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Unsurprisingly, security is flagged as a key area in which resellers will seek training this year, according to DDLS’ Ross.

Both specific and generic security courses, such as Microsoft’s Fundamentals of Network Security, would be in demand, he predicted. DDSL also offers an intensive five-day Ultrahacking Defence course.

For 2005, Data#3 is looking at VPN security, network security and management as the hot areas for staff training, according to Grant.

More generally, Data#3 is looking at Microsoft e-business software including content management, SharePoint Sevices and CRM, he says.

Leading Solutions echoed the security and wireless mantra, with Galley saying both areas would be training focal points.

The 2004 trend towards all-in-one security devices is set to continue this year, says WatchGuard’s Radavics. But he admits that demand for all-in-one devices tends to come from the SME segment. "In enterprise we’re still seeing mostly a preference for best of breed. The other big hotspot is wireless and security," he adds. "Securing wireless is the number one standout requirement."

In addition to the security area, Microsoft and Cisco courses remained in demand. "We’re seeing a lot of interest in SQL with the anticipated release of Yukon (SQL Server 2005) this year," Radavics says.

Cisco telephony courses were another hot area, says Ross. VoIP has overcome its slow start, impeded by the slow buying cycle for customers migrating from legacy PABX technology, he says. ITIL (an IT Services Management best practice framework) training was also proving popular, because it was a prerequisite for dealing with a number of organisations, particularly government departments, says Ross. "We’re seeing growth in project management and ITIL spending."

Looking at the motivation behind end user spending on IT, Ross says end users are looking for productivity gains. With that in mind, resellers would find training around email management and wireless to be beneficial. "As we see wireless come of age, we’re seeing applications which support PDAs, such as the integration of Outlook and Exchange."

This technology could be sold as a productivity booster, enabling communications for a mobile sales force rather than bringing them back into the office, he says.

Data#3 is one integrator beginning to focus on the growing mobility market, as the corporate market begins to demand solutions for mobile executives. The company currently has a pilot under way with Vodafone on BlackBerry devices.

But rather than seeking training on particular ‘hot technologies’, in keeping with their vendor-focused approach, Grant says the integration company will focus on the technologies that its vendors deliver.