Meet a Certified Developer - Andy Burns!

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Welcome to our community series, “Meet Our Certified Developer”! We're excited to bring you an insightful interview with Andy Burns, Senior Solutions Consultant at SS&C Blue Prism. Andy has earned nearly every Blue Prism certification as part of his Intelligent Automation journey, using these skills to help customers and partners deliver impactful automation solutions.

Join us as Andy shares his first-hand experience taking the Blue Prism certification exams, and how these credentials have deepened his understanding of our products.

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you started in Automation/SS&C Blue Prism.

I’m a Senior Solutions Consultant at SS&C Blue Prism, working closely with partner teams and enterprise customers. My role involves demonstrating the unique value of Blue Prism’s digital workforce, which uses software robots to reduce costs, increase accuracy, ensure compliance, and scale up operations without requiring code.

I got started in RPA back in 2019 after a long history in enterprise software. Through my professional network, I connected with people at the major RPA vendors and had a strong relationship with Blue Prism. The Solutions Consulting team happened to be hiring at the time, and the rest is history. I joined just in time for Blue Prism World 2019!

What was the motivation to pursue all Blue Prism certifications?

Maybe it’s my time in the Scouts, I’ve always loved a good merit badge program!

In my Solutions Consulting role, I work mostly with enterprise customers. I often saw interest in certification from their teams, but there was usually a lack of focus, clarity, or understanding on how to get started. I felt the best way I could support and guide these teams was to go through the journey myself, just like I did when I completed Blue Prism Foundation training.

If you’ve done it yourself, you can speak from experience, not just read it from a slide. Preparing for these exams also helped me better understand the specific value of each certification, the learning involved, and the job roles they’re best aligned with.

What does the value of certification bring to you professionally?

Certifications give me a higher level of credibility with customers. I’m seen as a trusted resource who knows how to work with Blue Prism tools in a wide range of situations. They’ve also helped me eliminate blind spots. I now have a more comprehensive view of the Blue Prism product and the roles that support a successful automation program.

How does having a certified team add value to businesses implementing automation solutions?

Every team I’ve worked with since joining Blue Prism that had certified staff has run a stronger automation program. They had more robust pipelines of activity and better ROI. Teams with a healthy mix of certifications consistently perform the best, especially when they have a senior developer to offer technical guidance, a designer to apply best practices, and a solid team of developers to deliver reliable, maintainable automations.

At the leadership level, having someone who understands the Robotic Operating Model (ROM) really makes a difference. Strong strategy, good governance, and effective communication allow the rest of the team to focus on building and scaling their program with confidence.

Advice to Aspiring Professionals

Take action! Start by finding a mentor and asking questions. Take the Foundation Training, review the Associate Developer resources, and schedule the exam. That first milestone gives you validation—you’re on the right track.

Everyone’s long-term goals are different, and that’s what makes the Blue Prism certification portfolio so valuable. The variety allows each person to design their own career path. Study toward your goal, confirm your skills, and move forward in your career with confidence.

Fun Fact: If you could automate any daily task in your personal life with RPA, what would it be and why?

Definitely shopping. I already use automation to clip online coupons and find deals—but I’d love it if a bot could scan my fridge and pantry, then just take care of everything for me. Looks like that one’s still a job for a human... for now!

Want to start your own certification journey?

Explore our full range of Blue Prism certifications and see how far automation can take your career!