SM: 

What Kind of skill set you expect from an Actuate developer to create complex and creative reports in actuate?

A1 Sheen:

The most important thing is he or she should be skillful with the subject and should have affinity for the subject. Then comes creativity and ability to implement innovative ideas – Communication skills are the most important skill set for a report developer.

This is from general perspective; if I speak from Actuate perspective he or she should be sound in Actuate basics. Another Important thing necessary for writing complex reports is you have to be well versed in writing queries, should possess sound knowledge in PL/SQL. If you possess knowledge in functions and triggers you will be able to achieve additional flexibilty while doing complex reports.

SM: 

Actuate Basic Language is derived from Visual Basic, Will it be easy for Visual Basic professional to learn Actuate or Is it easy for Java professional?

A1 Sheen:

Arguably Visual Basic Programmer will find comfortable and homely in Actuate environment. Since Actuate basic is made using visual basic, the programming code we write in Actuate has got a lot of resemblance with Visual Basic Coding.
From my perspective as I have done a lot of applications using Visual Basic, Actuate Reporting Environment is very much similar to Visual Basic’s.

Both are GUI’s with design Interface and programming Interface. In design Interface of both environments we can use a lot of tools for design. In programming Interface of both environments we can have number of methods or functions in which we can write programs to get desired result and we are using event driven methods or functions for writing codes in both environments.

But a Java professional may find an entirely differently environment in Actuate Reporting. The design environment of actuate will be a new experience for him or she. But it won’t take long for him or her to learn and get use to Actuate reporting environment. Java developer will do better at the server side programming and portal customizations..

SM:

Based on current training, after attending the training program, Can a trainee write complex reports?

A1 Sheen:

Yes. From my experience as a trainer and as I have trained multiple batches I can say a trainee can easily write complex reports with different parameter. Only thing he needs is ability to write good queries to extract the desired result and ability to do creative report design. Let me say my experience I have learned Actuate doing Actuate Basic level and advanced level exercises. I have developed around 15 complex reports using that experience. I am using these my own developed reports as training material. I am sure that good training program can enable one or prepare one to a good actuate developer.

SM:

What is A.C.P?

A1 Sheen: 

It is a certification - Actuate Certified Prefessional. Actuate Corporation developed the Certified Professional Program to establish standards and credentials to insure that implementation professionals have the most commonly needed knowledge and skills to successfully develop, enhance and maintain Actuate applications of moderate complexity. By participating in Actuate University's training courses and passing the rigorous examination, Actuate Certified Professionals demonstrate these skills.

All certifications are version-specific to major Actuate product releases. In addition to attending Actuate Univeristy courses, individuals must pass a proctored, online examination that can be taken at test centers worldwide. The current certification is for Actuate Release 7.

SM:

Do we need A.C.P to be good Actuate Prefessional?

A1 Sheen:

I know many smart Actuate prefessionals with A.C.P. An ACP should have thorough knowledge in all areas of Actuate. To be good Actuate prefessional one should master Actuate Basic, Actuate e.Report Designer Professional 7,6, 5& Active Portal 6.0, Management Console 6.0, Report Server 6.0, Actuate Server V7/V6 and in additional should possess good real time experience. A.C.P is a program, which has certain standards, and credentials to ensure that professionals possess most commonly needed knowledge and skills to develop, enhance and maintain complex Actuate applications. In other words, I can say A.C.P is a real measure of your quality level for enterprise environment. 

SM: 

Is it Easy to get Actuate Certification (A.C.P)?

A1 Sheen:

I can say it is not very tough to get Actuate Certification. One should have thorough knowledge in all areas of Actuate and should posses sound real time experience. In Other words a person with 2 or 3-project experience in his belt can easily get through A.C.P. For a guy with out much experience needs a lot of hard work and commitment to get A.C.P. I think Actuate’s training program can make any one ready for A.C.P Exam.