Friday, July 19, 2013

The New Microsoft Certification Program Explained

By Lisa Schmidt


Microsoft is once more making major improvements to its IT training certification program. While these changes ought to make the Microsoft certification program much easier to use, there are drawbacks involved and anyone who has or is looking at getting Microsoft training need to be aware of the way the program is changing. It should also be known that professionals who have already got Microsoft certifications should also be aware of these new modifications, since they will have an impact upon some Microsoft certificates.

What Modifications Are Being Made?

Microsoft will be phasing out both the MCITP title plus the MCTS title. These particular titles shall be substituted with the MCSE and MCSA titles, which were the titles that Microsoft had been actually using for the longest time.

Even so, Microsoft is doing much more than only changing the names around. It's also bringing down its rating for the MCITP title, so that it is equivalent to the MCSA title and not to the MCSE title, which is commonly looked upon as the premium form of Microsoft qualification.

Microsoft is once again making re-certification a requisite for people who wish to keep the new MCSE or MCSD certification. While this is a requirement which angered numerous certificate holders when Microsoft initially tried to introduce it, a lot of people are coming to realize that continuous, fast changes in the computer world make it impossible for an individual to continue to hold to the same level of certification with no ongoing training. MCSE certifications will need to 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 well received by both certificate trainees or those who were seeking to employ graduates from Microsoft's certification program. Lots of organisations were and are still not computer savvy and for that reason did not comprehend the differences between Microsoft's new certifications types and the company's old ones. This meant it was challenging for those who were searching for a job, as these individuals were forced to explain to potential employers exactly what the new types of certification meant and why they were just as valid as the old ones.

One other reason why the initial program change was not appreciated is the fact that Microsoft said that the new certificates would have to be periodically renewed. However, the company was unclear regarding precisely what would have to be done to achieve certificate renewal as well as when the certificates would expire. Not surprisingly, this situation created a large amount of uncertainty for people who were thinking of getting started with the Microsoft training program.

The Way To Upgrade Current Certificates

Practically all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification tracks provide special upgrade examinations. These examinations focus on assessing the knowledge of the student on the new and changed features of a new technology edition. The requirement of these upgrade exams is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Besides, 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.

What Are The Benefits Associated with Upgrading a Microsoft Certification?

Because Microsoft just recently changed the certification rules, it is not essential for an individual to instantly upgrade his or her certification. There are lots of employers who are more than happy to employ a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, especially if he or she has experience and can demonstrate that he or she is staying abreast of new developments associated with his or her type of work.

Nonetheless, sometime soon it will be beneficial for people to have new upgraded certifications that represent Microsoft's new systems and technology versions. While it may require some time and money to secure a new certification, it really is well worth the effort. Besides, the skills obtained under Microsoft's past program do count for something and can be put towards the study requirements for the new form of accreditation (by means of special upgrade examinations). The necessity to upgrade present certifications is set to become more urgent when organizations begin using the more modern Microsoft technology versions (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 etc).

Microsoft's new certification system has alarmed some individuals who are contemplating taking a Microsoft training program or have by now taken this kind of course. Although the changes are not small or light in nature, they are generally advantageous and in the long run will help to correctly reflect exactly how much training and expertise an individual has in any given field of IT. Any person who is at present taking a Microsoft training course for one of the newer technologies will already be using the new program and therefore have absolutely nothing to be concerned about. Simultaneously, individuals who have old(er) certificates (or what is now called legacy certification) can keep utilizing their old certifications with no problems, whilst ultimately transitioning to a current certification is certainly a good idea.




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