CDM Professionals Up 50 Percent in 1999.

This year is the 10th anniversary of NDIA's Technical Information Division Certification program for configuration and data management (CDM) professionals. In February, the certification process expanded to the United Kingdom as a result of cooperative efforts between the Technical Information Division and CM Europe, based in the UK.

CDM is recognized as an important discipline in design and development of all types of products, with global applications in both defense and commercial business. With the increasing use of non-government guidance standards, such as ETA 649 and the ISO 9000 series, such standards now have become the basis for organizational processes and are bringing considerable commonality to the world-wide practice of configuration and data management. While CDM certification continues to focus primarily on the United States, Technical Information Division leaders anticipate continuing expansion of the program in Europe.

In 1999, there were 108 CDM certifications, which is an increase of 50 percent over the prior year. This was due primarily to increased participation by some large defense-oriented companies.

Special congratulations are offered to the following individuals who achieved the highest examination scores for each level of certification during the year. They are: George K. Fallenbeck, of Sverdrup Technology and Frederic I. Lavine, of Raytheon Systems Co., tied for Configuration and Data Manager; and Anthony E. Romero of Analysis and Technology Company for Configuration and Data Specialist.