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Got milked? It seems the national information technology labor shortage has produced a flood of high-tech wannabes more interested in making a buck than making your business
work. If the freelance geek you hired spent more time building his retirement account than your local-area network, you may want to check credentials next
time.
When it comes to many aspects of computer technology, credentials are easy enough to check. Microsoft, Novell, Cisco Systems, and other top vendors offer rigorous
certification courses on their technologies (table). The courses are typically administered by independent testing companies, such as Prometric in
Baltimore, a computer-based testing outfit owned by media group Thomson. Also, industry associations -- most notably the Computing Technology Industry Assn.
(CompTIA) in Washington, D.C. -- offer certification courses as well. Remember, though, that each offers numerous certifications, and no one course provides
complete expertise. Better techies have several certifications on their resume.
ASSEMBLING A TEAM. That said, it's not as easy to screen candidates for Web-based work. Microsoft and others do offer certification courses but not for many
of the Web-related technologies you'll want your Web builder to know. In fact, if you're building a complex site, chances are your Web workers won't know it
all. Just as homebuilders often need specialized contractors to complete cabinetry or masonry, most Web builders need a well-rounded team.
Patrick Carberry, founder and chief executive officer of 4realmen.com, knows. He set out to build a "destination site for regular guys" from his office in
Westborough, Mass. At first he tried a husband-and-wife team, "but they couldn't even devote themselves part-time" to the project.
Despite being a self-proclaimed "real man," Carberry knew nothing about HTML, CGI, Perl, or other Web-related technologies. So he turned to a local design company run by a
22-year-old Web head who had built five or six sites. The designs he offered were good, but he knew nothing about databases and couldn't build the
e-commerce portion of the site Carberry needed. Once again, Carberry looked for more help. This time, he went to a bigger shop, Information Technology
Systems in Newton, Mass., that was able to rebuild 4realmen.com's Web site and create its databases.
What then do you do to check the smarts of your Web builder? When it comes to building e-commerce tools or databases, Steffan Berelowitz, president of
Boston Web designer BiT Group, looks for folks with their bachelor's or master's degree in computer science. "Only very occasionally do I hire someone
without those degrees," he says. When looking for someone to do basic Web presentation -- "HTML jockeys," Berelowitz calls them -- he looks for their
portfolio. "There's no excuse for not having a good portfolio. This doesn't mean you have to have worked on Exxon.com. You can show me your home page with a
picture of the family dog," he says. It just has to be a really first-rate family dog home page.
It's All Geek to Me
A Glossary of Common Computer-Industry Certifications
Certification: A+
Vendor: CompTIA
What It Means: A+ holders understand the hardware guts of personal computers and their operating system software. They can repair and troubleshoot common
problems. The program is backed by over 50 major computer hardware and software manufacturers, vendors, distributors, resellers, and publishers. It is one
of the most widely recognized certifications in the industry.
Certification: MCSE+ Internet
Vendor: Microsoft
What It Means: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer+ Internet credential qualifies IT professionals to enhance, deploy, and manage sophisticated intranet
and Internet solutions. They can also manage and analyze Web sites.
Certification: MCSE
Vendor: Microsoft
What It Means: One of the more common but essential certifications. MCSEs are versed in Microsoft Windows NT Server and the Microsoft BackOffice server
products.
Certification: MCDBA
Vendor: Microsoft
What It Means: Microsoft Certified Database Administrator credential is the premier certification for professionals who implement and administer Microsoft
SQL Server databases.
Certification: MCP+ Site Building
Vendor: Microsoft
What It Means: Microsoft Certified Professionals with a specialty in site building are qualified to plan build, maintain, and manage Web sites using Microsoft technologies and products. The credential is appropriate for people who manage sophisticated, interactive Web sites that include database connectivity, multimedia, and searchable content.
Certification: CCNA
Vendor: Cisco Systems
What It Means: One of the most common network certifications. CCNAs can install, configure, and operate simple-routed LAN, routed WAN, and switched LAN
networks.
By
Kevin Ferguson
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