7/27/2004 -- This week Cisco announced a new Unified Design certification as part of its Cisco Qualified Specialist program.

According to the company, the title builds upon "a strong foundational knowledge of Microsoft Exchange 2000 or 2003," and certifies that candidates can "install, configure, operate, and maintain a Cisco Unity 4.0 system in both stand-alone voice mail and unified messaging environments."

To become a Cisco Unified Communications Design Specialist, candidates are required to hold a valid Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) credential and pass the new Unity Design and Networking exam (#642-071). Objectives for this exam, now live, can be found here.

Cisco "strongly recommends" that candidates hold a Microsoft's Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) title with "an emphasis in Exchange" before pursuing the new specialty.

Like all Cisco Qualified Specialist credentials, once granted the title remains valid for two years.

For more information on this announcement, go here. -Becky Nagel