Microsoft training often means many different things. At one side of the range, you could need some teaching on Word or Excel, on the other you might be interested in gaining several MCP's in order to get certified in IT at a professional level. Whenever you're thinking of any kind of training program it's a good idea to start looking at what you want to get from it - in other words why did you start searching for training to begin with? During your IT research, go over your options with a training specialist who can help you to get all you need out of your training course at the correct price & in the best learning-method for you personally.

Microsoft indicates the operating system 'Windows' to many people who use computers. The word Office may similarly come to mind as many people associate the 'applications' system with the organisation itself. MS 'Word' is the company's word processing program, known to many millions everywhere. When we want spread-sheets we have 'Excel', & when we require database software programs we have 'Access'. The next one of the key 4 programs in 'Office' is 'PowerPoint', which is widely used for giving presentations. In reality 'Microsoft' have developed their Office portfolio a lot further - for instance with Outlook for messaging, calendar formatting & emailing.

A dedicated language has been created for implementing and interrogating Databases, referred to as SQL, or 'Structured Query Language'. Anyone looking to work on 'Databases' professionally must first learn how to understand SQL, so that they can manage data successfully. DBAs (Database Administrators) effectively control database information & reporting, while DB Developers setup and design databases. Database Developers generally also learn programming skills to enable them to write database-software - this requires another qualification in VB or 'C#'.

If we take the core IT systems we're able to then look at the certification programs that 'Microsoft' has put in place. These encompass 1) Network & Server Operating Systems, 2) Programming and Software Development inside the 'Windows' environment, & 3) Database Administration & Development. Every one of these tracks has its own exclusive set of individual accreditation groups - which can be looked over more deeply by browsing through the relevant web-pages on this site.

Microsoft Network and Server Operating Systems control the business community. 'Windows Server' is utilised as the standard platform in an estimated 80 - 90 percent of all business networks. This application has undergone several upgrades now, starting with NT Server, and then turning into 'Server 2000', Server 2003 and right now Server 2008. A large amount of organisations still utilise Server 2003 as their standard operating platform, and don't intend to switch. It's more likely that platform up-grades to Server 2008 will end up being required by businesses that need to by pass a generation or two, from 'NT' or '2000'. More information about 'Server 2003' & 2008 is available on our dedicated MCSE and MCSA training pages, where you'll also discover more about MS Networking and Server Operating-Systems.

If you'd enjoy being a good user to assist you with your job, or study for a specialist career in a support position, there are a number of training packages to get you there. The MOS ('Microsoft Office Specialist') & 'MCAS' (Microsoft Certified Application Specialist) programs teach the 'Office' Suite in depth. For a qualification to support other users, look into the 'Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician', or 'MCDST' for short.

There are rather more specialist and advanced qualification paths if your aim is to become a senior I.T. more advanced. In a bid to up-grade their professional level certification programs, MS have just lately re-structured many of their exams. Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) & 'Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist' ('MCTS') are now being introduced, however many Microsoft Certified Professional ('MCP') exams continue to be current. Usually, the MCTS certifications are achieved en-route to a full MCITP program.

Visual Studio is the primary Windows software program development environment, & is exclusively owned by MS. They offer a variety of 'languages', with C#.Net & VB.Net (Visual Basic) being the most commonly used. They're discussed on the Programming pages on this web-site. Essentially the most widely recognised qualifications are the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist & the 'Microsoft Certified Professional Developer'.

Through the years, to their credit, MS have introduced increasingly professional level certifications - which has meant that many other players in the sector have been forced to enhance their offerings. Because of this the whole I.T. world & especially senior managers regard more advanced Microsoft certifications with huge respect.

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