ACE Question 1

[Rogue2000]

Our department uses Crystal Reports frequently to access Oracle databases. I'm considering putting 5 of our personnel through the ACE couse that Crystal Decision offers. It's $1500. I would like someone who has went through the certification process to tell me what you thought. What are the pros and cons? Is it a good investment?

Thanks,
K. Ferris

gatewaysw@hotmail.com

 

[emcevoy]

hi there,

There is an ongoing thread in the Crystal Reports General information. Maybe take a look at that and see what people are saying

thread149-162071 E. McEvoy
Crystal Reports Consultant

http://www.crystalconsulting.ca

emcevoy@crystalconsulting.ca

 

[LoaferMan]

Howard Hammerman has a test online that your people could take.

http://www.hammerman.com

if I remember correctly. I took the test, passed, and received my certificate. I believe you would be money and time ahead to bring in a Crystal Reports pro to give a two day class to your people for $2000 or less, then have them take the Hammerman test to see how they are doing. They need to write reports that are relevent to your company and situation.

If they show signs of needing more, then spend the money, but I think it will be more for them to have a piece of paper than to learn practical, useful things.

I believe the ACE test is kind of like getting a 4 door extended cab truck when you either already had a trailer or really need a semi. It gets you halfway to somewhere, but not quite where you thought it would.

If you are not sure, just send one person through the ACE program.

My 2 cents... LoaferMan - There is no practice life. This is it. (Billy Crockett)

 

[miked123]

What is ACE? What is the course material?
Thanks. Mike Davis
MSsql, VB and Crystal Reports Developer

 

[emcevoy]

Hi there

What ACE stands for is Authorized Crystal Engineer. It is a certification from Crystal Decisions for thier Crystal Reports version 8. The course materials are online using a specialized explorer to access the materials. The exam is an online exam. You need to get a score of 85% to pass. The course and exam are based on learned knowledge of the materials as well as working knowledge learned with use in the industry. You will need to ensure that you have done or have the equivilant of Intro and Advanced Crystal Reports Design course from Crystal Decisions to understand all the terminology as the course assumes you know Crystal Reports already, it is not a beginners course.

Hope this answers your question?
E. McEvoy
Crystal Reports Consultant

http://www.crystalconsulting.ca

emcevoy@crystalconsulting.ca

 

[GaryWilsonCPA]

I learned how to use crystal with TEK TIPS and several books. A 1 day primer class should get most serious folks off to a good start. The program really is easy to use.

 

[kenhamady]

I have not taken the ACE for several reasons. So far, I have not found it used as a standard in the market. I have written my other reasons in an article about Crystal Certifications at:

http://www.kenhamady.com/news0111.html

Ken Hamady, On-site Custom Crystal Reports Training & Consulting
Public classes and individual training.
Expert's Guide to Formulas / Guide to Crystal in VB

http://www.kenhamady.com/

- tek@kenhamady.com

 

[thepianoman]

I am ACE certified and can tell you that I just applied for a position where it was required that the person be ACE certified..I believe it would be good to have as it is another notch on the belt! It does test your knowledge of Crystal Reports and troublshooting.

 

[kenhamady]

pianoman,

Good luck on the job. That is the first case that I have even heard of. It might become more common in the future.

Keep in mind that ACE isn't certification - it is authorization. True CD certification is limited to CD Partners, and that is one of the things that I find so distateful. You can be authorized but not 'really' certified.

I also think that it is a pretty expensive notch in the belt, when you consider that is is given on the web with no identity verification. Ken Hamady, On-site Custom Crystal Reports Training & Consulting
Public classes and individual training.
Expert's Guide to Formulas / Guide to Crystal in VB

http://www.kenhamady.com/

- tek@kenhamady.com

 

[bdjb]

My work is going to pay for it, so why not? My manager sees it as a way to "prove" what I know in Crystal, which will help with promotions.

Bob

 

[kenhamady]

Well, it is hard to argue with free. Let us know what you think of the process. Ken Hamady, On-site Custom Crystal Reports Training & Consulting
Public classes and individual training.
Expert's Guide to Formulas / Guide to Crystal in VB

http://www.kenhamady.com/

- tek@kenhamady.com

 

[Maximizer]

Greetings!

Been there: Got both the Crystal Reports Certified Consultant 8.5 (CRCC) and the Authorized Crystal Engineer (ACE).

Merci
James Keep, A.C.E.
Crystal Reports(tm) Certified Consultant 8.5 (CRCC)
CMRC
Crystal Decisions Business Partner
Montreal, Qc, Canada

http://www.cmrc.qc.ca

 

[kenhamady]

Maximizer,

Interesting, how would you compare the two? Ken Hamady, On-site Custom Crystal Reports Training & Consulting
Public classes and individual training.
Expert's Guide to Formulas / Guide to Crystal in VB

http://www.kenhamady.com/

- tek@kenhamady.com

 

[CrystalGuru1]

Hi All,


Crystal Reports certification exams are now out, although
the ACE still exist, this exam will provide the Crystal certification you might be looking for. I recently took exam 1 of 3 and passed and I am on my way towards being a CRCP.

I used examhints.com practice questions, passed with a score of 75%, I hope this information is useful.

Raj

 

[Maximizer]

Hi all! If you state that the exam(s) are now "out" -- does this not lower the standards...

My two cents!

Thanks

James Keep, A.C.E.
Crystal Reports(tm) Certified Consultant 8.5 (CRCC)
CMRC
Crystal Decisions Business Partner
Montreal, Qc, Canada

http://www.cmrc.qc.ca

 

[bdreed35]

I totally agree with Maximizer.

Hey CrystalGuru1, since you have posted almost the same exact thing in every thread on this topic, it seems you have a keen interest in people going to this site. Perhaps you should read up on Tek-Tips posting rules.

http://www.tecumsehgroup.com/administration.htm

Maybe if you posted in other Crystal forums, and offered useful technical information to the other posters here, you might be taken more seriously.

~Brian

 

[CrystalGuru1]

Hey Maximiser\Bdreed35,



Although the ACE exams have not been eradicated, the New CRCP Exams are now being provided by Business Objects, how the introduction of the CRCP exams certification lowers the standard is a puzzle to me. I provided information, which I found personally useful….....(Study Guides), not technical enough for you? SORRY.

my 2 cents worth

Thanks

Raj

 

[bdreed35]

The introduction of the CRCP exams do not lower the standards. What lowers the standards are websites like examhints.com that send people to take the exam, memorize the questions, and then regurgitate the information back to them. Then they sell the information to people who then memorize the answers and then go pass the exam.

Some of these people have no practical experience using Crystal Reports, but will hold the cert because they could memorize the answers to the questions. This is exactly what happened with the MCSE. Many people passed the exams because they memorize questions and answers to exam questions, but had no work experience with the software. These people give those certs a bad name, and lower the standards for the deserving people who truly know the software and don't need to memorize the questions and answers.

~Brian

 

[CrystalGuru1]

My personal experience of using their study guides was totally different to what you
are suggesting, I have 7 years of Crystal Reports experience, and 20 years experience as
a Developer, the syllabus for the CRCP exams are clearly available for all via the
Business Objects web site, it stipulates the prerequisite for each Exam, from my personal
experience the study guides covered the various areas in the syllabus and it was up to me to refresh my practical experience\knowledge.

Report Design I and II are also recommended routes before embarking on the exams. Check out the CRCP route via the business objects website before you pass judgement.....

Thanks

Raj