Whenever we refer to MS accreditations, we're spanning an extremely broad spectrum. You may be interested in training courses in the standard Microsoft software programs, or you might be considering professional-level IT training to become a Microsoft Certified-Professional (or MCP) in a variety of areas. Whenever you're thinking of any type of training program it is advisable to first look at exactly what you would like to get out of it - basically why did you start trying to find training in the first place? We continually advise that if you plan to get into IT as a profession, have a good careers talk with an appropriate advisor, to be sure you do not squander either your money or your time.

To many home PC users, the word Windows comes to mind when they think of 'Microsoft'. It may also signify Microsoft 'Office', which provides us with a selection of popular PC applications. The most familiar program is probably Word, which is an application for word processing. When we want spread-sheets we use Excel, & when we want database software programs we've got 'Access'. The final of the most important four programs in Office is 'PowerPoint', which is widely used for delivering presentations. In reality though 'Microsoft' have taken their Office portfolio a lot further - for instance with Outlook for messaging, diary formatting & emailing.

Whether you are looking to achieve a beginner's knowledge of these systems & packages, or a full professional understanding to help you support other people, there are several certifications which could help. The MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) & MCAS ('Microsoft Certified Application Specialist') programs deal with the office Suite in-depth. The 'MCDST' ('Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician') takes this to the next level, so that you're qualified to support others.

You might equally be contemplating a senior job in the IT sector, that would require more in depth & specialised Microsoft accreditation training. 'Microsoft' have just lately re-vamped their accreditation structure, & whilst there are still many tracks based on the MCP qualifications, we are increasingly witnessing the move to MCITP ('Microsoft Certified IT Professional') and MCTS ('Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist') programs. MCTS learning programs are generally taken as building-blocks towards the 'MCITP'.

You can break down the various accreditation paths fundamentally based on the systems they are relevant to. So essentially we are looking at Programming, Networks and Databases. Each of these paths has its own special list of individual certification groups - which may be looked at in more depth by going through the appropriate web-pages on this site.

Commercial communications internationally have been taken over by Microsoft Network & Server Operating-Systems. Windows Server is utilised as the operating platform in around 80 - 90 per cent of all business networks. It started out as 'NT' server but the software has been enhanced over time to 'Server 2000', 'Server 2003' and most recently 'Server 2008'. A significant number of organisations still use 2003 as their operating platform, & don't plan to change. It is more probable that platform updates to 'Server 2008' will end up being needed by businesses that have to by pass a generation or two, from 'NT' or '2000'. You'll locate further information on 'Microsoft' Networking & Server Operating-Systems under the 'MCSE/MCSA' web-pages, including information about the 'Server 2003' vs Server 2008 question.

Visual Studio is the primary 'Windows' software development environment, and is exclusively owned by 'Microsoft'. They provide several languages, with C#.Net and 'VB.Net' ('Visual Basic') currently being the most extensively used. Advice on both of these 'languages' is included in the Programming area of this website. The main certifications are currently the MCTS and 'MCPD' (having superseded the older MCAD and MCSD.)

Structured Query Language or SQL is a dedicated language for interrogating 'Databases'. Structured Query Language is key to how information is stored on a Database & extracted from it. Consequently knowledge of the language is critical for anybody who is aiming for a professional Database position. There are two paths for database professionals - 'Database Administrators' who deal with & create reports on the data being held, & Database Developers, who are the Designers and creators of 'databases'. Database-Developers usually also learn programming-skills to enable them to create database-software - this requires a different certification in 'VB' or C#.

Over the years, it has to be said, MS have established more and more professional accreditations - which has meant that various other companies in the industry have been forced to enhance their offerings. So much so that the entire I.T. world & particularly senior managers regard skilled professional MS certifications with great respect.

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