NOVOSIBIRSK, RUSSIA: Sibers LTD, a Russia-based software outsourcing company, performed analysis of how decision making of executives looking to hire offshore developers changed in the last three months.

The survey, conducted among selected current and prospective clients, revealed a significant tendency: a heightened level of cautiousness during the process of selecting a provider.

Sibers analytics noted a longer period of hiring developers and weighting reasons for each supplier that takes part in the tender. The number of competing providers has also increased with the larger role of Eastern-European software companies.

According to the release, The Zend PHP certification is considered a worldwide standard for proof of practical skills for PHP developers. The target group of customers agreed that a successfully passed certification provides extra assurance that the code is written according to global PHP community standards.

"While a degree in CS assures theoretical competence, and a portfolio demonstrates abilities, the certification reveals solely the practical experience possessed by a programmer," confirms Sibers PHP-team leader Valery Makarenko.

Sibers contributes to the best software development practices by thorough training courses for its PHP professionals. It is confirmed by the fact that 13 percent of all PHP certified developers from Russia work at Sibers.

The growing popularity of Zend PHP Certification in Russia demonstrates the awareness of best practices among Russian programmers who keep in step with the latest PHP technology.

"Our customers tell us that their development managers are finding Zend certification a useful tool in the hiring of PHP experts and both Zend Framework and PHP 5 certifications help those managers to validate practical skills," said Susie Sedlacek, vice president for global services at Zend Technologies.

"We are pleased that the huge uptake in PHP in the Russian market also reflects the strong demand for Zend Certified Engineers with pertinent PHP and Zend Framework skills in that market, and at companies like Sibers," added Sedlacek.