Mac Consultant? Apple Wants You!

by , 10:00 AM EDT, May 28th, 2002

Apple has announced a new service aimed at Mac consultants. The new service is called the Apple Consultants Network. What is it, you ask? From Apple:

The Apple Consultants Network provides critical information, training, and resources for consultants. Our purpose is to help you successfully build your business, enhance your skills, and ensure a positive customer experience. The program is designed for consultants offering a variety of services -- from cross-platform network integration to digital imaging and wireless support, and targeting a variety of industries -- from legal to education and publishing.

Beyond the resource, the Apple Consultants Network offers a sizeable list of perks too, including discounts on Apple and vendor software, referral services, and tools for becoming more successful as an Apple consultant.

Not just anyone can join the Apple Consultants Network, you must be an Apple Certified Technical Coordinator. Find out more at Apple's Consultants Network Web site.

The Mac Observer Spin:

There's a lot going on behind the doors of 1 Infinite Loop. Could this be Apple's plan to populate the field with qualified service people? Microsoft did this with the introduction of NT; suddenly the demand for NT certified technicians went through the roof and, for a while, Microsoft couldn't keep up with the demand. Then there was a glut of NT techs. Still, by training technicians in the Microsoft way Redmond insured that its products would be the first choice when decisions where made about what platform to use. In effect, the training beget, in part, the need.

Apple could be taking a few lessons from Microsoft's playbook. The problem is that just a few bad technicians can sour a large corporation on Apple products, so Apple must insure that anyone who is Apple Certified knows what the heck he or she is doing. The bright spot is that many would-be techs already have UNIX or Linux experience, which translates well into OS X. Whether this push will allow Apple to blossom in the corporate world remains to be seen, but it is definitely a step in the right direction.

Apple Consultants Network