With a track record of over two decades in the enterprise suite, IBM Lotus has become an essential communication and collaboration tool at many large companies. In fact, recent IT surveys indicate that departments in more than half of the Fortune 100 rely on Lotus for daily operations.
Lotus Notes may sound familiar to business computer users who have relied on its familiar email client at any point over the past 21 years. However, Lotus stands for much more than email, and IT directors have rediscovered the platform as a secure alternative to more complex competitors.
Sitting behind Notes on nearly every one of the platform’s deployments, Lotus Domino serves up applications as well as contacts, calendars, and secure email. One of the main reasons Lotus remains popular among large companies is that Domino allows users the ability to develop custom applications without direct intervention from IT managers. This unusual arrangement helps teams increase productivity, but places demands on network administrators who must ensure uptime, security and compliance. IBM Lotus certification empowers IT professionals to balance the centralized needs of their employers with the evolving demands of end users.
IBM Lotus Employers
IBM Lotus users tend to remain loyal, especially to a system that has grown from a simple internal communications system to a development platform for custom desktop and mobile applications. Companies that have revealed themselves as IBM Lotus users include some of the largest firms in the world, as well as medium-sized businesses with recognizable brand names. However, IBM’s connections to the nonprofit, government and education sectors have ensured wide Lotus adoption in all of those arenas. State governments, federal agencies, and even the United Nations rely on Lotus for critical communication and intelligence. As a result, graduates of IBM Lotus training programs can choose from a list of the most reliable employers in the world.
Types of IBM Lotus Certifications
IBM offers dozens of specialized Lotus certifications in a handful of broad focus areas:
- IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8.5 Application Development
- IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8.5 System Administration
- IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8 Application Development
- IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8 System Administration
- IBM Lotus Live
- Advanced Collaboration
- IBM Lotus Sametime
- IBM Lotus Security Professional
- IBM Lotus Web Content Management
- IBM Workplace
- IBM WebSphere Portal
The modular nature of IBM certifications makes them even more attractive to IT professionals working at companies that offer tuition reimbursement or other subsidized professional development benefits. For instance, an Associate Application Developer can use job experience and formal training to prepare for certification as a fully-fledged Application Developer. With a few more years of development experience, the same professional can train to earn the Advanced Application Developer designation. Professionals can mix and match certifications and training to gain more precise knowledge of both Notes and Domino.
Taking the IBM Lotus Certification Exams
Like other certifications, IBM Lotus tests require applicants to endure a proctored examination at a third-party testing facility. According to recent salary surveys conducted by Global Knowledge and Foote Partners, many employers consider completion of formal IBM Lotus training almost as good as earning formal certification. IBM works closely with colleges, universities and career training centers to ensure students gain access to fully accredited training and practice material. Whether working one’s way up the company ranks or preparing for an entirely new career, IBM Lotus certification offers measurable paths to long-term career success.
