Times are changing and with that comes also the change in approach to midPoint training. We were used to having more identity professionals who were looking for a way to get familiarized with midPoint and its configurations. These days there are more challenges. There are many newcomers without extensive knowledge of IdM and IGA who need to not only learn midPoint but also help with best practices and common situations they will encounter. Also, there are greater expectations from stakeholders to get the value faster when you are modernizing an IGA infrastructure. Sometimes even seasoned professionals appreciate having a methodology that helps them meet the expectations.
With this motivation, we had started to design training that should help engineers accelerate the path towards IGA with midPoint. There was one obstacle: different deployments are prioritizing different capabilities. So, even when the final goal is alike, the individual paths leading to it differ. Nevertheless, our observation shows that the beginning of the path is identical for most. With this in mind, we have designed midPoint learning path starting with The MidPoint Foundation Training series.
The series consists of three consequent courses: First Steps, Group Synchronization and Intermediate Configuration. The first two will guide you through connecting both source and target systems and synchronization of users, groups and even other objects. They are aimed at applicability in practical situations, dealing with exceptions and disorders in data as well as covering typical situation that arises during deployments. Moreover, the methodology the training courses are built on, prioritizes the ability to work in an imperfect environment leading to the gradual migration of management of identity objects to midPoint while cleaning the data and migrating organizational processes in the meantime. In some cases, you are starting with importing objects to midPoint even though they are still managed elsewhere, which will still enable midPoint reporting features to help with organizing and cleaning the data.
Intermediate Configuration extends the technical depth of gained knowledge. It shows the detailed configuration using XML files which unlocks the full potential of midPoint, especially for fulfilling non-typical requirements. The MidPoint Studio, plugin for IntelliJ IDEA IDE, is also covered and together with the XML files it provides a foundation for modern operation and configuration management processes. In addition to that, the Intermediate Configuration training covers fundamental midPoint concepts that weren’t used in the previous training.
All three courses in the MidPoint Foundation Series provide sufficient knowledge to successfully embark on an IGA journey. Moreover, trainees should be able to capitalize on the knowledge they have gained and can continue learning independently using documentation and other materials. That would enable them to address priorities and specific needs of their deployment at their own pace. In addition to that, we are developing advanced courses to help with additional parts of midPoint configuration and cover best practices in real deployments. Those courses won’t have mutual dependency unless it will be necessary and they will depend only on the MidPoint Foundation Training series knowledge. That will give people the option to take only the training they are interested in or take them in order which will match their priorities.
Bon voyage on the midPoint learning path!