James DiIanni Director Oracle Certification Program Oracle Corporation

Oracle Certified Professional Program - Value, Overview, Learning

Agenda  Value and Benefits of the Oracle Certified Professional Credential  Oracle Certification Program Overview  Oracle Certified Master Practicum  Learning and preparation  References  Questions and answers  Next steps

Value and Benefits

Value of the Oracle Certification Credential  Competitive edge, differentiation & credibility = Job Opportunities  Improved Efficiencies – Certified professionals handle more support calls – Companies advocating certification report less downtime – Employer ROI Payback in only nine months because of savings due to increased internal effectiveness ­IDC  Quicker adoption of technology  Improved customer service - Harte Hanks, December 2002

What OCPs Have Said  Three out of four OCPs feel their certification gives them greater confidence.  Three out of five OCPs feel they have a competitive edge over their non-certified counterparts.  70% feel the OCP process has helped them maintain skills.  Two thirds of OCPs working as consultants have benefited through: – New contracts – Client retention – Greater access to new opportunities Harte Hanks, December 2002

Benefits of the Oracle Certification Credential  Use of OCA, OCP, and OCM logos for endorsement of your career by leveraging Oracle’s established brand equity  OTN Support Network, Oracle Press Discounts  Special event access  Ability to join the certification member community with more than 197,000 from around the globe

OCP Program Overview

Oracle Certification Program OCA Oracle Certified Associate OCP Oracle Certified Professional OCM Oracle Certified Master Answers the Demand for more Oracle Professionals Learn Online Test Online Get a Job Online Hiring Manager Approved Industry Benchmark Get Certified, Establish Credibility, Increase Opportunities Achieved by the Top Oracle Professionals

Why Three Certification Tiers?  Provides a tool for IT managers to use in making hiring decisions  More closely aligned with job roles and skill levels  OCA can be used as the first step in a professional career and development path  OCP demonstrates professional commitment  OCM provides a performance based benchmark for hiring experts

Oracle Certification Paths  OCA: – Oracle9 i DBA Certified Associate – Oracle9 i AS Web Administrator Certified Associate – Oracle9 i PL/SQL Developer Certified Associate  OCP: – Oracle8 i DBA Certified Professional – Oracle9 i DBA Certified Professional – Oracle6 i Internet Application Developer Certified Professional – Oracle9 i Forms Developer Certified Professional  OCM: – Oracle9 i Database Administrator Certified Master

Upgrading Your Certification  OCP: Developer – Upgrade from Developer 6/6 i – Oracle9 i Forms Developer Upgrade Exam  OCP: Database Administrator – 7.3 – 9 i : One upgrade exam (For 7.3 and 8.0 DBA OCPs) – 8 i – 9 i : One upgrade exam (For 8 i DBA OCPs)  10 g Certification Plans – OCA Level – OCP Level – Streamlined upgrade paths from 7.3, 8.0, 8 i, and 9 i

Oracle Certified Master Credential

What is the Oracle9 i DBA Certified Master?  Two day, live application performance test  Proctored exam environment  Candidates are scored on their ability to complete complete complex scenarios and resolve technical problems  Strict time frames are enforced for each scenario  Although the OCM is conducted in an Oracle classroom it is a certification exam and not a course  Pass rate is 60% for first time takers

OCM Candidate Prerequisites  Must have Oracle9 i DBA Certified Professional credential  Must have “Attended” at least two instructor- led advanced courses from approved list  Minimum of 3 – 4 years of practical experience as an Oracle DBA  Knowledge of Oracle9 i database technology and features

Oracle9 i DBA Certified Master Content Areas  Database Configuration  Oracle Network Configuration  Oracle Enterprise Manager  Data Management  Database Management  Performance Management  Database Availability  Standby Database and Data Guard

Minimum Required OCM Participant Skills  Working knowledge of Linux: – Formatting and executing basic OS commands – Creating and navigating through directory structures – File management using copy, move, and remove – Linux environment text editors (Line Mode or GUI) – Setting environment variables

Minimum Required OCM Participant Skills  Ability to locate and launch Oracle9 i executables: – Database Creation Assistant – Listener Utility – Oracle Net Manager – Oracle Net Configuration Assistant – OEM – OMS – Oracle Password Utility – RMAN Utility – SQLPLUS

Minimum Required OCM Participant Skills  Proficient with working in a command line environment  Proficient with using Oracle Enterprise Manager  Advanced knowledge and use of Oracle9 i ( ) features and functionality  Familiarity with navigating through non-searchable Oracle documentation  Familiarity with navigating through and the functions of Konqueror browser software  Ability to employ “BEST PRACTICES” when working in an Oracle9 i database environment to solve complex technical problems

Who Does the Best on the OCM?  People who have practiced in an Oracle9 i database environment  People who have completed tasks relevant to each of the objectives within each functional area on the practicum  People who have practiced in a Linux environment  People who have practiced in a Konqueror environment  People who study!!!!!

Tech Tips for OCM Preparation  Use “BEST PRACTICES” for: – Database performance – Database backup, restores, and recovery  Study the areas you are the most familiar with, allowing you to complete the most activities within stated time frames  Familiarize yourself with using Oracle9 i tools in a Linux environment  Practice recovery from different failure scenarios

1. Visit the Oracle Certification Program Website – – Review the Link for First Steps 2. Decide on the track that best fits your career path – Should you not have a path chosen, consult with an Oracle University Representative to get you started 3. Figure out your preparation level with STS practice exams and test content checklists on the OCP website – Find where you have skill gaps and address them before testing Six Steps to Get Started With Oracle Certification

4. Consult with OU for Preparation Assistance and Guidance 5. Take your first exam online! * 9i DBA and Developer Tracks Only) 6. Register for additionally required exams with Prometric at Six Steps to Get Started With Oracle Certification

Learning and Preparation from Oracle University  Certified OU instructors are the best in the industry  Curriculum maps directly to job roles and exams  Emphasis on applying knowledge and skill vs. memorization  Hands-on practice and labs on real software installations provide REAL skill  Various training methods (classroom and online)  Self Test Software practice tests help you Identify skill gaps and areas where you need more prep

Valuable References  Oracle Certification Programs Global Site –  Oracle University Global Site –  Oracle Online Learning –  Oracle Technology Network –

A Q & Q U E S T I O N S A N S W E R S

Next Steps….  Recommended demos/locations – OCP Lounge – Oracle Test Center – DBA Hot Seat  Visit the DEMOgrounds for a review of available online OCP prep content  Visit the Self Test Software booth in the exhibition hall

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