The Hitachi Data Systems Certified Professional Program is designed to validate the skills and knowledge in the areas of storage architecture, implementation, and administration. It is for Hitachi Data Systems partners, customers and personnel who are utilizing products and technology offered by Hitachi Data Systems. For more detailed information on the program please visit http://www.hds.com/certification.

Certification credentials take up to three weeks to be sent out to candidates depending on when they have taken the exam. We send the electronic copies of the certificate so you can print, email and share your credential. We also email the certification logos so that you can import them onto business cards, letterhead etc. at your own discretion. We do not send hardcopy certificates.

• Pass one Hitachi Data Systems Storage Foundations exam
• Pass a product related multiple-question exam (if available).
• NOTE: Training is required to be eligible for these tests.

The following exams are now available:

• Hitachi Data Systems Foundations–Enterprise exam (HH0-110)
• Hitachi Data Systems Foundations–Modular exam (HH0-120)
• Hitachi Data Systems Implementation Enterprise exam (HH0-210)
• Hitachi Data Systems Implementation Modular exam (HH0-220)
• Hitachi Data Systems Implementation Specialist–Business Continuity exam (HH0-270)
• Hitachi Data Systems Implementation Specialist–Storage Management exam (HH0-280)
• Hitachi Data Systems Storage Manager–Business Continuity Enterprise exam (HH0-330)
• Hitachi Data Systems Storage Manager–Business Continuity Modular exam (HH0-340)
• Hitachi Data Systems Storage Manager–Storage Management exam (HH0-380)
• Hitachi Data Systems Architect–Business Continuity exam (HH0-400)
• Hitachi Data Systems Architect–Performance & Virtualization exam (HH0-440)

All Hitachi Data Systems certification exams are developed by Hitachi Data Systems subject matter experts using industry-standard processes and procedures for certification exams.

The certification program includes exams appropriate for highly technical experts as well as professionals who require a basic understanding of storage products and technologies offered by Hitachi Data Systems.

Hitachi certification is designed for all professionals involved in developing, managing, administrating, designing, selling, implementing, and maintaining storage network solutions.

Certification will provide professionals working with Hitachi Data Systems storage products and technology credentials that validate their expertise level in storage management, services and implementations, including HDS best practices and solutions.

• Validate your skills and knowledge
• Gain peer recognition
• Make yourself more valuable to your company
• Target and build upon the skills you have as an industry professional
• Gain more business due to your validated expertise

All third party proctored certification exams are offered through Prometric and are available worldwide at all Prometric test centers. Candidates may register online at www.prometric.com/hitachi.

Candidates may register for the Internet-based Hitachi Data Systems Sales Qualification Exam at www.ibt.prometric.com/hds.

Exam costs are based on the United States dollar value assigned and then converted to the local currency.

• All published exams cost US$200 in the U.S. and Canada
• All published exams cost US$225 outside the U.S. and Canada or equivalent in local currency.

The exams are multiple question, multiple choice, proctored examinations, as well as on-line multiple question, multiple choice exams and performance-based tests.

Exam details will be posted on the Hitachi Data Systems Academy Web site at http://www.hds.com/certification and are subject to change.

Exam descriptions as well as the training available for each certification will be posted on the Hitachi Data Systems Academy Web site at http://www.hds.com/certification and are subject to change.

The Hitachi Data Systems Qualified Sales Professional Program is designed primarily for HDS partners. To become HDS Sales Qualified, the participant must pass the Hitachi Data Systems Sales Foundations Qualification test (HDS-SQ100). This test will be available via Internet Based Testing (IBT) at http://ibt.prometric.com/hds.

To prepare for the on-line test, it is recommended to follow the sales learning paths at http://www.hds.com/services/education/certification/sales-qualification-track.html. The exam is open book.

All pre-sales technical professionals, in addition to following the Pre-Sales Learning paths, should pursue the HDS Certified Professional credential, which is obtained by passing one of the HDS Storage Foundations certification exams. There are specific boot camp training courses offered in support of these certification exams.

The sales courses are usually free of charge.

The Hitachi Data Systems Sales Foundations Qualification exam costs $50.

There are no prerequisites for the program. All credentials require the certification candidate to pass one of the Hitachi Data Systems Storage Foundations exams.

• Each year the rules for recertification will be evaluated, so they may indeed change from year to year.
• For 2009 recertification, the requirement for 2007 credentialed participants to obtain the equivalent 2009 credential via recertification is passing one of the Foundations exams.
  ^*For example, if you obtained HDS Implementer credential in 2007, you will only need to pass the Foundations exam to gain the 2009 HDS Implementer credential.
• The principle reason for this is the skills required in the advanced exams have not changed, but the base products have, and the Foundation exams focus on those base products and technology. The Foundation exams are updated yearly at the very least.
• The credentials are tied to partner programs which require recertification every two years. All credentials starting in 2006 have been stamped by the year.
• Sales Qualification requires the passing of one exam per year. If the only exam available is the Sales Foundations exam in a given year, this test must be passed yearly.

• Participants must wait 72 hours before retaking a certification exam.
• The Hitachi Data Systems Certification Program office may waive that requirement