5/15/2002 -- Cisco Systems announced yesterday that it has launched two more specialty certifications for telephony professionals: Cisco IP Telephony Design Specialist and the Cisco IP Telephony Operations Specialist.

The Design Specialist title focuses on design issues for voice-over-data networks, including in-depth coverage of IOS-based and CallManager-based voice network designs, methodology for implementing voice-over-data networks and Deploying Quality of Service (DQoS), the company said. To obtain this title, candidates must be certified as a Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) and pass two exams.

The Operations Specialist designation focuses on candidates' ability to troubleshoot Enterprise CallManager, Unity and IP network deployments, among other skills. Before attempting this title's two exams, candidates must hold Cisco's Certified Network Associate (CCNA) title.

Exams for both specialty certifications are now available at Vue and Prometric testing centers worldwide.

Cisco released its first IP telephony title, Support Specialist, in January.

For more information about Cisco's specialty certification program, including the two new titles above, click here. - B.N.