Microsoft is once again making substantial improvements to its IT training certification program. Whilst these changes are meant to make the Microsoft certification program easier to use, there are disadvantages involved and anyone who has or is thinking about getting Microsoft training will want to be aware of how the program is changing. It should also be pointed out that those who currently have Microsoft certifications also need to be familiar with these new improvements, as they do have an impact upon a few Microsoft certificates.
Just what Changes Will Be Made?
Microsoft will be phasing out both the MCITP title along with the MCTS title. Those titles will be replaced by the MCSE and MCSA titles, which happen to be the titles that Microsoft was actually utilizing for the longest time period.
Even so, Microsoft does much more than only changing the names around. It is also reducing its standing for the MCITP title, making it the same as the MCSA title but not to the MCSE title, which is generally regarded as being the top form of Microsoft qualification.
Microsoft is once again making re-certification a requirement for people who want to keep the new MCSE or MCSD title. Although this is a requirement that angered lots of certification holders when Microsoft initially attempted to introduce it, increasing numbers of people are beginning to recognize that ongoing, rapid changes in the computer world make it extremely hard for an individual to continue to hold to the same level of accreditation without on-going education. MCSE certifications will need to be renewed every 3 years and MCSD certifications every 2 years. MCSA certifications are going to have no re-certification requirements.
Why the Changes?
Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles were not well accepted by both certificate students or those who were trying to employ graduate students from Microsoft's certification program. A good number of employers were and are still not technically savvy and thus did not understand the differences between Microsoft's new certifications forms and the company's old ones. This meant it was challenging for people who were searching for a job, because these individuals needed to explain to potential employers what the new types of certification meant and why they were as appropriate as the old ones.
Another reason why the initial program change was not well received is the fact that Microsoft declared that the new certificates would be required to be periodically renewed. However, the company was unclear regarding what needed to be accomplished to acquire certificate renewal and when the certificates would expire. Obviously, this situation created a large amount of uncertainty for people who were considering signing up for the Microsoft training program.
Tips On How To Upgrade Existing Certificates
Practically all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification paths provide special upgrade exams. These exams concentrate on evaluating the know-how of a student on the new and changed functionalities of a new technology version. The requirement for these particular upgrade exams is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Furthermore, should you currently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you will automatically be given a corresponding MCSA certification.
Are There Any Advantages Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certification?
Given that Microsoft has just recently changed the certification rules, it is not crucial for an individual to instantly upgrade his or her certification. There are lots of organisations 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 show that he or she is staying up-to-date with new developments associated with his or her type of work.
However, in the future it would be good for a person to have new upgraded certifications that reflect Microsoft's new systems and technology versions. Whilst it might require some time and money to obtain a new certification, it really is well worth the effort. Besides, the skills earned under Microsoft's past program do count for something and can be put towards the study requirements for the new type of certification (by way of special upgrade examinations). The call to upgrade existing certifications will be more urgent when enterprises start using the newer Microsoft technology versions (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 and so forth).
Microsoft's new certification system has alarmed some individuals who have been considering taking a Microsoft training program or have already taken this type of training course. Although the changes are not small or light in nature, they really are generally advantageous and in the long run will help to correctly reflect the level of education and knowledge a person has in any given field of IT. Any person who is presently taking a Microsoft training course for one of the more modern technologies will already be using the brand new program and therefore have absolutely nothing to be concerned about. At the same time, those who have old(er) certificates (or what is now called legacy certification) are able to keep employing their old certifications without any problems, whilst sooner or later transitioning to a current certification is certainly recommended.
Just what Changes Will Be Made?
Microsoft will be phasing out both the MCITP title along with the MCTS title. Those titles will be replaced by the MCSE and MCSA titles, which happen to be the titles that Microsoft was actually utilizing for the longest time period.
Even so, Microsoft does much more than only changing the names around. It is also reducing its standing for the MCITP title, making it the same as the MCSA title but not to the MCSE title, which is generally regarded as being the top form of Microsoft qualification.
Microsoft is once again making re-certification a requirement for people who want to keep the new MCSE or MCSD title. Although this is a requirement that angered lots of certification holders when Microsoft initially attempted to introduce it, increasing numbers of people are beginning to recognize that ongoing, rapid changes in the computer world make it extremely hard for an individual to continue to hold to the same level of accreditation without on-going education. MCSE certifications will need to be renewed every 3 years and MCSD certifications every 2 years. MCSA certifications are going to have no re-certification requirements.
Why the Changes?
Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles were not well accepted by both certificate students or those who were trying to employ graduate students from Microsoft's certification program. A good number of employers were and are still not technically savvy and thus did not understand the differences between Microsoft's new certifications forms and the company's old ones. This meant it was challenging for people who were searching for a job, because these individuals needed to explain to potential employers what the new types of certification meant and why they were as appropriate as the old ones.
Another reason why the initial program change was not well received is the fact that Microsoft declared that the new certificates would be required to be periodically renewed. However, the company was unclear regarding what needed to be accomplished to acquire certificate renewal and when the certificates would expire. Obviously, this situation created a large amount of uncertainty for people who were considering signing up for the Microsoft training program.
Tips On How To Upgrade Existing Certificates
Practically all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification paths provide special upgrade exams. These exams concentrate on evaluating the know-how of a student on the new and changed functionalities of a new technology version. The requirement for these particular upgrade exams is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Furthermore, should you currently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you will automatically be given a corresponding MCSA certification.
Are There Any Advantages Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certification?
Given that Microsoft has just recently changed the certification rules, it is not crucial for an individual to instantly upgrade his or her certification. There are lots of organisations 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 show that he or she is staying up-to-date with new developments associated with his or her type of work.
However, in the future it would be good for a person to have new upgraded certifications that reflect Microsoft's new systems and technology versions. Whilst it might require some time and money to obtain a new certification, it really is well worth the effort. Besides, the skills earned under Microsoft's past program do count for something and can be put towards the study requirements for the new type of certification (by way of special upgrade examinations). The call to upgrade existing certifications will be more urgent when enterprises start using the newer Microsoft technology versions (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 and so forth).
Microsoft's new certification system has alarmed some individuals who have been considering taking a Microsoft training program or have already taken this type of training course. Although the changes are not small or light in nature, they really are generally advantageous and in the long run will help to correctly reflect the level of education and knowledge a person has in any given field of IT. Any person who is presently taking a Microsoft training course for one of the more modern technologies will already be using the brand new program and therefore have absolutely nothing to be concerned about. At the same time, those who have old(er) certificates (or what is now called legacy certification) are able to keep employing their old certifications without any problems, whilst sooner or later transitioning to a current certification is certainly recommended.
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