Google Apps Cerifications

rickjames · 12 Apr 2015 at 12:17

Howdy, if this is the wrong thread please move.

Just wondering if anyone on here has done the Google Apps Administrator/Deployment Specialist certifications? After just passing my A+ I've been given the go ahead by work to do the Administrator cert alongside my Network+, currently where I work (a school) we have a GAFE domain where I've merely played around and got a feel for it as well as sync all our users from AD.

I don't see them moving to GAPPS anytime soon but both certs seem like they'd be quite useful to have for whenever I move on, thoughts/advice? My vague plan for certs is these and the Network+ followed by a path towards the MCSE (Cloud/server infrastructure).

Cheers!

Caged · 12 Apr 2015 at 12:40

I honestly don't see the Google Apps certs as being useful at all, unless it's required to get to a certain partner level with Google, or you're an MSP and want to collect logos to put on your website.

Google Apps isn't a difficult product to work with. Having the qualification is probably less valuable than "handled a project migrating from on-site Exchange to Google Apps for a user base of 500 and performed day-to-day administration tasks and support" on your CV.

Don't fall into the trap of collecting certs over gaining experience. If it helps you get a foot in the door then by all means go for it, but you already work in a Google Apps environment, so leverage that as much as you can and get some projects under your belt.

rickjames · 12 Apr 2015 at 13:30

Cheers for that, all taken onboard. To be fair we don't work in a GAPPS environment at all, just have the domain sitting there for the day we possibly decide it's worth our while. FWIW I don't see it being anytime soon, whilst we weaned people on to Windows 8.1 relatively easily they're more than likely way too invested in Office stuff.

And no, not falling into the traps of certs over experience at all, just beginning to map things out now I've my A+ out of the way. Besides my employer has offered to pay for it and thinks it's a good one for the future, really.

Caged · 12 Apr 2015 at 14:05

If you're studying in work time and it's no cost to you then there's no reason not to do it. If doing the Google Apps cert(s) is going to prevent you doing something else (i.e. you have a set budget for the year) then do something else.

I'm confused as to why your employer would offer to pay for Google Apps certs if they had no intention of moving people onto it. Maybe have that discussion with whoever sits in your CIO role - are you being asked to learn more about the product so that you can be an evangelist for it and migrate away from Exchange? If that's the case then I would consider doing the Office 365 MCSA as well so you can be in an informed position to compare and contrast the two. If we're being honest 99% of businesses won't be weaning people away from Office any time soon, so paying for Office and Google Apps for email makes no sense when you could wrap it all up in one Office 365 subscription.

rickjames · 12 Apr 2015 at 14:23

We don't have a set budget or anything, our consultant just suggested it in passing last week. Like I say my vague plan for this year is to start on my Network+ pretty soonish and then do 70-410: Installing and Configuring Server 2012 with the intention of heading towards that MCSA/MCSE path. If I can do relatively quickly on the side and it's one to knock off then why not eh.

It could be an evangelist type thing I suppose, we could move to O365, who knows.