Training for Microsoft certification can mean many different things. You may be looking for training courses in the standard Microsoft software programs, or you might be looking at professional-level I.T. training to obtain a Microsoft Certified-Professional (MCP) in a number of different areas. Whenever you're contemplating any type of training it is a good idea to start looking at what you would like to get from it - basically why did you start searching for training in the first place? We continually advise that if you plan to go after IT as a profession, you have a proper careers discussion with an appropriate advisor, to make sure you don't squander either your money or time.

To the majority of Computer users, the word 'Windows' comes to mind once they think about 'Microsoft'. It might also suggest 'Microsoft Office', which supplies us with numerous commonplace computer applications. MS 'Word' is Microsoft's word-processing software, known to many millions around the globe. Whilst Excel is the most widely used spread-sheet and 'Access' offers database abilities to many businesses. For presentations, 'Office' provides the software package 'PowerPoint', which rounds off the main applications in the suite. In reality though 'Microsoft' have taken their 'Office' portfolio a lot further - for example with 'Outlook' for messaging, diary formatting & emailing.

The principal Windows software development 'environment' is known as MS 'Visual Studio'. C#.Net & VB.Net are the preferred languages to learn. Each of them are covered under the Programming and Development pages on this web-site. Principle accreditations are the 'MCTS' and 'MCPD' (as they have replaced the older 'MCAD' & MCSD.)

Adept user skills can be obtained via particular 'Microsoft' certification tracks, and commercial support skill-sets through others. For in depth coverage regarding how to get the most from 'Office' yourself, consider the Microsoft Office Specialist ('MOS') or the 'Microsoft Certified Application Specialist' (MCAS). For a certification that allows you to support other users, research the 'Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician', or MCDST as its known.

You could also be considering a more technical position in the I.T. market, which would require rather more in depth & specialised Microsoft accreditation training. Microsoft have just lately revamped their accreditation structure, and while there are still quite a number of routes based upon the MCP qualifications, we are more and more looking at the move to MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) and MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) programs. In general, the MCTS qualifications are achieved on the way to the full MCITP program.

If we take the core I.T. systems we're able to then look at the certification programs that Microsoft is offering. They are 1) Network and Server Operating Systems, 2) Programming & Software Development within the 'Windows' environment, & 3) Database Administration and Development. For additional information and facts on the specifics of each individual training route & accreditation group, research the main areas pertinent to each on this web-site.

Undoubtedly one of Microsoft's over-riding strengths throughout the last couple of decades has been their push towards professional level certification, requiring various corporations to follow suit & increase their standards. Therefore, advanced Microsoft certifications stand in extremely high-regard by both I.T. leaders and global industry.

'Databases' have got their very own 'language' called 'SQL' ('Structured Query Language') which can be used to decipher information from a 'standardised' database. SQL is relevant to how data is saved on a Database and extracted out of it. Consequently knowledge of the language is essential for anybody looking for a professional database career. There are 2 paths for Database experts - Database Administrators who manage & create reports on the information kept, & Database Developers, who are the Designers and builders of databases. Often, a Database Developer may also gain programming certifications (either in 'VB' or 'C#',) so as to hold the complete skill set required to create database software, and also design the storage-structures.

Corporate communications internationally have been taken over by Microsoft Network and Server Operating Systems. It is now predicted that at least 80-90 per cent of all office networking systems use 'Windows' Server as the operating platform. It began as NT server but it has been elevated through the years to 'Server 2000', 'Server 2003' & more recently Server 2008. The majority of commercial operations still use Server 2003, and updating to 'Server 2008' is not likely for many. There are corporations with NT or 2000 installations, and they're the ones that have the biggest need to up-date to Server 2008. You'll come across further information on Microsoft Networking and Server Operating-Systems on the 'MCSE/MCSA' web-pages, along with advice on the 'Server 2003' vs 'Server 2008' question.

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