Training programs in 'Microsoft' cover a multitude of choices. At one side of the scales, you could need some training on 'Word' or Excel, on the other you may be interested in gaining a number of MCP's to become certified in I.T. at a professional level. It is crucial, as it is with all training, to be sure of what job you want to get to, & what your motivations are to get there, because these can greatly influence what route you take and what learning style you use. If you're going to make a change of career into IT, or wish to enhance your prospects in the industry, don't risk it to chance. Talk to a professional training advisor who will help you to avoid any pitfalls.

'Microsoft' means the operating-system Windows to most individuals who use computers. The term 'Office' could similarly come to mind as a lot of men and women associate the applications-system with the company itself. The most well known program is most likely 'Word', which is an application for word-processing. Excel is also a tremendously popular program for spread-sheets, followed by 'Access' which allows us to generate databases. For giving presentations, Office has the software application PowerPoint, which rounds off the chief programs in the suite. (Although there are several more in the 'Microsoft' stable, such as 'Outlook', which is very widely as an email, messaging and calendar solution.)

'Microsoft' own 'Visual Studio', which is the fore-most 'Windows' software development 'environment'. They offer several languages, with 'C#.Net' & VB.Net (Visual Basic) currently being the most frequently used. You can learn more about these by reading our specific Programming pages. The main accreditations are the MCTS & 'MCPD' (as they have superseded the earlier MCAD and 'MCSD'.)

Good user skills can be obtained through a number of 'Microsoft' certification paths, & professional support skillsets through others. For in depth coverage concerning how to professionally use Office yourself, consider the 'Microsoft Office Specialist' (MOS) or the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS). For an accreditation that allows you to support other users, check out the 'Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician', or 'MCDST' as its known.

You may equally be thinking about a more technical job within the I.T. sector, which would require more in-depth and specialised MS accreditation study. The examination structure at 'Microsoft' has fairly recently experienced a significant over-haul. A lot of career training tracks still lead to 'MCP' qualifications, however the trend is steadily shifting towards 'MCITP' & MCTS programs ('Microsoft Certified IT Professional' and Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist respectively). Candidates on MCITP programs usually work up through 'MCTS' training-paths.

The key fields that MS offers certification tracks for are generally related to their core systems offerings. They are namely Networking (& Server Operating Systems), Databases (both Administration & Development) and Programming (and Software-Development in 'Windows'). Every one of these routes has it's own exclusive list of individual accreditation groups - which may be viewed more deeply by browsing through the appropriate web-pages of this site.

Business communications globally have been taken over by MS Networking and Server Operating-Systems. 'Windows' Server is used as the standard platform in around 80 - 90 percent of all office networks. It started off as 'NT' Server but the software has been improved through the years to 'Server 2000', 'Server 2003' & more recently 'Server 2008'. Most business establishments still use 'Server 2003', & up-grading to 2008 is unlikely for many. It is much more likely that platform up-dates to 'Server 2008' will be needed by companies that need to by pass a generation or 2, from 'NT' or 2000. If you look at our 'MCSA' and MCSE web-pages, you will find out much more about Networking, Servers and the question of 'Server 2003' verses '2008'.

'Databases' have their own unique language called 'SQL' ('Structured Query Language') which can be used to decipher information from a standardised Database. SQL is relevant to how information is stored on a database and extracted from it. Therefore an understanding of the language is crucial for anyone who wants a professional Database career. There are two routes for Database experts - 'Database Administrators' who manage and create reports on the information kept, and Database Developers, who are the designers and creators of Databases. Many developers are programmers as well, and can write software for databases in either C# or 'VB'.

The thrust towards increased professional recognition and competency for I.T. employees has been led by Microsoft for quite some time now. Because of this the entire I.T. industry and particularly senior management view skilled professional Microsoft qualifications with great respect.

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