IBM C0002604 is a certification that focuses on the deployment, full lifecycle implementation, and cross-system integration of enterprise-level API management platforms.

1. Introduction to the IBM C0002604 certification

IBM Certified Solution Implementer - API Connect v10.0.3 (C0002604) is a globally authoritative enterprise level API full lifecycle management professional certification launched by IBM, and is part of the core implementation sequence of the IBM Integration Certification Program.

The IBM C0002604 certification focuses on verifying the deployment configuration, API full process implementation, cross system integration, security control, and operation monitoring capabilities of IBM API Connect v10.0.3 for practitioners, aiming to cultivate professional technical talents who can independently lead the implementation of enterprise level API Connect platforms and the construction of API ecosystems.

Against the backdrop of accelerated penetration of the API economy and a surge in demand for digital collaboration in enterprises, IBM API Connect v10.0.3, as the "core carrier of API governance," undertakes the core responsibilities of interconnecting internal and external systems, opening up data value, and encapsulating business capabilities.

The core positioning of C0002604 certification is to cultivate "experts in the full process implementation and optimization of IBM API Connect v10.0.3 platform", not just technical personnel who master basic API operations, but those who can deeply understand the core architecture of API Connect v10.0.3, proficiently complete the full lifecycle implementation from platform deployment to API design, release, and operation, and solve complex problems such as API compatibility, high concurrency access, cross system integration, and security protection.

Simultaneously possessing the integration capability of API Connect with IBM ecosystem and third-party systems, it becomes the core technical support for the stable operation of enterprise API ecosystem and efficient implementation of business collaboration.

2. The Competitive Edge of IBM C0002604 Certification

C0002604 is an officially recognized API Connect v10.0.3 core implementation qualification by IBM, with a high degree of recognition in the IBM ecosystem API project. This certification is the core indicator that distinguishes between "basic API operations" and "professional level implementation capabilities." When companies recruit API implementation engineers, API operation and maintenance experts, integration engineers, and other positions, it is often listed as a "priority condition," which can significantly enhance the competitiveness of holders in the job market.

With the continuous development of API economy, the demand for professional API implementation talents in enterprises has surged. The average monthly salary of C0002604 certificate holders is 30% -45% higher than that of non certified API related personnel. The certificate holder has obvious advantages in core project role allocation, career promotion, and salary negotiation, becoming the core technical backbone of the enterprise API ecosystem construction, and greatly expanding their career development space.

API Connect is the core platform for enterprise level complex API projects, and C0002604 certification is a necessary qualification for undertaking high-end projects such as financial industry API open platform construction, retail omnichannel API collaboration, government data sharing API deployment, and large-scale enterprise API governance system construction. In industries with high requirements for API stability, security, and scalability, certificate holders can prioritize participating in the planning and implementation of core projects, accumulate high-value industry API implementation experience and project cases, and further consolidate their professional competitiveness.

The certification covers the core implementation skills of API Connect v10.0.3, best practices throughout the API lifecycle, and industry solutions, proving the ability to lead the implementation of enterprise level API Connect platforms. Holders can join the IBM Developer Community to access the latest technical documentation and product roadmap for API Connect; prioritize participation in IBM's offline technology summit and API practical workshops, connect with high-end API project resources and technical experts within the IBM ecosystem, and continuously improve professional capabilities.

After passing C0002604, holders can advance to IBM Certified Expert - API Connect or switch to API architecture design positions, with a clear career development path.

3. Core Components of the IBM C0002604 Certification

The IBM API Connect v10.0.3 certification exam aims to systematically validate your architecture, deployment, and governance capabilities on an enterprise level API lifecycle management platform.

The exam strictly follows the official outline of v10.0.3, starting with API Connect v10.0.3 infrastructure and deployment. The core is to understand its cloud native architecture that separates management, data, and control planes, and master diverse deployment skills from local to containerization (K8s/Docker).

API design and development, API publishing, and lifecycle management constitute the core process capabilities, requiring you to not only be proficient in designing RESTful and GraphQL APIs based on OpenAPI 3.1 specifications, but also proficient in the full process operation of cross environment publishing, version control, and subscription management.

The cross system integration and linkage module focuses on practical applications, examining the deep integration capabilities of API Connect with ecosystem products such as IBM DataSower and MQ, as well as third-party systems. Monitoring, analysis, and troubleshooting ensure that you can establish an observability system and respond quickly to issues.

Finally, enterprise level best practices and compliance guide you to establish a standardized API governance framework to meet compliance requirements such as GDPR and ISO 2.0.

4. What are the requirements to be an IBM Certified Solution Implementer—API Connect v10.0.3?

(1) Qualification prerequisites:

There is no mandatory pre-certification requirement for IBM C0002604, but we recommend that you have obtained IBM Certified Associate - Integration or other basic API integration related certifications. Have 1-2 years of experience in API management platform implementation, API development or system integration, and have participated in at least 1 enterprise level API project.

In addition, you also need to be familiar with RESTful API design specifications, OpenAPI standards, and HTTP/HTTPS protocols; Understand the basics of network security, database operations, and commonly used integration protocols; master JSON/XML data format and data conversion logic.

IBM officially recommends that you complete the designated training courses or accumulate practical experience in API Connect v10.0.3 through IBM's official practice laboratory. 

(2) Training and examinations:

The IBM C0002604 exam consists of approximately 65-75 questions, including multiple-choice questions, situational analysis questions, and configuration practice questions. The exam lasts for 120 minutes. Full score of 1000 points, reaching 700 points or above to pass.

The exam fee is approximately $200 globally, with slight differences in tax fees in different regions. 

(3) Qualification maintenance:

The IBM C0002604 certificate is valid for 3 years; the renewal requirement is that you must pass the IBM API Connect v10.0.3 recertification exam or automatically renew your IBM Integration Expert certification at a higher level before the expiration of the validity period; after renewal, the validity period of the certificate will be recalculated for 3 years.

5. Comparable Certifications to IBM C0002604 Certification

• MuleSoft Certified Developer – API Design
• Google Professional Cloud API Engineer
• Amazon AWS Certified API Developer – Associate