Jumat, 14 Juni 2013

The Brand new Microsoft Certification Program

By Jennifer Warren


Microsoft is yet again making important modifications to its IT training certification program. Despite the fact that these changes are designed to make the Microsoft certification program easier to use, there are drawbacks involved and whoever has or is looking at getting Microsoft training ought to pay attention to the way the program is changing. It should also be pointed out that professionals who currently have Microsoft certifications must also be alert to these new improvements, as they do have an impact upon a few Microsoft certificates.

Just what Changes Will Be Made?

Microsoft will be phasing out both the MCITP title as well as the MCTS title. These particular certifications will be replaced by the MCSE and MCSA titles, which happen to be the titles that Microsoft had been actually using for the longest period.

Nonetheless, Microsoft is doing a lot more than just changing the names around. It is also decreasing its rating for the MCITP title, so that it is equal to the MCSA title and not to the MCSE title, which is generally regarded as being the top form of Microsoft qualification.

Microsoft is once again making re-certification a requirement for people who want to keep the new MCSE or MCSD certification. Although this is a requirement that angered several certificate holders when Microsoft initially attempted to introduce it, a lot of people are coming to realize that continuous, fast changes in the technology world make it unachievable for a person to continue to hold to the same level of certification with no ongoing education. MCSE certifications must be renewed every 3 years and MCSD certifications every 2 years. MCSA certifications have no re-certification requirements.

Why the Modifications?

Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles weren't received well by either certificate trainees or all those that were looking to hire graduate students from Microsoft's certification program. Lots of businesses were and are still not technologically savvy and therefore failed to understand the differences between Microsoft's new certifications forms and the company's old ones. This made it difficult for those who were looking for a job, because these individuals had to explain to potential employers exactly what the new forms of certification meant and why they were just as valid as the old ones.

One more reason why the initial program change was not well received is the fact that Microsoft stated that the new certificates would have to be routinely renewed. However, the company was unclear regarding what needed to be done to obtain certificate renewal as well as when the certificates would expire. As you can imagine, this situation created a lot of uncertainty for people who were contemplating getting started with the Microsoft training program.

How to Upgrade Existing Certificates

Almost all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification tracks offer special upgrade examinations. These exams center on evaluating the knowledge of a student on the new and changed functionalities of a new technology edition. The requirement for these particular upgrade examinations is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Furthermore, in the event you currently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you will automatically be given a corresponding MCSA certification.

Are There Any Benefits Associated with Upgrading a Microsoft Certification?

Because Microsoft just recently changed the certification rules, it isn't essential for someone to right away upgrade his or her certification. There are plenty of organisations who are more than happy to hire a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, particularly if this individual has experience and can demonstrate that he or she is staying up to date with new developments related to his or her type of work.

Having said that, at some point it will be beneficial for an individual to have new upgraded certifications that reflect Microsoft's new standards and technologies. Whilst it may require some time and your money to obtain a new certification, it will be worth the effort. Besides, the skills accumulated under Microsoft's previous program do count for something and can be put towards the learning requirements for the new kind of certification (by means of special upgrade exams). The need to upgrade current certifications will be more urgent when corporations start using the newer Microsoft technology versions (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 and so on).

Microsoft's new certification program has worried some people that are thinking of taking a Microsoft training program or have already taken this kind of study course. Although the changes are not small or light in nature, they are generally speaking advantageous and in the long run will help to properly reflect the level of education and expertise one has in any given field of IT. Anyone that is at present taking a Microsoft training course for one of the more modern technology versions will already be using the brand new program and so have nothing to be concerned about. At the same time, anyone who has old(er) certificates (or what is now named legacy certification) are able to keep utilizing their old certifications with no problems, although ultimately transitioning to a current certification is definitely a good idea.




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