better themselves.  Why?  Because ITIL e-learning programs are extremely affordable, digitally-delivered, comprehensive, and feature top-notch course design.

The bottom line is that (with a dedicated e-learning program), you not only get more “bang for your buck”, but you also end up retaining much more of the information you study as well.  In addition to a more stream-lined approach to IT education, an ITIL Intermediate e-learning program will also more fully prepare you for eventual certification (most Art of Service e-learning certification programs for ITIL tout a pass rate of well over 80%).  The salary benefits of ITIL training have also been fully explored, with most individuals seeing their pay grades increase substantially over an extended period of time.

Regardless of whether you personally deem ITIL training to be of personal value, chances are, your employers (including future employers) certainly are.  Given this information, ITIL training is fast becoming less of an option and more of an expectation.  As previously stated, ITIL intermediate is an excellent and comprehensive companion for those IT specialists who are seeking PMP certification.  If you have yet to begin formalized study of ITIL, an ITIL Intermediate e-learning program is a great place to start (especially if PMP certification is a future likelihood).

http://store.theartofservice.com/certification–kits/itil/itil–intermediate.html

Experts in any field are not produced quickly.  Creating a league of proficient individuals is a concerted effort on the part of many others.  Gradual progression, in terms of difficulty of learning materials presented, is arguably the best way to set up a system of aggregated learning which is capable of feeding higher levels of accomplishment.

To put things simply; let’s imagine that all ITIL knowledge is representative of a pyramid.  The lower levels closest to the ground would be the foundation (obviously), with the middle sections comprising the various Intermediate options available for study.  Lastly, the pinnacle of the pyramid would be the expert level, which very few will embrace.  However, we must also keep in mind that the largest percentage of the “structure” as it were, in the ITIL pyramid, is owned by the Intermediate cross-section.  So, in other words, ITIL Intermediate is one of the largest and most important facets of ITIL certification itself, and it is also an integral part of the expert level training as well.

ITIL Intermediate is very different from that of ITIL Foundation in that it tends more toward reputed service management and lifecycle solutions.  Foundation training on the other hand, while critical to one’s understanding of ITIL, is more about familiarizing individuals with components and fundamental aspects (of ITIL).  In turn, ITIL Expert and Manager training programs will utilize all previous ITIL levels in order to train people for certification in this area.  Once again however, ITIL Intermediate plays a critical role in preparing students for further understanding and integration of expert level concepts.

If you have already decided to treat yourself and your career to the study of ITIL, you should be aware of the fact that many e-learning programs actually allow you use your training and certification from previously accredited areas.  What this means is that students who successfully complete an ITIL Intermediate program (and/or certification) will be able to apply their qualifications and knowledge to the pursuit of a higher level expert program at a later date.  This is an especially important feature of ITIL learning as it cuts down on redundancies, not to mention absorbing costs of various upper level programs.

But ITIL Intermediate is helping to produce experts in the field in other ways as well.  For example, as more and more professional IT personnel continue to study and implement ITIL across the board, it is quickly becoming an almost standardized feature.  This in turn, creates a drive from interested businesses and employers to seek out more IT employees who are steeped in ITIL training.

Whenever you have a population of people / workers who are essentially garnering incentives for participation in something you create a bigger demand for it, no surprise there.  In ITIL, this can manifest itself in the form of more IT managers and workers seeking out expert training.

The general idea is that the more people you have in one level of training, the higher the likelihood that greater numbers of people will seek out more advanced options.  So, in effect, modern businesses along with the “ITIL pyramid” are in fact helping to push the idea that advanced learning in the field is a great idea (if only because of the increased competition between IT personnel who might be vying for better positions within their respective organizations).

If you’re one of the many IT professionals who are currently considering ITIL training at the intermediate level (or perhaps updating your knowledge base), you should strongly consider e-learning as a solution (in lieu of any other).

Why e-learning for ITIL? 
First off, e-learning programs by their very nature are designed to accommodate the student in a number of ways.  For instance, the manner in which material is presented in a top-notche-learning program for ITIL Intermediate will greatly facilitate retention of data.

Likewise, many of these same Intermediate programs come standard with certification preparation measures which help to ensure that you are very well prepared (first time passes are very common with e-learning programs).  In addition to the educational benefits offered through e-learning, there is also the cost factor(s); the simple truth is that e-learning costs less and gives you “more bang for your buck”, so to speak.

Suffice it to say that you can’t really go wrong with an ITIL Intermediate e-learning program; not only do they prepare you for certification, they also are the most cost-effective solutions for this type of training.  Furthermore, studying ITIL Intermediate is often just the beginning, this is because Intermediate is an excellent stepping stone to expertise.  Interested?  Click here.

Despite their immediate similarities, ITIL and CMMI (capability maturity model integration) do not serve the same purposes.  While the general feeling of most seems to be that you can have either ITIL or CMMI, the truth is that they are in fact highly compatible and reinforce each others strengths in several ways.

So, how are ITIL and CMMI similar?  Both ITIL and CMMI are (capable of) being used to organize, measure and improve both Infrastructure and operational systems.   CMMI of course extends further into software improvement (than ITIL, which isn’t geared toward software at all; however, who knows what the future holds?).  Both ITIL and CMMI are principally centered around process improvement however; with ITIL focusing in on IT-related infrastructures, duties and solutions and CMMI tending toward organizational and software-based improvement(s).  CMMI is unique in that it seeks to bring together and configure normally disparate organizational functions.  ITIL is also known for its ability to merge separate systems and processes, like elements of IT infrastructure with the business demands of its parent organization, for example.

The real question here is how can CMMI and ITIL be used in tandem to benefit an organization?  While ITIL is certainly one of the most comprehensive infrastructure compendiums for IT solutions regarding all stages of infrastructure, it is essentially still a reference, or rather, a library of sorts.  CMMI on the other hand, is a system for organization and improvement by its very nature. What many organizations are now doing is basically “mapping” CMMI to ITIL and using it to distillate the most beneficial methodologies (of ITIL) in a highly controlled manner.   This is of course carried out by means of careful identification of inherent abilities and identifying pathways to proposed goals.  CMMI can, in essence, be applied directly to the IT lifecycle, which makes “fishing out” solutions via ITIL much more efficient.

The principal idea behind CMMI is to facilitate the creation of a more mature process for improving processes (and software, if that is its intended use).  ITIL is not designed to be utilized as a complete solution or roadmap, but rather as a comprehensive reference tool that can used to create solutions as they are encountered.  This does not imply that ITIL is incapable of being used in an organized fashion, but rather that it is inherently devoid of a “how to establish your infrastructure”-type element.  However, a lack of this fundamental element isn’t often required because those tasked with implementation of ITIL are often highly experienced and know quite a bit about IT Infrastructures in general.  But it simply isn’t prudent to rely solely on “by-rote” knowledge (and implementation) of ITIL, especially considering the increasing complexity of modern business processes and systems.  This is of course where an additional layer of control like CMMI is particularly beneficial, as it allows for the creation of an enhanced stratum of control which not only makes for a better overall system, but also more efficient usage of ITIL methodologies.

Why not have ITIL training digitally delivered directly to employees via an e-learning program?

If you are wondering how it might be possible to quickly set up a system which incorporates CMMI + ITIL concepts, while still keeping things on track, consider an ITIL Intermediate training and certification solution.  The great thing about a quality ITIL intermediate e-learning program is that it is a cost effective solution for introducing and training employees in ITIL, yet it is highly accessible, meaning it won’t alienate them.

These e-leaning programs are not only designed by experts in the field to provide a clear path to greater understanding of ITIL in general, but they’re also tailor-made to prepare individuals for certification as well.

Why ITIL Intermediate?

ITIL Intermediate is more comprehensive than (ITIL) foundation and much less involved than an expert level program.  Translation; ITIL Intermediate is perfectly suited for your average IT professional and it is angled toward imbuing individuals with a greater understanding of the IT lifecycle (including specific solutions / methodologies which pertain to particular elements of the IT lifecycle).  An e-learning program for ITIL Intermediate is also much more cost-effective than any on-site counterpart could ever hope to be (physical attendance courses generally run in the thousands of dollars!).  Then of course there is the issue of retention of information; on average, IT pros tend to get more from e-learning courses simply because they allow for much greater flexibility with regards to scheduling.  E-learning for ITIL Intermediate is also delivered digitally and is viewable on virtually every device imaginable (including PC’s, Mac’s, laptops, tablets, and smartphones).  ITIL Intermediate e-learning lets you study how you want, when you want; and at the end of your course, you get customized assistance with certification.

If your organization is considering incorporating CMMI and/or ITIL to its palette of resources then quality ITIL training is definitely in order.  Remember, employees don’t particularly have to understand CMMI or how to implement it, but they definitely need to be familiar with ITIL and how it is to be applied.  Click here for ITIL Intermediate e-learning solutions.

http://store.theartofservice.com/certification–kits/itil/itil–intermediate.html