Contact:
Mario E. Typaldos
Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications
Solusoft
Phone: +507.232.9222
E-mail: marioernesto.typaldos@solusoft.com
<!--StartFragment-->Panama City, Panama - Feb, 8th 2010 – Solusoft, a Busines and IT Consulting Firm recently announced today that John Coster, Sr. Consultant has obtained the Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) degree issued by the Institue of Supply Management (ISM). This certification is considered the most recognized designation globally with regards to professionals in the Supply Management field, and John is the first person to achieve this certification in Panama. An individual with a CPM designation represents the broadest body of knowledge in the dynamic and critical field of supply management. With its rigorous testing and lifelong learning requirements, this certification has become the standard of achievement and excellence for the profession.
A candidate must possess a certain amount of experience and pass the required exams in order to become certified. Thus, someone who wants to become certified must pass the exams and prove past work experiences as well. Following is a brief interview with John Coster who explains the importance and what this achievement means to Solusoft and Panama.
- How was the preparation like in order to obtain this certification? = Preparation for the exams was very difficult. Although there are study guides, most of the exams questions are based on knowledge and understanding that you obtain through experience. So there is no complete set of books or guides that cover all of the topics on the exams.
- What tests did you have to pass in order to obtain this certification? = There are four (4) exams which you are required to pass. The titles are: Purchasing Process, Supply Environment, then Value Enhancement Strategies and finally Management.
- How difficult is it to obtain this certification? = For me, it was not as difficult since I have many years of experience that supported my understanding of the topics covered by the exams. However my understanding is that many people find the exams to be extremely difficult.
- What are the necessary criteria needed to qualify for this type of certification? = A candidate must possess a certain amount of experience and pass all the exams in order to become certified. So, someone who wants to become certified not only must pass the exams but prove past work experiences as well.
- What certification exactly did you obtain? = Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) issued by the Insitute of Supply Management (ISM).
- Please describe why this certification is so important or valuable? = The Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) designation is globally the most recognized designation for professionals in supply management. An individual with a C.P.M. designation represents the broadest body of knowledge in the dynamic and critical field of supply management. With its rigorous testing and lifelong learning requirements, this certification has become the standard of achievement and excellence for the profession. The C.P.M. designation is internationally recognized as the sign of the professional supply manager. The program provides the opportunity to develop professional competence in supply management and designed for individuals working in any economic sector: private, public, or not-for-profit.
- How will this benefit Solusoft, and how will it benefit Panama or the market? = The Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) designation solidifies the capabilities of Solusoft’s Management Consulting Services offerings which cover the operational aspects of purchasing, but also includes supply functions such as strategic sourcing, supplier management, contract management & negotiations, inter-departmental relationship management and sourcing technology solutions. What this means to Panama's corporate leasdership is that a resource is available that can help them become less transactional and more strategic. We will improve processes, and identify savings opportunities. And every dollar that an organization saves goes directly to increasing profit.
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