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Training Blog | Part 2: IBM B2B Continuous Learning: What, Where, How and Why

By Adolfo Loustaunau posted Tue July 20, 2021 07:46 AM

  

In the previous blog , we divided the B2B body of knowledge into different domains and segments. This blog will provide a guideline about where to get trained on B2B technology.

 

There are four major sources of training in order acquire B2B Knowledge:

  • Formal organizations
  • Subject matter experts (SMEs)
  • Forums
  • Others

 

In this blog, each of these options will be reviewed in more detail

1. Formal Organizations
There are several companies which provide formal or informal knowledge transfer specific to B2B technology. The following tables display training options based on the body of knowledge discussed in the previous blog. By clicking on the proper title, training organizations and specific details like total number of hours, cost and difficulty (Beginner, Intermediate, Advance, etc.) will be displayed:

IBM Sterling Integrator

 

 

 

 

Title

Duration

*Format

Role

Badge

IBM Sterling B2B Integrator Fundamentals

5 days

CR, ILO

•Application Programmers

•System Administrators

•Operators

•Production Control

•Support

No

IBM Sterling B2B Integrator Administration and Tuning v5.2.6.1

4 Days

CR, ILO

•System Administrators

•Developers & Testers

•Support

•Performance Tuners

No

IBM Sterling B2B Integrator Advanced Business Process Modeling

3 days

CR, ILO

•EDI end user

•Web developer

•System Administrator

•Business Analyst

No

Figure 1: IBM Sterling B2B Integrator training options
*Format: CR = Classroom, ILO = Instructor Led Online



IBM Mange File Transfer

 

 

 

 

Title

Duration

*Format

Role

Badge

IBM Sterling File Gateway Managing Sterling File Gateway

3 days

CR, ILO

•Application Programmers

•System Administrators

•Operators

•Production Control

•Support

No

IBM Sterling Connect Direct for Windows V4.7 Fundamentals

3 Days

CR, ILO

•System Administrators

•Developers & Testers

•Support

No

IBM Control Center V6.1 Overview

2 days

CR, ILO

•EDI end user

•Web developer

•System Administrator

•Super Users

No

IBM Sterling Secure Proxy

3 days

CR, ILO

•System Administrator

•Super Users

No

Figure 2: IBM Manage File Transfer training options

*Format: CR = Classroom, ILO = Instructor Led Online



These tables provide information about formal trainings specific to IBM Sterling tools. If there is a need for gaining knowledge on a broader scope of IBM Tools, the following link can help: 

https://www.ibm.com/training/search?query=

 

 

2. Subject Matter Experts

The previous training options are within a rigid formal framework. In this section, we list business partner organizations which can provide a SME who can assist with a specific use case required in your organization.

 

This type of engagement is more flexible in time and scope, which allows you to focus on the specific problem or gap to be resolved. For example, your organization is exploring to migrate your current Sterling Integrator footprint to a containerized environment. It would be better to engage an SME to explain functionality, architecture, benefits and to assess efforts to complete the migration based on current needs and priorities of your organization.

 

This can be seen as an ad-hoc training; nonetheless it is very important to clearly establish goals, scope, deliverables, sequence of events and timeline.

 

The next table provides a few key business partner organizations that can be leveraged for this type of training engagements:

Organization Name

CoEnterprise

ComResource

ECOM

Lightwell

Pragma Edge

Remedi

Miracle Software

IBM Expert Lab Services

Sirius

Systems Integration Architects 

Figure 3: IBM business partners

 

Here is a link where you can look for more information on IBM business partners in the B2Bspace:

https://www.ibm.com/watson/supply-chain/partners/explorer/#/?search=edi

 

 

3. Forums

Another efficient way to acquire knowledge and learning on B2B technology is through forums and portals.

These types of sites can be used as an effective tool to clarify specific questions or decisions since these are based on collective intelligence and experience of their users.


The following table enlists a few options:

Forums

 

 

 

Portal Name

Specialization

Membership Required?

Website

IBM Fix Central

General

Yes; Free

https://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/

IBM Support Portal

General

Yes; Cost

https://www.ibm.com/support/home/

World of Integration

EDI/B2B

Yes; Free

http://www.worldofintegration.com/category/sterling-integrator/sterling-integrator

Figure 4: B2B open and brand forums

 

 

4. Other Sources 

Finally, there are plenty of other online communities that can be valuable to learn about B2B technology. Although, these websites are not for specific technical questions, these portals can offer interesting information, or at least provide the opportunity to create an online community or portal.

Forums

 

 

 

Portal Name

Specialization

Membership Required?

Website

Facebook

General

Yes; Free

https://www.facebook.com/

American Society for Quality

Industry Specific

Yes; Free

https://asq.org/cert

Quora

General

Yes; Free

https://www.quora.com/

Figure 5: Other Forums

 


Conclusion:

Each of these training options are not mutually exclusive. You can access the various options based on your current needs and experience, allowing you to grow your knowledge and expertise, providing benefits to your organization and external communities.

 

 

 







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