Okay, so you’ve installed this fabulous product, started monitoring entities, and now you have all this data. Now what? How do you get your arms around the metrics? How do you customize the user experience so everyone has access to what they need, when they need it, without having to sort through noise? What do you do about these alerts that are firing when you don’t want them to? What about scaling and expanding the reach of your SolarWinds monitoring once you've ironed out everything else?
Never fear; SolarWinds Academy
is here. Did you know we were here? Do you know who we are? Allow me to introduce our team.
SolarWinds Academy is a global team of technical trainers with extensive product expertise, combined with the ability to effectively relate that experience to help you adapt your SolarWinds products to the unique needs of your team and environment. Our training and proficiency cover all levels of experience, from the brand-new customer looking to configure, adapt, and successfully implement their products to the more advanced user aiming to properly scale and expand the scope of monitoring across their environment. Training is offered on demand, allowing you to consume the content at your own pace, and is instructor-led, so you can interact with Academy trainers and your peers.
By now, you must be thinking, “Great! How do I access this training?”
First, you must have access to the Customer Portal. If you own any SolarWinds product with a current license, you automatically have access to the Customer Portal. This is the same place where you manage your licenses and other aspects of your account.
Have you ever noticed the Education & Training menu bar?
Here, you will find the links to Virtual Classrooms and Product Trainers. If you’re curious about who we are and what products we specialize in, click Product Trainers to view our bios.
Now, let’s go back to Virtual Classrooms. Here you can filter for On Demand or Live Classes.
Once a quarter, we offer select classes in our library in a live, interactive, instructor-led format that allows you to ask questions and get answers not only from the instructor but also from your peers in the class. If you want to take a class in that format, you will be able to sign up for one when the schedule is posted. The Calendar: Live Classes link on the Virtual Classrooms page will help you find the right classes and dates.
Whether you take a specific class in a live or on-demand format, the content is the same.
Apart from the instructor-led content we offer, there is a wealth of on-demand content in various formats, ranging from long-form classes broken into chapters to Quick Bytes, which are short “how-to” videos covering popular topics and configurations.
Now you may be saying, “This is great, but there’s so much here. Where do I start?” Well, we have a resource for that, too. The Learning Path document attached to this blog post will give you some clarity on what classes to take and in what order, depending on the products you have. Sort of like a “choose your own adventure” book. Yes, I’m old enough to remember those. The document is geared toward new or relatively new users, but for those of you who are more advanced, don't worry. The more advanced classes are noted, and who knows? You may come across a class you didn’t know existed but might find useful. For instance, did you know we offer a Diagnostics & Troubleshooting course?
Finally, each product trainer offers Office Hours sessions, where you can chat directly with the trainer to discuss your unique needs. Maybe you took a class and said, “Wow, these Custom Properties are really cool, but I’m having a little bit of a problem adapting them to my specific needs.” Office Hours is a great place to get help from one of our trainers on applying the knowledge you have to further optimize your installation. These sessions are open forums; there is no organized training content, so be sure to come prepared with your questions.
You can sign up for Office Hours from the Product Trainers page.
Find the trainer who specializes in your product and is in a friendly time zone, and sign up for the next session that works for you.
I hope this post and the attached document are helpful to you as you implement, customize, and manage your SolarWinds products to effectively monitor your environment. Please feel free to utilize our little corner on THWACK® to ask questions about training or configuring your software. The THWACK community is especially active, so you’ll get good ideas not only from Academy trainers but from your fellow THWACKsters as well.
Happy learning!
