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Maryann Karinch
The Open Group
+1 650 726 7020

The Open Group Introduces Certification for Its Architecture Framework

Customers Wanting IT Architecture Based on Open Standard Now Have Tools, Training, and Services to Ensure Certified Conformance with TOGAF 7

San Francisco, CA – February 5, 2003 – The Open Group today introduced a certification program for The Open Group Architecture Framework Technical Edition (TOGAF 7). The new certification program enables the industry’s architecture service providers and tools vendors to demonstrate how their products and services support the IT Architect using TOGAF Version 7. TOGAF 7, a detailed method and a set of supporting tools, is described in a document published by The Open Group on its public web server, and may be used freely by any organization wishing to develop an information systems architecture for use within that organization.

“IT architecture has a growing recognition as a discipline to ensure that the design and implementation of enterprise-wide IT properly addresses and supports the needs of the business,” said Allen Brown, President and CEO of The Open Group. “The Open Group’s members regard effective IT architecture as a key enabler of Boundaryless Information Flow™ — the secure, reliable and timely flow of information within and between enterprises.”

“Through the TOGAF 7 and other certification programs from The Open Group,” Brown added, “vendors provide customers with assurance that products and services conform to open standards. The potential benefits of such assurance are market growth and broader customer acceptance of products implementing open standards.”

In making the announcement during The Open Group’s week-long conference in San Francisco, John Spencer, Director of The Open Group’s Architecture Forum, stated: “TOGAF has continuously evolved since the mid-90’s, thanks to the diligent contributions of representatives of some of the world’s leading IT customer and vendor organizations. The introduction of a certification program for TOGAF enables large organizations, both private and public sector, to adopt this open method for IT architecture, and so avoid lock-in to proprietary approaches. It is an important step in introducing rigor into the procurement of tools and services for IT architecture.”

In order to ensure TOGAF 7’s consistent application and usage, The Open Group has introduced
· TOGAF Training Certification
· TOGAF Practitioner Certification
· TOGAF Tool Support Certification
· TOGAF Professional Services Certification

For more information, visit the following areas of The Open Group website:

About the Architecture Forum
http://www.opengroup.org/architecture/index.htm

About TOGAF Version 7
http://www.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf7/index7.htm

About the Certification Program for TOGAF 7
http://www.opengroup.org/certification/togaf7

About The Open Group

The Open Group, a vendor-neutral and technology-neutral consortium, has a vision of Boundaryless Information Flow achieved through global interoperability in a secure, reliable and timely manner. The Open Group’s mission is to drive the creation of Boundaryless Information Flow by working with customers to capture, understand and address current and emerging requirements, establish policies, and share best practices; working with suppliers, consortia and standards bodies to develop consensus and facilitate interoperability, to evolve and integrate specifications and open source technologies; offering a comprehensive set of services to enhance the operational efficiency of consortia; and developing and operating the industry's premier certification service and encouraging procurement of certified products.