CompTIA Press Room

The CompTIA Corporate Backgrounder

History
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) was created in 1982 as the Association of Better Computer Dealers, Inc.(ABCD) by representatives of five microcomputer dealerships. Over the course of a decade, ABCD laid the groundwork for many of CompTIA’s initiatives and member benefits.

ABCD later changed its name to the Computing Technology Industry Association. The new name clearly reflected the Association's evolving role in the computer industry and in the U.S. business landscape at large. The nineties were a period of extensive growth for the Association as it broadened the scope of its activities to address the needs of the ever-expanding computer industry. Its initiatives increased to include the networking, UNIX, imaging, mobile computing and multimedia arenas. In an effort to monitor and take positions on Public Policy issues, the Association added a full-time Director of Public Policy.

The same year CompTIA changed its name, the association developed and implemented the A+ Certification Program; the first industry-wide test aimed at certifying service technicians on a basic competency level. The program was received with overwhelming support and has enjoyed many successes over the years. CompTIA certification has grown rapidly since then, introducing eleven additional CompTIA certifications, including Network+, CDIA+, i-Net+, Server+, Linux+, Project+,
e-Biz+, CTT+, HTI+ (Home Technology Integrator), Security+ and RFID+.

CompTIA expanded again in 2000 when the Association opened several international offices in South Africa, London, The Netherlands and Canada. CompTIA’s locations now include Amsterdam, Beijing, Brussels, Dubai, Düsseldorf, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto and Washington, D.C. This presence allows CompTIA to influence public policy legislation and support industry growth on a global level.

Today CompTIA is the leading global IT trade association with more than 20,000 members in 102 countries. CompTIA advances industry growth by promoting industry standards, growing professional IT expertise, providing IT skills education, and developing relevant business solutions.

Programs and Initiatives

Skills Development
Provides the IT industry with the information, tools and resources necessary for success in the recruitment, training, certification and retention of IT workers worldwide. Skills Development leads a number of skills and training intiatives including the National IT Apprenticeship System (NITAS), CompTIA Tech Career Compass (TCC) and the E2C (Education to Careers) Program. It also manages CompTIA's twelve vendor-neutral certifications including CompTIA A+, Network+, CDIA+,
i-Net+, Server+, Linux+, Project+, e-Biz+, CTT+, HTI+ (Home Technology Integrator), Security+ and RFID+.

Education and Training
Develops industry standards in IT learning and provides tools and resources to meet the needs of IT educators and learning professionals. This group offers classes to help IT industry companies build business models that make sense for long-term success. Education and Training also manages the Technology Learning Group (TLG), and the CompTIA Authorized Quality Curriculum (CAQC) and CompTIA Learning Alliance (CLA) programs.

Convergence Section
Promotes growth and development in the convergent technologies industry through the adoption of best practices, facilitated networking opportunities, commitment to member education, interoperability and standards.

Electronic Commerce Group
Establishes and promotes collaboratively-defined business and technology standards for business transactions among supply chain partners in the computing industry, and promotes alliances and strategic partnering.

Marketing and Communications
Communicates member and industry best practices and research through the public and members-only Web sites, online cybercasts and newsletters.

Public Policy
Protects and advances the interests of the information and communications technology industries before foreign governments, federal and state legislatures and agencies, including regulators. CompTIA’s public policy staff is located in Washington, D.C. and Brussels, with advocacy capabilities in Hong Kong and Sao Paulo.

Services
Provides a formal structure and method for IT service executives to meet, communicate, resolve issues and establish standards for the IT services and support industry.

Software Services Group (SSG)
Represents a broad community of service providers, software companies and vendors. SSG is a global advocacy group for companies participating in the development, operations and delivery of IT services.