International Business Machines (IBM) is the largest information technology (IT) company in the world. It was the originator of the "IBM-compatible" desktop computer, and is now a provider of advanced computer products for small to mega enterprises.
Subsequently, IBM certification lands IT jobs at enterprises that incorporate or service IBM products. To give you an idea of how many jobs are available at this writing, a broad keyword search on IBM at Dice, a popular technical job bank, returned 5,127 jobs requiring IBM expertise. The same search at Computer Jobs, a popular IT job bank, returned 131 pages of relevant job listings in the thousands.
IBM says that "The certification requirements are tough, but it's not rocket science, either. It's a rigorous process that differentiates you from everyone else." IBM certification is at three levels of technical proficiency, when viewed by role:
- Entry
- Intermediate
- Advanced
There are a few other ways to view and consider IBM certification in addition to role, such as by product and exam. See Professional Certification Process for the basic steps toward earning IBM certification.
IBM certification training is provided worldwide in familiar formats, including instructor-led, self-study and online courses. Pearson VUE and Thomson Prometric administer IBM certification exams worldwide, as they do for many an IT certification.