Essential Qualifications for AEM Architects

Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) is a platform capable of many things, so it only makes sense that harnessing its abilities takes some dedicated time and effort. That means you’ll need an understanding of what AEM is, what skills and qualifications someone needs to use it, and what such a person can do with it.

To aid you with the process of better understanding the tool, we’ve put together this guide on the essential qualifications. TriCom is here to help you make your next IT hire or career move. Get started today and contact us online. In the meantime, keep reading to learn what you need to know about AEM architecture.

What Is Adobe Experience Manager?

In short, Adobe Experience Manager is a multichannel content management system (CMS). Think of it as a hub where you can manage assets, create and store digital forms, and build your online presence. AEM is an umbrella that encapsulates other products, such as:

• Adobe Experience Manager Sites: This is a CMS that allows users to create and manage content across various online channels for desktop, mobile, and in-app experiences.
• Adobe Experience Manager Assets: This digital asset management (DAM) tool incorporates automation to source and deliver numerous assets to your user base.
• Adobe Learning Manager: This is a learning management system (LMS) that integrates into your business’ sites and apps used to engage clientele and train employees.
• Adobe Experience Manager Forms: This is a digital document service that allows users to make their own forms that consumers can securely e-sign and submit.
• Adobe Experience Manager Guides: This is a cloud-native component content management system (CCMS) in which you can scale your content production and author, edit, and publish to several channels from a single source.

What Does an AEM Architect Do?

Now that you’re more familiar with what AEM is, an AEM architect is someone who oversees all functionalities and implementations within AEM for their company. To be more specific, their responsibilities include:

• Ensuring scalability: AEM experts make sure that the system is updated and optimized for present and future business goals.
• Following security protocol: An AEM developer should also abide by compliance and security protocol to protect the architecture and confidential company information.
• Installing and designing software: One of the most important things an AEM architect should do is install AEM itself and design the architecture as dictated by company needs.
• Providing AEM support: Architects should provide AEM training for entry-level professionals and guidance on best practices.
• Evaluating third-party technologies: AEM architects may need to look into the occasional third-party plug-in or program to bolster the company’s Adobe products as needed.

Essential Qualifications of AEM Architects

To be an expert in AEM architecture, you need to possess a vast knowledge of the program itself, but you should also have experience in things like:

• Web development
• Solution architecture
• Computer science
• Java
• RESTful APIs

Having knowledge in the above fields and programming languages is important, but so are soft skills such as creative problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and leadership. AEM architects are responsible for guiding their teams toward implementing business solutions through technical expertise, so having strong managerial qualities is also a must.

What to Know about AEM Architect Certification

There are different types of AEM certifications depending on your career level. Each entails its own exam and training courses. Because of the wide variety of use cases, Adobe offers an equally wide variety of study resources tailored to each profession.

Within Adobe Experience League, the company’s learning hub, you can hone your skills and learn the tricks of the trade as needed for your specific role. Here are some of the courses you can take, categorized by different skill levels.

• Professional
• Business Practitioner
• Developer (Sites)
• Developer (Assets)
• Back-end Developer (Forms)
• Technical Foundations
• Digital Librarian
• Content Author
• Expert
• Business Practitioner (Sites)
• Developer (Sites)
• DevOps
• Developer (Forms)
• Cloud Service Migration
• Master
• Architect (Sites)

Degrees and Educational Backgrounds

AEM requirements entail a firm grasp on the tool itself, but there are some other degrees and educational backgrounds that are a major boon. Of course, there’s the AEM certification, but you’ll also need expertise in languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Java.

A degree in computer science is essential, as is a background in web development, content management, and a combination of back-end development and front-end integration. The reason AEM requires its own set of skills is that it differs from typical web development, opting for reusable, authorable modules rather than static page building.

There are many facets of AEM to bear in mind, and that statement applies to clients and candidates alike. Whether you’re looking to develop your skills as an AEM architect or ready to add one to your growing team, TriCom can help. Reach out to us today to start a conversation.