When we talk about Microsoft certifications, we are spanning a very wide range. You could be looking for training programs in the standard MS software applications, or you might be looking at professional grade IT training to become a Microsoft Certified-Professional (or MCP) in a number of different areas. When you are thinking of any type of training program it's advisable to first look at exactly what you would like to get from it - for instance why did you start looking for training to begin with? During your research, talk through your plans with an industry professional who can help you to get everything you need from your training program at the right price & in the most appropriate learning-method for you personally.

If you would like to be a good user to assist you as part of your job, or train for a specialist career in a support role, there are a number of training programs to get you there. For in depth training concerning how to professionally use 'Office' yourself, look at the 'Microsoft Office Specialist' ('MOS') or the 'Microsoft Certified Application Specialist' ('MCAS'). A grade up from MOS and 'MCAS' is MCDST - 'Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician', which will give you the skill set to support others in an office environment.

You may equally be thinking of a senior job in the IT market, which would require more in depth & specialised MS accreditation study. The exam structure at Microsoft has fairly recently experienced an important over-haul. A number of career tracks still lead to 'MCP' accreditations, but the trend is steadily shifting towards 'MCITP' and MCTS programs (Microsoft Certified IT Professional and Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist respectively). MCTS learning programs are generally taken as building-blocks towards the MCITP.

Commercial communications globally have been taken over by MS Network & Server Operating-Systems. The operating platform for approximately eight or nine out of every ten business networks is believed to be Windows Server. It started off as 'NT' server but has been elevated over the years to 'Server 2000', Server 2003 and most recently 'Server 2008'. In a commercial sense, Server 2003 continues to be the more popular, & its likely that many businesses utilising this platform will never upgrade to Server 2008. It's much more likely that platform up-dates to '2008' will be needed by businesses that need to skip a generation or two, from NT or '2000'. You will discover further information on MS Networking and Server Operating-Systems under the 'MCSE'/'MCSA' web-pages, along with advice on the Server 2003 versus 'Server 2008' question.

To a lot of people, 'Microsoft' means Windows (the Operating System which runs your home computer.) It could also signify Microsoft Office, which provides us with an array of commonplace PC applications. MS 'Word' is Microsoft's word-processing application, known to many millions everywhere. While 'Excel' is the most commonly used spread-sheet and Access offers database abilities to numerous businesses. If we include the PowerPoint presentation software we complete the leading components generally related to the Office collection. There is however much more to 'Office' as a whole, for example Microsoft 'Outlook' is used as a calendar, e-mail and messaging system.

You can divide the various certification tracks fundamentally consistent with the systems they are relevant to. They are 1) Network & Server Operating-Systems, 2) Programming and Software Development inside the Windows environment, and 3) Database Administration and Development. There are particular & quite different qualification groups pertaining to each one of these tracks; refer to the appropriate sectors on this site for more information.

The principal Windows software development environment is called Microsoft Visual Studio. Several languages are provided, though the two most commonly applied ones are 'C#.Net' and 'Visual Basic.Net'. They're featured on the Programming and Development pages on this site. The most commonly accepted certifications are the 'Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist' & the 'Microsoft Certified Professional Developer'.

A unique 'language' has been designed for working with and interrogating databases, referred to as 'SQL', or Structured Query Language. Understanding this specific 'language' is extremely important for everyone thinking about moving into Databases, because it underpins exactly how data is filed & extracted. DBAs (Database Administrators) essentially manage Database information and reporting, whilst DB Developers set-up and design 'databases'. A lot of Developers are programmers as well, & can write software for databases in either 'C#' or VB.

The thrust towards greater skilled professional recognition & skill for I.T. staff has been led by Microsoft for several years now. So much so that the entire I.T. industry and particularly senior management regard professional level Microsoft accreditations with great respect.

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