Lutz, FL – May 31, 2023 – The Xplor International EDP® Commission Board is pleased to announce the modernization of the EDP Certification program for an improved certification journey experience! The EDP Commission has updated the program’s policies and procedures to accept applications year-round, expand certification credits to include educational and knowledge sharing, and open portfolio work example submissions to be accepted through print and digital formats.
“Xplor recognizes the need to keep up with the digital expansion of the industry,” says Betsy Keplinger, M-EDP, Xplor’s EDP Commission Chair. “Our EDP Certification journey is now more flexible and accessible, with year-round applications and a broader scope of certification credits. We believe this program is not just a professional recognition but an investment in the future of the customer communications industry.”
Becoming EDP certified is a testament to ones industry skills, knowledge, and experience earning the distinguished recognition as an industry leader by Xplor International. Go to https://xplor.org/edp-certification-program/ to learn more about Xplor’s industry certification programs.
With the latest updates to the EDP certification, EDP certification applications are now accepted year-round. EDP applicants need five years of industry experience and 100 certification credits, which have been expanded to include educational and industry knowledge-sharing. The EDP Certification Handbook has been updated with a sample EDP Certification schedule, checklist, and certification credits definition points table for candidates.
Just as our customer communications industry continues to evolve to support all delivery channels, the EDP Certification program now accepts the submission of candidates’ portfolio work examples in print and digital formats. If you are an existing EDP Candidate, contact your mentor today or email edp@xplor.org to learn more about the expanded portfolio submission options and discuss which method may be best for you.
About Xplor International
Xplor International is a not-for-profit association dedicated to the education, evolution, and success of the Customer Communications Management (CCM) industry. Our members design, produce, implement, deliver and manage high-volume, highly regulated and highly personalized communications across all channels and in all formats.
Xplor’s mission is to provide the education and resources necessary for the development of engaging customer communications.
We enhance organizational success and advance the careers of our members by providing research, analyst access, industry certification, professional development, and educator guidance. Global members benefit from our in-person annual conference, virtual events, and networking opportunities.
Xplor International has its worldwide headquarters in Lutz, Florida, chapters in the US and Canada, and active membership across the globe.
Scott Draeger, Vice President of Customer Transformation at Quadient has been a huge proponent of industry certification, he himself a designated Master Electronic Document Professional (M-EDP). Over the last several years, Quadient has invested both time and financial resources promoting industry certification within the company.
I wanted to circle back with Scott to get his thoughts on the impact within his organization and whether he feels the investment has paid dividends.
Skip: Scott, thank you for taking the time to speak about industry certification
Scott: I can always find time to speak about industry certification, because it is most important when an industry is changing. Our industry is changing rapidly, so industry certification helps companies like Quadient prove to the market that we are up to date in our knowledge.
Skip: Quadient places a great deal of value on industry certification. Quadient now has 188 designated or certified professionals. What percentage of total employees is that? Why is industry certification important to you and Quadient?
Scott: Over 20% of Quadient’s staff has an official Designation from Xplor. I believe that makes us the most certified software vendor in the industry in both volume and percentage. But, the location of the certifications also matters. Our services team in the Americas is 100% certified, which means they bring context, knowledge and passion to all of their projects.
Skip: Can you tell me a little bit about the EDP certification program?
Scott: The EDP program is about your passion and reflecting on your place within the customer communication and document industry. This is a differentiated industry certification, because it takes review of your work by your peers to earn the EDP or M-EDP designation. It is harder to earn than a purely test-based certificate, because it requires written samples that show the application of practical knowledge to real-world document projects.
Skip: What value does it present to your customers and prospects?
Scott: When we discuss implementations with our customers and prospects, we proudly feature our team’s participation in the EDP program to show that we understand context. The EDP matrix considers “Document Production Journey” and “Document Application Development Lifecycle” and values diversity of experience with technology and business needs. This means that our customers and prospects are assured that we understand the tools, technology and context of their communication projects.
Some people may not know just how much effort Xplor puts into keeping the EDP certification relevant. The matrix has been updated by a very active committee to add mobile and web channels, as well as analytics. There are more opportunities to reward skills in business acumen and knowledge sharing. The certification committee makes sure this is a current reflection on the skills and technologies needed, and the reviewers are open to learning about new technology in the submissions.
Skip: You include certification statistics in your proposals. What impact does it have? How does it differentiate Quadient from your competitors?
Scott: This is an interesting question. One of the common responses is, “what is an EDP?” We love that one, because it lets us talk about how the EDP program is a way for us to ensure development of our people. It differentiates us from competitors because it shows that we have awareness of how we can best use new approaches to solve business problems of communication. We list this in our RFP responses and proudly present this to any customers and prospects.
Skip: What has been the reaction/feedback from your employees?
Scott: My coworkers at Quadient seem to value the program. I have personally been the mentor for about eight of them in the past four years. Every year, we have a kickoff presentation to explain the program, and we usually get 50-100 people on that first call. Of course, it’s been running for four years, so we are getting the new people into the EDA program as soon as possible. The first crop of EDAs are starting to consider their EDP next year.
Skip: In closing, what message do you have for individuals and company’s regarding industry certification?
Scott: At the rate business and technology change, it is important to pursue certification for a few reasons. First, earning a certification shows your peers and managers that you are serious about the industry. Second, the process of pursuing a certification reminds you that you don’t, in fact know everything. This does wonderful things to expand your thinking, at a minor cost to your pride. Lastly, earning a certification is a potential differentiator in a job market that is rapidly changing in terms of both business models and technology. I recently earned a CCXP (Certified Customer Experience Professional) certificate from CXPA (Customer Experience Professionals Association) to augment my M-EDP to show that I have made progress in studying the CX literature.
Skip: Scott, once again, thank you for taking the time and congratulations on your success. Anyone interested in obtaining additional information about the EDP certification program can visit www.xplor.org/edp or call Xplor International at 813-949-6170.
Scott: Anytime, Skip! I recommend the program to anyone in the document and customer communication industry, because it will change your perspective. The EDP program is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on your abilities and experiences. I believe this frame of mind is essential for long term career success, because it gives you a chance to see what areas you can grow into as you steer your career. Also, it can get you a chance to shake Skip’s hand on stage at Xplor 2020!
Until next time! Take care.
Skip Henk, EDP President/CEO Xplor International
https://xplor.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Draeger-Interview-Banner-Updated.png240780Skip Henkhttp://xplor.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/logo-300x215.jpgSkip Henk2019-08-08 11:10:392022-07-09 00:14:08How can my company leverage industry certification?
An Interview with Paul Abdool, M-EDP, Student Advocate and Student for Life By: Skip Henk, EDP – CEO of Xplor International
I had a conversation with Paul recently who shared an interesting story regarding his EDP designation that I asked if he would share with everyone. A story that shows professional certification not only benefits companies and your resume, but can help you even on a personal level.
Paul is currently Vice President of Sales at Doxim and has been a part of the Xplor community for many years. Based out of Toronto, Paul began his participation as a local Canadian region board member and joined the Xplor International board a short time later. Eventually, Paul became the Chairman of the Board for a couple of terms and now once again sits on the Canadian region board.
He was the driving force behind Ryerson University becoming Xplor’s first Student Chapter. Paul has been to numerous Xplor events, both in Canada and the U.S., attained his EDP in 2004, and topped it all off with his Master EDP (M-EDP) in 2014.
Skip: Paul, thank you for taking the time today. Paul, I know you are very passionate about the EDP Program and are very proud of your M-EDP designation.
Paul: I certainly am as I can always be seen at industry events wearing my EDP pin!
Skip: When did you get your EDP and what drove you to strive for it?
Paul: I received my EDP in 2004 and my M-EDP in 2014. I was encouraged by a few Xplorers that I really respected. For the fun of it, I had a side bet with someone in 2003 that I would finish it by 2004. I won! In many ways!
Skip: What does it mean to you personally to be an EDP?
Paul: As a young Xplorer at the time, it elevated my credibility prior to getting grey hair. Those who knew about the EDP Certification instantly had positive thoughts about my knowledge. When I explained it to others and they saw my EDP pin, they understood that my knowledge about our industry was well-rounded.
Skip: Has the certification helped you professionally throughout your career?
Paul: Yes, but it is hard to separate the EDP certification from Xplor. The association’s educational forums that comes prior to earning an EDP probably outweighs the EDP certification, however, the process of acquiring the EDP and the possession of it, has been very positive for my career as well.
Skip: Share the story that you mentioned in our previous conversation?
Paul: To earn my M-EDP, I contributed 2 chapters to the Electronic Document Body of Knowledge (EDBOK) and was on the committee to finish the book and get it out. I was very proud of that work and the best part was being a published author. This was key to getting a work visa in the USA when I switched jobs to a company that did not have employees in Canada. One of the criteria that they look for is being published which my M-EDP fulfilled.
Skip: Who do you think should attain their certification?
Paul: I believe that young people in our association and people looking to advance their careers should get it. The EDA which is the stepping stone to the EDP is great but all of those EDA holders should finish the journey and get that EDP.
Skip: Thank you very much Paul for taking the time. I look forward to seeing you at Print 17 in Chicago at the keynote breakfast panel!
If anyone has any additional questions regarding the EDP Certification program, please visit www.xplor.org/edp and take a look around.
Until next time! Take care.
Skip Henk, EDP
President/CEO Xplor International
https://xplor.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Abdool-Interview-Banner.jpg3811019Skip Henkhttp://xplor.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/logo-300x215.jpgSkip Henk2017-07-19 14:43:312022-07-09 00:14:10How the EDP Certification (and the M-EDP Designation) can Help you Personally and Professionally
An Interview with Scott Draeger, M-EDP, Architect of the EDP Challenge
By: Skip Henk, EDP – CEO of Xplor International
When I was asked to interview someone who has done something significant for the EDP Program that no one else has, I immediately thought of Scott Draeger, M-EDP, Vice President of Product at GMC Software. Scott is the architect of what we today call the EDP Challenge.
To give you a little background about Scott, he has been involved with Xplor now for over 15 years. Over the years, Scott has attended Xplor conferences, spoke at events, chaired education tracks, served as a board member, served on a variety of panels/committees, and much more. His insight and forward-thinking has really helped the industry and Xplor as an association.
Skip: Scott, thank you for taking the time today to speak to me about something I know you are passionate about, the EDP Certification program.
Scott: It is my pleasure as it certainly is a passion of mine.
Skip: When did you get your EDP and what drove you to strive for it?
Scott: When I graduated from UNLV, it was a tough job market. I applied for a “Document Designer” position at National Data Services of Chicago, and I was hired by Louise Wilhelm, EDP (then EDPP). She was especially passionate about the EDP program, because she was part of the first class. She invested time into her team, showing me and my coworkers how the EDP program can turn a job into a career.
From that meeting, I had a personal goal of getting my EDP as soon as possible. I moved on to a different position in the industry, gained my five years of experience, and then went for my EDP. I asked Louise to be my mentor, and she agreed. We put together a portfolio, and I was awarded my certification on stage in Dallas in 2004. I was proud to be recognized as an EDP by a large new group of peers, and I am grateful to Louise for introducing me to this community.
Skip: What does it mean to you personally to be an EDP?
Scott: Being an EDP means that I can prove longevity and dedication in a profession that has a deep well of knowledge, a requirement to constantly learn, and a commitment to improving our craft. EDPs care about how we can improve things, why we are doing these projects, and increasing the impact of the things we to in the design, creation and delivery of electronic documents.
It also means that people often ask me, “What’s an EDP?” (M-EDP in my case.) I love telling them about Xplor, the EDP concept, and how our industry is committed to leading valuable changes that streamline the business aspects of our projects while we are bringing new features and channel to the customer experience.
Skip: Has the certification helped you professionally throughout your career?
Scott: Most often, this has helped when I meet people. Every time someone asks, “What’s an M-EDP,” I get a chance to show passion about our industry. This passion then reflects positively on the work I am doing as well as the company I represent. Many times in my career, other EDPs and I have networked to solve some difficult technical, business, or Xplor-related topics. EDPs can find and resolve difficult problems.
Skip: A few years ago, you approached me wanting to put your company through an “EDP Challenge”. You have since done it for three years and you’re looking at a fourth. How did the EDP Challenge come about and why did you push for your organization to do an EDP Challenge?
Scott: I was on the EDP Commission, and I saw that the numbers of applicants appeared low to me I know that it is a great program that has added value to my career. I realized that the numbers were low, because I wasn’t doing my part. I looked around at my colleagues and saw a bunch of great potential EDPs. Adding EDP to a business card or an email signature brings credibility to a person. Even when it brings a question, “What does EDP Mean,” it is a chance to show passion for our skills, industry and work.
Once I realized there were many great candidates with a low level of awareness, I looked around for some budget, and negotiated a way to get a large number of EDPs through the program on a single portfolio submission price. Then, it was a matter of hosting some lunchtime webinars about the designation, the process, and the program. The first one generated over 20 new EDPs from several countries.
Skip: What does the certification mean to all the people you’ve guided through the program?
Scott: Over the years, I have mentored or assisted over 50 people through the program. However, I am the worst mentor in all of Xplor’s history, as I believe I have the highest portfolio resubmission rate. I started to notice that a lot of new skills were becoming requirements for some of the projects. I noticed that a lot of “electronic documents” were moving away from projects run by Xplorers, and moving to some digital, mobile or web agencies. So, I worked a bit with the Xplor EDP Commission to get some of these new skills recognized. Today, applicants can get points for some of these web, mobile, and marketing skills.
This is usually because I am trying to bring people with new roles into the program, because our industry is changing rapidly. Some of these experiences have made earning the EDP designation more valuable for both me and the EDP (they all passed.) Some of the people I have mentored have gone on to achieve some wonderful things in this industry and have even mentored other EDPs. As Xplorers, we need to stop the erosion of communications to fragmented digital projects, so younger EDA applicants with new types of experience are of particular interest to me. Skip: What does it mean for your company to be investing in their people?
Scott: At GMC Software, two of our shared corporate values include Performance and Passion. We are looking to constantly improve our skills and make sure we are excited about what we do. We invested time in 2 EDP Challenges at GMC. This helped people see that our industry has a lot of skills.
Once they go through the process, Support people see a deeper importance of sales and marketing. Marketing people see the depth of knowledge needed to make great campaigns that speak to potential clients, and the product owners learn more about the deep requirements of integrations into larger processes. So, every applicant learns to appreciate the value of the part they contribute as well as how their part fits into the larger process. Once people see this mix, they have more pride in their work and more awareness of the value of their work in the wider world.
Skip: Who do you think should attain their certification?
Scott: I think people who go through the process will be surprised at how large the return on investment of time can be. So, I think that anyone interested in learning about themselves should attain this designation. If you are mildly interested in this as a career, get an EDA. If you’ve been here for five years, and you think you have a story to tell, go for an EDP. I promise you have three great stories to tell, which is the basic criteria for a gret EDP portfolio. I can also promise that going through the process will improve your perspective about where you fit in the industry. With some passion, this context, and an EDP, you can take your career to some amazing places based on the personal insight you gain through the process.
Skip: Thank you very much Scott for taking the time. I look forward to seeing you in Orlando from March 28-30 for Xploration 17 where your newest class from your EDP challenge will be awarded!
If anyone has any additional questions regarding the EDP Certification program, please visit www.xplor.org/edp and take a look around.
Until next time! Take care.
Skip Henk, EDP
President/CEO Xplor International
https://xplor.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Draeger-EDP-Banner.jpg334933Skip Henkhttp://xplor.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/logo-300x215.jpgSkip Henk2017-01-31 12:33:082022-07-09 00:14:11Why should my company look at EDP Industry Certification?
An Interview with OpenText Exstream, Senior Manager of Product Strategy By: Skip Henk, EDP – CEO of Xplor International
Last year Open Text Corp. acquired certain customer-communications management assets from HP Inc., an acquisition that certainly expanded and complemented the OpenText portfolio of software offerings.
Now that the dust has settled a bit, I wanted to catch up with Avi Greenfield, EDP – Senior Manager of Product Strategy, to discuss his views about digital transformation and Customer Communications from an OpenText Exstream point of view.
Avi, a 20 year industry veteran, is focused on technology solutions that build business value, focusing on customer communications and content management strategy. As I mentioned he is a Senior Manager of Product Strategy for OpenText Exstream, responsible for understanding the needs of customers for managing business-critical communications in complex and demanding environments, and driving the direction of the Exstream portfolio to meet those needs.
Avi received his Electronic Document Professional (EDP) certification in 2012.
Skip: Avi, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts today.
Avi: You are welcome; we appreciate Xplor allowing us the opportunity.
Skip: For our readers who are not familiar with OpenText Exstream, can you give us your 15 second elevator pitch?
Avi: OpenText Exstream offers the fastest, most reliable communications production engine to enable
digital transformation for companies. Exstream helps companies in a range of industries and sizes optimize customer engagement through the design and delivery of personalized, consistent, compliant, anytime, anywhere communications for better customer experiences across all channels. The latest version includes capabilities that enable users to create responsive, mobile-ready content; generate robust, interactive charts; perform controlled in-context editing; and better handle PDFs.
Skip: There is a lot in the media now about “digital transformation” and “digital business/digital economy” – what does that mean to OpenText and why is it important?
Avi: With 50% of the workforce expected to be made up of those who were “born digital” by 2020, digital communications are becoming more and more important and many companies are looking to move to a digital business model. A recent Gartner report states that 89% of companies will compete on customer experience and 90% of CEOs place CX as one of their top three priorities, so companies will need to be able to provide exceptional customer experiences across multiple channels to stay competitive in the future.
The Millennial generation is now larger than the Baby Boomers and they have more than one trillion dollars in purchasing power. Companies need to adapt their customer communications to appeal to this highly digital and technologically advanced group. Digital transformation of your business will be critical and is much more than being able to send email or PDFs because these consumers want much more engaging experiences and access to their brands 24/7. They have the highest adoption and usage of mobile devices of any generation, and they navigate seamlessly between devices and channels, which means they expect relevant and consistent content, experiences and branding across all channels.
Skip: What is the impact of digital transformation on CCM?
Avi: We see it driving a lot of demand for modern CCM capabilities. Digital transformation means rethinking business processes to meet consumer demand for frictionless multichannel interactions. This frequently means updating or replacing core systems of record and systems and engagement like CRM, billing, customer care, and claims for example. Most organizations already have multiple systems that are used to produce and deliver traditional and digital communications. So when they update those core systems, it’s a great time to consider whether their current CCM tools and processes are able to serve all of their enterprise needs for engaging customers in a way puts them at the center and gives them the freedom to engage using the channels and devices of their choice. We see this leading to increased investment in enterprise-grade CCM tools and also increased focus and organizational resources dedicated to producing and delivering timely, relevant, compliant communications.
Skip: Given these changes, and a shift to digital documents and communications, what steps can people take right now to take advantage of this?
Avi: In the digital age, it is critical for your company to move from traditional paper-based documents to engaging conversations across all channels. By delivering communications in the channels preferred by your customers and designing with digital in mind, you can turn your communications into a differentiator.
Your communications should use clear and concise language and be compliant, accurate, and controlled. All this requires synchronizing the right data with CCM software and the business processes that intersect with customer touchpoints.
Communications—whether traditional or digital—are the primary customer touchpoint for most organizations. The quality, timeliness, and accuracy of those communications have a huge impact on the consumer’s perception of your company. And the quality of a customer’s experience is the single greatest predictor of whether they will return and promote your company or defect to a competitor and malign it.
The design of any communication is important and can either drive desired behaviors, additional revenue or loyalty if done well. If not, it can undermine customer experience and create expensive call center inquiries. As far as best practices, five key things to consider when designing any communication are:
Design for understanding – What do you want recipients to understand?
Design to drive action – What do you want recipients to do or not do?
Design for digital first, but don’t neglect traditional channels – Do recipients have a seamless cross-channel experience?
Design to align business user profile with the business process – How do you involve business users? Do they own content and messages? Can they help personalize communications for the front office?
Design customer-centric communications from the outside-in – What do you do to modernize your processes and systems of interaction to deliver on consumer expectations for seamless cross-channel interactions?
Skip: Those are five great points. Do you believe the investment in CCM worth it?
Avi: Not only is it worth it, but it is essential to positive business outcomes. Providing a better customer experience is shown to increase loyalty and lifetime customer value and can be a key source of competitive differentiation. Delivering interactions that are clear, timely, and easy to understand leads to higher customer satisfaction.
So there are many pressures and expectations on customer communications. Companies must respond quickly to changing markets and circumstances, while providing consistent, high-quality communications in the recipient’s language and preferred delivery channel.
There is also a critical need to maintain compliance and control over communications for legal and regulatory reasons. At the same time, business users are demanding more control over the content and faster time to market. And of course operational requirements demand timely, optimized output at the lowest possible cost. So having an enterprise CCM platform with the right organizational commitment and resources dedicated to it is essential to increasing profitability, improving customer experience, and mitigating risk.
Skip: Avi, I once again thank you for taking the time to speak with me today and sharing your insights. Anyone who would like more information can contact OpenText here.
About OpenText Exstream Exstream is a multichannel customer communication management (CCM) solution that is proven to improve the customer experience and make customer interactions more profitable. It allows business users to create the communications for connected customer journeys using the delivery formats and channels customers prefer – including email, web and mobile.
This software solution powers the transformation of all of your data—whatever file sources, formats, and systems you use—into relevant and insightful customer communications. With on-premise and cloud deployment options, Exstream is scalable to fit the needs of any department or complex enterprise environment. Design and deliver consistent, personalized, compliant, anytime, anywhere communications with Exstream.
Skip Henk, EDP President/CEO
Xplor International
https://xplor.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/OpenText-Exstream-Banner.jpg302853Skip Henkhttp://xplor.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/logo-300x215.jpgSkip Henk2017-01-17 10:54:372022-07-09 00:14:11OpenText Exstream, Digital Transformation and Customer Communications Management
Xplor President/CEO Interview with Franklin Friedmann, 20 Year EDP July 6, 2016
Continuing from my most recent interview, Benefits to Becoming EDP Certified, I recently caught up with Franklin Friedmann who will be celebrating his 20th year as an EDP this year to discuss what the EDP certification means to him.
Skip: Franklin, thank you for taking the time to meet with me!
Franklin: A pleasure.
Skip: When did you get your EDP and what drove you to strive for it?
Franklin: My manager had chosen me to be the first person a Certified Printing specialist with the company. However, recognizing that an EDP(P) had more currency with clients, I told him I would do the Xplor initiative first.
Skip: You were a part of the 1996 class, the last year of EDPP Program before they dropped a ‘P’ to better accommodate of digital communication technologies. What have you noticed about this ever-changing industry since?
Franklin: The technology accelerates, though EDP does and should continue to stand for professionalism while content may change.
Skip: What does it mean to you personally to be an EDP?
Franklin: It represents a level of attainment, even as the industry shifts to a wider set of values. It therefore is a benchmark.
Skip: Has the certification helped you professionally throughout your career?
Franklin: Clients in the transactional space may recognize the credentials. You must prove yourself regardless. My sphere of operation is as a consultant.
Skip: Who do you think should attain their certification?
Franklin: It depends on your current and planned career. EDP is a stepping stone; it may be useful in your organization as a way to measure your knowledge base. It is one of the steps that should also help if you regularly work with clients outside, not only inside your organization.
Thank you again Franklin for taking the time. If anyone has any additional questions regarding the EDP Certification program, please visit www.xplor.org/edp.
Until next time! Take care.
Skip Henk, EDP
President/CEO Xplor International
https://xplor.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Friedmann-EDP.jpg318792Skip Henkhttp://xplor.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/logo-300x215.jpgSkip Henk2016-07-06 15:57:402023-12-13 15:45:36What EDP Means to Me
Xplor President/CEO Interview with Cheryl Simerson, EDP, 2016 EDP Commission Chair June 16, 2016
Most everyone in the industry is familiar with continuing education and professional certifications. However, many may not be aware of the Electronic Document Professional (EDP) certification that is available to all professionals in the electronic document and customer communications industry.
The EDP Program: Launched in 1989 as the Electronic Document Printing Professional (EDPP) program was created to recognize those in the industry as subject matter experts in the area of digital print. Regulated by the EDPP Commission, the first class in 1990 consisted of eleven individuals receiving their EDPP certification. As the industry evolved and new technologies became part of the landscape the EDPP commission dropped the reference to ‘Printing’ in 1997 to accommodate other digital communication technologies.
The EDP program is sponsored and maintained by Xplor International which oversees the EDP Commission, however you do not need to be a member of Xplor International for certification or re-certification
I had the chance to speak with Cheryl Simerson, EDP, our new 2016 EDP Commission Chair to discuss her thoughts on EDP certification, as well as, where she would like to take the EDP Program over the next year.
Skip: Cheryl, thank you for taking the time to meet with me and share your views regarding the EDP Program.
Cheryl: No problem! It is my pleasure.
Skip: So give me your elevator pitch. What or who is an EDP?
Cheryl: An EDP is someone who has a considerable depth of knowledge and experience in the digital document and customer communications industry and actively working in the industry for a minimum of five years.
Skip: When did you get your EDP and what drove you to strive for it?
Cheryl: I received my EDP certification in 1995 and have gone on to recertify every 5 years over the past 20 years.
I originally set the goal for myself to obtain my certification due to not having a college degree and wanted to prove to myself and my peers that although I did not have a degree, I was an expert in the digital printing industry. At that time, a lot of us obtained our knowledge through hands on experience and never took the time out of our work schedules to go back to school to obtain a degree but instead, attended individual vendor educational courses and conferences.
Skip: What does it mean to you personally to be an EDP?
Cheryl: To be one of a very elite group of electronic document professionals is very special to me and I look forward to our yearly onsite networking event with my peers who have also achieved this certification level during the Xplor International global conference.
Skip: Has the certification helped you professionally throughout your career?
Cheryl: When I first started working on my EDP portfolio and work examples, as I mentioned above, I did it as an accomplishment for myself in order to achieve this personal goal. At that time, I had already been with my company for many years so I didn’t benefit immediately from obtaining my certification. When I finally went out seeking another job opportunity, I discovered my certification brought attention to being a Subject Matter Expert (SME) which proved to bring in a higher salary.
Skip: Who do you think should attain their certification?
Cheryl: Anyone interested in expanding their career in the industry should apply! The EDP Certification Handbook can be found on the EDP site.
Skip: As the new EDP Commission Chair, do you have any goals you’d like to help the EDP Program achieve?
Cheryl: One of my goals as this year’s Commissioner is to educate individuals in our industry regarding the program. I want to reach out beyond Xplor International members but to the industry as a whole. The first step is a series of interviews talking about the impact EDP certification in E-Document News.
Another area is to reach out to our colleges and universities regarding certification and I look forward to working with Xplor International and the board of directors to market the program. Not only do I want to promote the EDP Certification Program but also our other two designations, Electronic Document Associate (EDA) and Master Electronic Document Professional (M-EDP).
Skip: Thank you again Cheryl for taking the time.
If anyone has any additional questions regarding the EDP Certification program, please visit the EDP page or you can contact Cheryl directly at Cheryl.simerson@yahoo.com.
Until Next interview! Take care.
Skip Henk, EDP
President/CEO Xplor International
https://xplor.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/EDP-CS-1.jpg363989Skip Henkhttp://xplor.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/logo-300x215.jpgSkip Henk2016-06-16 16:20:132023-12-13 15:46:03Benefits to Becoming EDP Certified
Lutz, FL — April 7, 2016: Xplor International, the worldwide electronic document systems association, today announced that over 135 people earned their Electronic Document Professional (EDP) certification or Electronic Document Associate (EDA) designation in 2015.
Tweet this: Over 135 EDPs and EDAs recognized at Xploration® 16 Awards Ceremony, Sponsored by @EclipseDoc http://bit.ly/1PIi0VE #Xplor16
The large number of certified and designated individuals is due in large part to GMC Software, who took the EDP Challenge and now has over 20% of their staff with an EDA or EDP. They have since committed to participate once again for 2016.
EDP certification, launched by Xplor International over 25 years ago, is an industry certification awarded to qualified individuals who have demonstrated broad knowledge of, and experience in digital communication, whether in print, over internal networks or online-from document creation to distribution.
The EDA designation was introduced in 2009 as an entry-level designation that serves as a stepping-stone towards the EDP certification. It acknowledges a commitment to learning and upholding the EDP Program’s Code of Ethics.
The EDP program is internationally recognized and specifies a high standard of ethics, knowledge, and industry experience for those professionals achieving certification in the field of electronic document systems. It serves as a catalyst for quality; professionals improve the industry through individual growth, knowledge sharing and mentoring others.
About Xplor International Xplor International is a worldwide, not-for-profit professional association that consists of thousands of users and suppliers of the products and services that create, modify, and deliver customized information using a wide variety of document technologies. The association provides educational products and programs for its members and the industry at large through conferences, meetings and annual events. Xplor International has its worldwide headquarters in Lutz, Florida with affiliated offices around the world. Further information is available at www.xplor.org.
Xplor International Media Contact: Chad Henk
Marketing Manager
+1-813-949-6171 Chad@xplor.org
https://xplor.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Xplor_CAREER_EDP-01.jpg200800Skip Henkhttp://xplor.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/logo-300x215.jpgSkip Henk2016-04-07 14:30:392022-07-09 00:14:12EDP Program Certified/Designated Over 135 People in 2015
Note: At Xploration®14 Xplor International began a roll out of the first Electronic Document Body of Knowledge by providing conference attendees a limited edition of the document with the official First Edition released at the 2014 Graph Expo event.
Due to the significance of the publication and the impact on the industry as a whole Xplor has decided to provide a series of articles outlining what the EDBOK is, the impact it can have within your company as well as on one’s career.
Publication of A Guide to the Electronic Document Body of Knowledge (EDBOK), First Edition, represents a significant achievement for the electronic document systems industry. The industry as we know it today has changed dramatically from the one we understood 35 years ago. Innovations in technology, hardware, software, and people skills have resulted in the complexity of digital documents and data-driven communications that we utilize today.
The EDBOK represents the first compilation of the knowledge and expertise required to create and develop digital communications in today’s world – bills, statements, insurance policies, regulatory documentation, financial documents, and marketing communications. Never before has the collective knowledge of our industry been compiled into a single resource document, from the history of technology and processes to the current state of the industry.
The EDBOK serves as a brilliant resource for staff at every level within a company. For those new to the industry, it is a roadmap of the technologies and processes required to create digital communications. For more experienced staff, it is a reference source for continued development and education.
Topics covered in the EDBOK explain the technologies and processes using a standard vocabulary to describe the day-to-day production workflow and the long-term document systems development lifecycle. All forms of digital communication are created using these production job steps, from data to doorstep. The development processes covering the entire life of a document include business requirements, business/technical analysis, architecture, design, development, testing, production, and maintenance.
For those who want to pursue designation under the EDP (Electronic Document Professional®) program, EDBOK represents the body of knowledge categories required for peer review and assessment. Perusing the varied topics will help candidates determine how their expertise and knowledge map against the criteria for certification. Staff who have two years of industry experience may apply for the EDA (Electronic Document Associate) designation while those with five or more years experience may apply for EDP certification.
The EDBOK embodies the collation of knowledge of the digital communications industry at a point in time and will prove to be an extremely valuable resource for anyone in this industry. As a living document, updates to reflect further innovations in technology and processes will be added to provide the most up-to-date industry guide.
For more information on the Electronic Document Body of Knowledge please visit: www.edbok.org or call Xplor International at +1 813-949-6170.
https://xplor.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/EDBOK-banner.jpg3471023Skip Henkhttp://xplor.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/logo-300x215.jpgSkip Henk2015-08-24 16:13:352022-07-09 00:14:15Why is the EDBOK important to our industry? By Roberta McKee-Jackson
Submitted by Skip Henk, EDP, President/CEO of Xplor International March 17, 2015
When you read the title, what was the first thought that came to your mind? I am hoping some of you were asking yourselves “What is he talking about? What is a BOK?” That was my dilemma.
Although I have been active and involved in the industry for many years, I did not know what a BOK was or why it was important to our members and the industry in general.
According to our friends at Wikipedia:
a body of knowledge (BOK) is the complete set of concepts, terms and activities that make up a professional domain, as defined by the relevant learned society or professional association.
Making It Relevant I must admit I was a bit slow to come around to the whole idea of having a BOK for the association. The idea that a document could or would contain the “complete set of concepts, terms and activities” for our industry was difficult to conceive. Looking at the “complete document lifecycle” and all of the inherent components, the different technologies, methodologies and disciplines that put end to end defines our industry would be a monumental task.
Climbing The Mountain At Xploration® 13, a group of Xplor EDP members got together and determined that it was time our industry had a Body of Knowledge for the Electronic Document Industry. The “Limited Edition” was presented at Xploration® 14 with the first edition being published and released last year at Graph Expo. In all, almost forty people contributed in one way or another to the creation and delivery of our industry BOK. The scope of the book is impressive and includes:
Document Development Lifecycle, requirements gathering, business analysis, technical analysis, stakeholder agreement, architecture, information design, project design, development, critical communications recovery(disaster recovery), test and QA, production launch, maintenance
Document Production Workflow, data, data objects, composition, print streams, transformations, print management, electronic presentation, web and mobile delivery, archiving, print technology, inserting technology, delivery process.
The end product has become the basis for our industries knowledge and the platform that now drives Xplor’s educational mission.
Who Cares? You Should. Anyone in our industry, no matter what role you play, will benefit from reading it. If you are in a technical or operations role, this book pulls it all together, filling in the blanks and expanding your overall understanding of the electronic document industry. If you are in sales or marketing, it will give you an end to end view of the industry, the various components and the knowledge will certainly differentiate you from your peers.
Special thanks to all those responsible for bringing this ground breaking document to fruition.
The project team: Matt Riley edp, Project Chair, Neil Merchant m-edp, Project Manager, Pat McGrew m-edp, Editor, Scott Baker, Roberta McKee-Jackson edp, Chad Henk eda
The technology contributors: Paul Abdool edp, William Broddy m-edp , Franklin Campbell edp, Tim Ciceran, Brett Dashwood edp, Christine Durfee, Carol Fiore, Franklin Friedmann edp, Neal Gottsacker , Chris Halicki edp, Cheryl Kay, Kevin Lantaff edp, Robert Linsky, Wendy MacMillan m-edp, William McCalpin m-edp, Linda McDaniel edp, Roberta McKee-Jackson edp, Neil Merchant m-edp, Denise Miano edp, Tim Nelms, Stephen Poe edp, Rebecca Rodgers m-edp, Kevin Tondreau edp
So, Do You Wanna BOK? For more information on the Electronic Document Body of Knowledge (EDBOK) visit the EDBOK information page under Career Development.
Skip Henk, EDP
President/CEO
Xplor International
https://xplor.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Xplor_Edbok_.jpg212800Skip Henkhttp://xplor.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/logo-300x215.jpgSkip Henk2015-03-17 14:36:062023-12-13 15:50:39Do You Wanna BOK?
Lutz, FL – May 31, 2023 – The Xplor International EDP® Commission Board is pleased to announce the modernization of the EDP Certification program for an improved certification journey experience! The EDP Commission has updated the program’s policies and procedures to accept applications year-round, expand certification credits to include educational and knowledge sharing, and open portfolio work example submissions to be accepted through print and digital formats.
Making It Relevant
