CompTIA Blog

Coming off a surprising federal election in December, the Human Services Information Technology Advisory Group (HSITAG) heard from national association leaders about their predictions on the future of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under a new administration. While a lot is still unknown and much to be revealed in the New Year, the one thing that the group agreed on (and has been publicly stated) is that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as we know it will go away – at least in part.

Sacramento State University recently hosted a series of events to examine what is possible when government and technology interface. CompTIA’s SLED Council is a big supporter of the Sac State Policy and Politics program and even sponsored a $5,000 scholarship for a graduate student in 2016.

On Wednesday, Dec. 7, nearly 4,000 IT professionals logged on to make our first IT Pro Day a rousing success. CompTIA Senior Director, Technology Analysis, Seth Robinson emceed the event, which included a keynote from CompTIA President and CEO Todd Thibodeaux, learning sessions from CompTIA staff and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and reports live on the scene from CompTIA Director, Education, Miles Jobgen.

Are consumer tech products and applications a concern, opportunity or both for the channel? Providers may not have to integrate or support every device someone brings into the workplace or every solution uploaded on a laptop , but they should have a say in how they are used or deployed. The consumerization of IT definitely presents new challenges to solution providers, but those who understand its value to their clients will reap the rewards from delivering additional network, security and support services.

CompTIA’s 6th Annual State of the Channel study found that while 4 in 10 solution providers describe themselves as “very satisfied” with their vendors in the last year – a percentage on par with 2015 – the firms that had some level of dissatisfaction more than doubled. Relationships are not just harder to maintain, they're undergoing dynamic changes.

With the flurry of events, activities and resource introductions in 2016, this is a great point to take a step back and reflect. What were some of the resources CompTIA members valued the most in 2016? With hundreds of research reports, education guides and IT business tools to choose from, it wasn’t easy narrowing it down to a Top 10 list, but we did.

Cristina Greysman, senior director, partner experience, at Sungard Availability Services, shares tips on hiring women in tech.

With the help of CompTIA Project+, Dr. Maleerat Sodanil at King Mongkut’s University of Technology in Thailand prepares students in her software project management course for present-day success — and trains them to build Thailand’s IT future.

Mike Haines, director of partner incentive strategy at Microsoft, shares his thoughts on working with partners.

Tech news hit the mainstream in 2016, and terms like private servers and cyber-attacks entered the vernacular. Let’s look back at some of the most talked about tech stories of 2016 to try and predict what’s in store for 2017.

Attendance at a conference won’t build you a new vertical. But it will help providers understand how crucial the cloud is in that process. Or should I say it makes the move to verticalization much easier for many IT services firms, lowering the cost of entry and increasing their solution options. That also reduces the associated risks and gives them a platform to use with similar customers.

One of the great things about the American political system is the chance to hit the reset button. For better or worse, every two years a new Congress is sworn in. New members come to Washington with new ideas –some more sensible than others– but nevertheless, this biennial tradition brings with it renewed hope. That’s why we’re so excited for 2017 and the soon-to-be-sworn-in 115th Congress.

Wes Bryan hit the road with the CompTIA Instructor Network (CIN) Roadshow 2016 to help training managers, program managers, teachers and instructors see the benefit of joining the CIN.

Change is a necessary component of every business, especially for those in the IT industry. Innovation and complexity require continual transformation today. Those who don’t keep pace may quickly find themselves behind the competition. They may also end up losing that “trusted advisor” and “chief innovation officer” status their customers have anointed them with. So how can IT services providers boost their capabilities and reinvent their businesses for the future?

Dr. Thongchai Kaewkiriya, lecturer at the Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology in Thailand, preps his students to take on IT roles in the many Japanese enterprises throughout the region. Since implementing CompTIA curricula in his courses, his students are even better prepared to demonstrate their ability — and get hired because of it.