This our story on becoming a member of the Apple Consultants Network
Since the Summer of 2023, Inception Support has undergone significant changes in its operations, aspirations for the future, and the solutions and services we offer.
As the process to innovate and grow evolved and we looked at how we could better serve our existing and future customers. We realised that in order to achieve our goals we needed to go further than solutions based on years of experience and knowledge gained from previous accreditations. We required a globally recognised standard of excellence by association. Our eyes fell upon the Apple Consultants Network…
The criteria to become a member of this prestigious group is strict. Understandably so; after all, we’re asking Apple to put their business customers in our care. With Paul having worked for an Apple Authorised Service Provider some time ago, and James at Apple in Bromley, it was already clear that this would be more than a simple, check-box exercise.
To get considered by Apple to become a member of the consultant’s network is a two-step process. The first step was for Paul to become an Apple Certified Support Professional, which consists of a training course on Apple’s website and an exam that is notoriously difficult to pass, with a highly technical focus (and closed-book), almost to the point of impossible. Several months of learning after hours, often late into the night, and he was ready to take the exam. And failed!
It was another two weeks before a retest could be requested, taking us into the Christmas break of 2023 and when it was allowed, the exam was no longer available. Much confusion ensued. As it turns out, Apple had changed the course to be much more support-centric and the exam was being re-written, so it was sit and wait with a feeling of being back at square one.
Once again it was after-hours learning, getting to grips with the new course material and it’s various tangents, although this time Paul was actually enjoying it. This wasn’t learning facts by rote, to be retained by the grey mater and delivered on request, this was about new and interesting ways of supporting Macs, iDevices and the entire Apple ecosystem.
Optimism was high and exam attempt two loomed… This time it was a flying PASS! Phew!
Next up was step two of the application process; the MDM (Mobile Device Management) module. At this point there was far more choice of courses or exams to choose from, so we decided the Addigy Certified Associate course would be the one to go for. As an Addigy partner using their platform to manage our client’s devices it was an obvious choice. As a bonus there was a tutor-led course available and the exam was open-book, as Addigy test you on your ability to find the information required, which is often a skill in itself. This one Paul passed first time.
Duly armed with the required certificates and the application form completed, Paul submitted the request to become a member of the Apple Consultants Network. We were accepted, relieved and delighted!
At Inception Support we pride ourselves on the combined 20+ years of knowledge, experience and expertise we bring to our clients. To have that recognised by one of the biggest companies and most respected brands in the world, and one of only 50 other members in the UK, is a an absolute game changer as we head into summer 2024 and beyond.
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Check out our listing on Apple’s resource locator
