Dear Gunther Manufacturing Certification is not just a piece of paper. It may be a piece of paper in Belgium [:D], and here this piece of paper has a big value
quote:
Originally posted by ajayjain
Dear Gunther Manufacturing Certification is not just a piece of paper. It may be a piece of paper in Belgium [:D], and here this piece of paper has a big value
I just wanted to say that the exam does not prove that you have any skills in Manufacturing, … just like all the other exams. In Belgium customers are more intrested in the years of experience, in stead of the exam which anyone who leaves school and studies for 2/3 weeks can obtain. What do you think has most value ? [:D][:D]
Apologies Gunther Perhaps my flippant remark about the value of the NCR exam started this off, although I agree with you completely, and hence my comment about the NCR exam, where I found that it was less important to know how something worked and processed rather than which menu a certain option is on. In manufacturing the exam centred more on processing and knowledge, I suppose one of the reasons I found the exam easier was because of my manufacturing experience (5 years actual, 4 from a software house perspective). I think in the UK experience is highly regarded as well. I suppose in essence I agree completely with you [:D]
As I have been Navision Mfg certified since the first release and am in the process of seeking my CPIM certification, I have followed this discussion with great interest. But I must admit to being ignorant of what NCR stands for (I assume it’s not National Cash Register [;)]). Can you enlighten me? Thanks.
David, the NCR exam is your Navision Certified Representative exam, covering the basics: General Ledger, P & P, S& R, Inventory. It also has sections on the GUI, Form & Report design, and some other basic design aspect, but you only need 33% in these! I viewed it very much as a necessary evil (you can’t get your dev license until you’ve passed), and found the questions to be poorly thought out and phrased. Of all the exams I’ve passed, this one had the lowest pride value by far. I am proud of the knowledge I’ve gained working with Navision for the past two years, but not of this piece of paper. [:)] I think it’s exclusive to the UK and has no direct connection with Manufacturing.
quote:
Originally posted by SBWEAVER
Apologies Gunther Perhaps my flippant remark about the value of the NCR exam started this off, although I agree with you completely, and hence my comment about the NCR exam, where I found that it was less important to know how something worked and processed rather than which menu a certain option is on. In manufacturing the exam centred more on processing and knowledge, I suppose one of the reasons I found the exam easier was because of my manufacturing experience (5 years actual, 4 from a software house perspective). I think in the UK experience is highly regarded as well. I suppose in essence I agree completely with you [:D]
Sorry too, I must admit I was getting a bit … “touchy”.
Hi Gunther I think I believed Navision was an international company and I therefore assumed that the entry levels and standards were international, with the odd bit of localisation. It seems from our discussion on manufacturing and David’s comment regarding the NCR everyone does things differently. We live and learn [;)]
Re my NCR question and the responses: a) Thanks for the info. b) I think that each NTR does do things a little differently, but (usually) within a generally consistent policy structure. I’ve been Navision product and development certified since 1996 but it wasn’t called NCR in the US (therefore I wasn’t familiar with the term). In 1996, I believe it was just called Product Certification in the US, then it was called Enterprise Certification, now it’s called something else. But in each case it was the required first step to the other certifications. c) One of the things that I think has differentiated Navision’s approach to the market in a very positive way has been the certification processes and requirements. I am hopeful that will continue under the Microsoft management.
Hi David Perhaps we are not as internationally dicerse as I thought then! I think Microsoft will keep the certification process simply for the reason you state
quote:
One of the things that I think has differentiated Navision’s approach to the market in a very positive way has been the certification processes and requirements
It also means some form of effort, knowledge, commitment and understanding goes into a Navision Certified Representative. Although from some of the sites and stories I have heard in the UK there are people about harming Navisions reputation with poorly sold, poorly implemented and poorly supported sites. I hope Microsoft not only keep the accreditation process, but they also attempt to rectify the situation where deals are “done” poorly. Having been in the Navision World for a while I am sure you have similar experiences, and just visiting this site you see the odd question asked that really should have been covered elsewhere and you fear for the end user. Obviously I have modified my language here [:D]
Indeed, same thing with Solution Centers in general. More and more are starting, with little knowledge of the vertical market they are trying to tackle. Since this might lead to bad implementations, it is not good for the brand name in general. Certification does a good job in that direction too as you stated.
With so much different in naming/certification standards, most likely a particular certification is applicable to that country/region only. Where does this leave us…“NCSD(Navision Certified Solution Developer(s))”?. We got a certificate under the seal of Navision after clearing NGP(Navison General Product Test) & NCSD Test. Is this the case so with other test, i mean do you get any certificate from Navision A/s(earlier)or the Navision regional office? With new Testing Site(www.vue.com) and MS, I expect there’ll be a standardization in this regard.
As near as I can tell, the various initial certifications are quite similar, essentially making us all learn to product to a reasonable level. Even before Microsoft bought Navision, the corporate direction was worldwide standardization of the certification process in the vertical market areas (such as mfg, distribution, e-commerce). I agree this process is likely to continue - that’s good. Based on Microsoft’s use of MCSD, MCSE, etc. certifications in the past, I am guessing that some sort of strong certification program is likely to continue for Navision. But, based on various rumors I hear, I am also guessing that the requirements for becoming an NSC will be relaxed in terms of employment of a minimum set of certified staff. Microsoft will want to rapidly expand the number of dealers selling Navision and the current NSC certification requirements would impede that process. That may not be ideal for some future end user customers [?], but it will likely be good for those of us who are Navision certified and experienced [^].
From looking at the letters after signatures on this site over the years, it seems to me that the UK is different from elsewhere in the world. In the UK, you do the courses and go to a testing centre to take the NCR test before you can get your own grown-up licence. I think in other countries, exams are done on the last day of each course and therefore cumulatively equate to an NCR. As Steve says, to do manufacturing & advanced distribution (when they were separate products at 2.60) you just had to convince the course tutor (via a phone call) that you knew enough that you would not slow the course down. At the end of the course, a simple exam taken in the training room was all it took to get qualified. I don’t think the manufacturing exam was difficult at all but then I did it under David Grant’s predecessor who wasn’t very knowledgeable about manufacturing anyway so we ran rings around him during the course. he had made up his own test and was fond of trick questions (e.g. Q: what has a bill of lading got to do with manufacturing? A: Nothing at all). Unlike Steve, I think there is a certain kudos in passing the NCR, especially if you do it on the first attempt. It is multiple choice but many of the questions have more than one correct answer so the trick is to spot the one that is “more” correct than the others. Cheers, John
Hi, Is anybody certified in both products Attain Manufacturing and Axapta Manufacturing? Have you seen any noticeable difference? [?]
Hi John Well I will take the kudos as I did pass it first time. Unfortunately I nearly fell into that fatal trap of actually knowing the software. I think if I took it now I would not do any better, and may even fail. The advantage of the NCR has been to get on further courses and learn more about the product, but it is the experience of the product that makes me more confident in front of customers. It is not so much that I do not value the NCR it is just that I think too much emphasis is put on something that does not really say you can sell/implement/support the product, although it is a starting point I suppose. I think I sat the same exam you did, probably “adapted by Dave Grant” although when I was at Navision UK yeseterday they assured me that the exam I sat was the international one, as it is standardised across the globe, so who knows[:D]