Whenever we consider Microsoft accreditations, we're addressing an incredibly wide spectrum. You may be searching for training in the standard Microsoft software programs, or you might be considering professional-grade I.T. training to become a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) in a variety of areas. It's extremely important, as with all training, to be sure of where you would like to get to, and what your reasons are to reach that point, as these can hugely influence what track you take and what learning style you utilise. We continually advise that should you decide to get into I.T. as a career, have a proper careers talk with an appropriate advisor, to be sure you don't waste either your time or money.

The principal 'Windows' software development 'environment' is called Microsoft 'Visual Studio'. They offer several 'languages', with 'C#.Net' and 'VB.Net' ('Visual Basic') currently being the most frequently used. They are covered under the Programming pages on this web-site. The most commonly recognised qualifications are the 'Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist' & the Microsoft Certified Professional Developer.

If you would like to be a good user to assist you with your work, or study for a professional job in a support role, there are a number of training programs to get you there. To find out about 'Office' 2003 ('XP') evaluate 'MOS' - Microsoft Office Specialist. For Office 2007 ('Vista') skillsets choose MCAS - 'Microsoft Certified Application Specialist'. For a qualification to support other users, check out the 'Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician', or 'MCDST' as its known.

You could equally be thinking about a more senior position in the I.T. sector, that would require rather more in depth & specialist MS certification study. The examination structure at Microsoft has gone through an important change. Many career training routes still lead to MCP certifications, however the direction is gradually shifting towards 'MCITP' & 'MCTS' programs ('Microsoft Certified IT Professional' & Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist respectively). Students on the 'MCITP' programs usually work up through 'MCTS' training-paths.

Microsoft Networking & Server Operating Systems dominate the commercial world. The operating platform for approximately eight or nine out of every ten office networks is predicted to be 'Windows Server'. This application has been through a number of up-dates now, starting with 'NT' Server, after that turning into Server 2000, Server 2003 and currently Server 2008. A substantial amount of organisations still use Server 2003 as their standard platform, & don't intend to switch. There are still corporations with 'NT' or '2000' installations, & they are the ones with the most requirement to up-grade to 2008. If you look at our MCSA and MCSE pages, you'll discover more about Networks, Servers and the challenge of Server 2003 verses '2008'.

You can divide the various certification tracks largely based on the systems they are relevant to. These encompass 1) Network and Server Operating Systems, 2) Programming & Software-Development within the 'Windows' environment, & 3) Database Administration and Development. Every one of these routes has it's own special set of individual certification groups - which may be looked into in more depth by browsing through the relevant pages of this site.

Over time, to their credit, 'Microsoft' have developed increasingly professional level accreditations - which has meant that other players in the industry have been required to improve their offerings. Consequently professional level 'Microsoft' accreditation is very well thought of throughout the entire world of I.T. and I.T. management.

Microsoft indicates the operating system 'Windows' to many individuals who use personal computers. To others, it's synonymous with the leading 'Office' programs used, either in the home or at the office, to perform a number of everyday functions. 'Word' is Microsoft's word processing software, known to millions around the globe. 'Excel' is also a tremendously well known program for spreadsheets, along with 'Access' which allows us to create databases. The last one of the most important four software programs in 'Office' is 'PowerPoint', which is widely used for giving presentations. There is however a lot more to Office as a whole, for instance Microsoft 'Outlook' is used as a calendar, email and messaging-system.

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