The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) a new certification in convergence technology.

CompTIA Convergence+ certification is designed to help information technology (IT) and communications professionals ensure that they are qualified to support and maintain convergent systems such as voice-over-IP (VoIP) telephony, unified messaging and web conferencing.

It validates knowledge and skill in the area of communications technologies where data, voice, video, and broadcast multimedia technologies are combined in a single IP-based delivery system.

“CompTIA Convergence+ was developed at the urging of the convergence industry,” said John Venator, president and chief executive officer, CompTIA. “This certification fills a void and a need for an industry-accepted credential that validates foundation-level skills for IT and communications professionals working with these emerging technologies.”

Nearly one-third of the more than 350 small and medium-sized businesses surveyed by CompTIA said they intend to buy new phone systems or make significant new investment in their current phone systems in the next 12 months.