Microsoft training can mean several different things. To a lot of people Microsoft training usually means understanding software-programs, & to other people it means attaining higher level IT certifications to operate at a professional level in the IT industry. Whenever you're contemplating any kind of training course it is advisable to start looking at exactly what you want to get from it - in other words why did you begin looking for training to begin with? We always suggest that should you decide to get into I.T. as a career, have a proper careers talk with a professional advisor, to be sure you do not waste either your time or money.

To many people today, Microsoft means 'Windows' (the operating-system that controls your home PC.) The term Office may equally spring to mind because many individuals equate the applications system with the organisation itself. The most common application is Word, which is an application for word processing. 'Excel' is also an extremely well known program for spreadsheets, as well as Access which allows us to generate databases. If we add the PowerPoint presentations software we finalise the key components generally associated with the Office collection. In reality 'Microsoft' have developed their Office portfolio much further - for instance with Outlook for messaging, calendar formatting and emailing.

'Visual Studio' is the primary 'Windows' software development environment, & is exclusively owned by Microsoft. C#.Net & VB.Net tend to be the preferred languages to master. Advice on both of these languages is covered in the Programming and Development section of this site. Essentially the most broadly recognised certifications are now the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist & the 'Microsoft Certified Professional Developer'.

'Structured Query Language' or 'SQL' is a specific 'language' for interrogating Databases. Anybody hoping to work on 'Databases' in a professional manner must learn how to understand 'SQL', to be able to manage information effectively. There are 2 paths for database experts - Database Administrators who manage & create reports on the information kept, and 'Database Developers', who are the designers & builders of Databases. Often, a Database Developer may also gain programming certifications (either in 'VB' or 'C#',) to hold the complete skill-set needed to write Database software, and also design the storage-structures.

Expert user-skills can be developed via specific Microsoft certification tracks, and commercial support skill-sets via others. The MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) & 'MCAS' ('Microsoft Certified Application Specialist') programs teach the 'Office' Suite in depth. For an accreditation to support other users, look into the 'Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician', or 'MCDST' for short.

There are rather more specialist and higher qualification tracks if your aim is to become a more senior IT skilled professional. In a bid to up-date their professional certification programs, 'Microsoft' have fairly recently re-structured several of their examinations. 'Microsoft Certified IT Professional' (MCITP) & Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist ('MCTS') are being brought in, however several 'Microsoft Certified Professional' (MCP) examinations remain current. Normally, the 'MCTS' certifications are studied en-route to a full MCITP program.

The main areas that MS provide certification paths for are typically relevant to their core systems offerings. These encompass 1) Network & Server Operating Systems, 2) Programming & Software-Development within the Windows environment, & 3) Database Administration and Development. Every one of these tracks has its own exclusive list of individual accreditation groups - which may be looked into more deeply by browsing through the relevant web-pages of this site.

The thrust towards higher professional level recognition & skill for IT staff has been championed by Microsoft for a couple of decades now. Therefore, professional Microsoft qualifications stand in very high-regard by both I.T. professionals & global industry.

Industry and commerce are over-whelmingly directed by 'Microsoft' Networking and Server Operating Systems. 'Windows Server' is used as the operating platform in an estimated 80 - 90 percent of all networked offices. This software has been through various up-dates now, starting with NT Server, then becoming Server 2000, 'Server 2003' & now Server 2008. Most commercial operations still utilise Server 2003, & updating to Server 2008 is unlikely for a lot of them. It's more likely that installation up-grades to 'Server 2008' will be needed by businesses that have to miss a generation or two, from 'NT' or 2000. If you read our 'MCSA' and MCSE pages, you will discover much more about Networks, Servers & the challenge of Server 2003 verses Server 2008.

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