Whenever we talk about Microsoft accreditations, we're spanning an exceptionally wide spectrum. At 1 end of the scale, you might need some training on 'Word' or Excel, on the other you may be looking for a number of 'MCPs' in order to qualify in I.T. at the professional level. It is very important, as it is with all training, to be sure of where you want to get to, & what your reasons are to get there, because these can hugely affect what route you take and what learning method you utilise. If you are about to have a career move in to IT, or want to further your career prospects in the sector, don't leave it to chance. Talk to an industry training advisor who can help you avoid any wrong things.

If we think of the core IT systems we can then examine the accreditation programs that Microsoft offers. So fundamentally we are looking at Programming, Networks & Databases. There are particular and different qualification groups regarding each one of these routes; refer to the relevant sectors on this site for additional information.

Commercial communications around the globe are led by MS Network and Server Operating Systems. It's now believed that at least 80-90 percent of all workplace networking systems use 'Windows Server' as their operating platform. Obviously quite a few up-dates have happened - the original 'NT' Server became '2000', then 2003 and now '2008'. Commercially, Server 2003 continues to be the most common, & it's most likely that a great many companies using this platform won't update to Server 2008. It is more likely that platform up-dates to Server 2008 will end up being required by businesses that need to by pass a generation or 2, from NT or '2000'. Further information about Server 2003 and 'Server 2008' can be found on our dedicated MCSE and MCSA training web-pages, where you will likewise find out more about MS Network & Server Operating-Systems.

Proficient user-skills can be acquired through a number of 'Microsoft' certification tracks, and professional support skill-sets through others. For in-depth training on how to professionally use Office yourself, consider the 'Microsoft Office Specialist' (MOS) or the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS). A grade up from MOS & 'MCAS' is 'MCDST' - Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician, which provides you with the skill-set to support others within an office environment.

You might also be contemplating a technical position in the I.T. sector, which would mean more in depth and technical Microsoft certification training. In a bid to upgrade their professional accreditation programs, MS have just lately re-structured many of their examinations. Microsoft Certified IT Professional ('MCITP') and 'Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist' (MCTS) are now being introduced, however many Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) examinations are nevertheless still current. 'MCTS' training packages are typically achieved as building-blocks towards the MCITP.

MS own Visual Studio, which is the fore-most 'Windows' software program development environment. C#.Net & Visual Basic.Net are generally the most widely used 'languages' to master. Information and facts concerning both languages is included in the Programming and Development section of this website. Principle accreditations are the 'MCTS' & 'MCPD' (having superseded the older MCAD & MCSD.)

Structured Query Language or 'SQL' is a specialist 'language' for interrogating 'Databases'. Structured Query Language is relevant to how information is saved on a database & extracted out of it. Consequently an understanding of the 'language' is essential for anyone who wants a professional level database position. Developers (DBDs) set up & design 'databases' for Administrators ('DBAs') to regulate, interpret and produce reports about the data. Quite often, a 'DB Developer' may also obtain programming qualifications (either in 'VB' or C#,) to hold the full skill-set required to create Database software, and also design the storage-structures.

Microsoft indicates the operating-system 'Windows' to most individuals who use PC's. It may also mean 'Microsoft Office', which supplies us with a selection of common-place PC applications. MS 'Word' is the company's word-processing application, known to millions around the world. Excel is also an exceptionally popular application for spread-sheets, as well as Access that allows us to produce databases. The last one of the principal 4 applications in Office is PowerPoint, which is widely used for giving presentations. However 'Microsoft' have developed their Office portfolio a lot further - for example with Outlook for messaging, calendar formatting and e-mailing.

Amongst Microsoft's over-riding strengths through-out the last couple of decades has been their thrust towards skilled professional certification, triggering many other companies to comply and increase their standards. As such, professional MS accreditations stand in very high-regard by both I.T. professionals & global industry.

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