Founded twenty-eight years ago, the Computing Technology Industry Association (or CompTIA for short) is a non-profit association. The organisation produces vendor neutral accreditations that have made it a world number one in its field. This basically means they're absolutely free to independently deliver and monitor exams and accreditations that are required by the IT market, regardless of a particular company's commercial interests. With the current move towards 'inter-connectivity' and systems 'convergence', this is a great step for the I.T. trainee, as it gives cross platform learning and a knowledge of 'integration'. Each time new syllabuses are produced, 'CompTIA' invites a number of academic & commercial groups to come together and confirm that each area has been regarded equally, & the packages are commercially appropriate.

In relation to 'Network+' , the previous 'N10-003' has currently been superseded by the N10-004, the '2009' version. In addition to the solid component of managing and running networks & their infrastructure, this latest exam focuses heavily on security, design and wireless-skills.

New entrants into the I.T. industry can look to 'CompTIA' for a good deal of their preliminary training courses. Trainees thinking about getting into networks and support, or systems, servers & security should most often begin with CompTIA, although it is reasonable to say that CompTIA certifications will enhance just about any CV geared for the IT industry. 'CompTIA' are now also producing 'STRATA' certifications - they're not designed for those employed in the IT sector, but for those whose positions require a basic knowledge of computers.

The two exams have quite recently undergone a 2009 upgrade in line with CompTIA's move towards ISO standardisation. Globally the 2006/2007 editions of 'A+' (those with the exam pre-fix number 600) will disappear within the coming year. In the United Kingdom, they discontinue on August 31st 2010. As 2009 examinations (version 700) are already available at test centres around the country, the newer study programs would be a more sensible alternative for anyone who is just starting out. CompTIA 'A+' Essentials & 'CompTIA' 'A+' Practical Application are the new exam titles (220-701 & 220/702 respectively). The four original examinations have been re-structured in to 2 brand new examinations, & some further updated material has been introduced. Although the older A+ had 4 examinations within the whole program, just 2 were necessary for the accreditation. Today the sector needs workers with know-how that was in all four past exams. Individuals will get that knowledge from the two new essential 'A+' programs. Anyone who has previously taken the 600 examination can bring their qualification up-to-date by taking an upgrade exam - 'BR-003'. Passing the upgrade exam will in most cases need more study, although it shouldn't be too much of a challenge for those who initially studied all 4. Clearly though the newer technological topics must be studied.

Average study times for these exams are judged to be in the region of 100-150 hrs for the A+ , and 75 to 100 hrs for the Network+ . This makes obtaining them both inside of 6 months part time studying entirely likely, providing good quality multi-media training products are used, together with decent examination preparation-software.