Microsoft training can mean many different things. At 1 end of the scale, you may need some teaching on 'Word' or 'Excel', on the other you may be interested in gaining various 'MCP's' in order to get certified in IT at a professional grade. Whenever you're contemplating any kind of training program it is a good idea to first look at exactly what you would like to get out of it - in other words why did you begin looking for training to begin with? If you are planning to have a career change in to IT, or wish to further your career prospects within the sector, then don't risk it to chance. Talk to a professional training advisor who will help you to avoid the pitfalls.

Good user skills can be developed through certain Microsoft accreditation tracks, and commercial support skillsets via others. To learn about Office 2003 (XP) consider 'MOS' - 'Microsoft Office Specialist'. For Office 2007 (Vista) skillsets choose 'MCAS' - 'Microsoft Certified Application Specialist'. The 'MCDST' (Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician) takes this on to the next level, to ensure that you're certified to support other people.

On the other hand, you're possibly looking to get in to a professional role within the I.T. sector, and need higher level MS accreditation. In an attempt to up-grade their more advanced certification programs, Microsoft have fairly recently restructured a number of their examinations. Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) & Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) are now being introduced, however many 'Microsoft Certified Professional' ('MCP') exams remain current. Usually, the 'MCTS' qualifications are taken on the way to a full MCITP program.

'Visual Studio' is the primary Windows software development environment, and is solely owned by MS. Several languages are provided, though the two most commonly used ones are 'C#.Net' and Visual Basic.Net. Each of them are covered under the Programming pages on this web-site. MCAD & 'MCSD' accreditations have now been updated to the 'Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist' (MCTS) and the 'Microsoft Certified Professional Developer' (MCPD).

Microsoft means the operating system Windows to many people who use computers. To some, it encompasses the main 'Office' programs used, either in the home or at the office, to accomplish specific every-day functions. The most familiar application is most likely MS Word, which is a program for word-processing. Whilst Excel is the most commonly used spread-sheet and 'Access' offers database abilities to numerous organisations. The final of the principal four applications in 'Office' is 'PowerPoint', which is commonly used for delivering presentations. (Although there are many more within the Microsoft portfolio, such as 'Outlook', which is widely used as an email, messaging & calendar solution.)

'Databases' have their own unique 'language' called 'SQL' (Structured Query Language) which is used to decipher information from a standardised database. Knowledge of this 'language' is extremely important for everyone looking at moving into databases, because it determines how information is filed and extracted. Developers ('DBDs') set up & design 'databases' for 'Administrators' ('DBA's') to regulate, interpret and generate reports about the data. DB Developers normally also have programming skills in order to create database-software - this means another accreditation in Visual Basic or C#.

Corporate communications around the globe are led by Microsoft Networking & Server Operating Systems. 'Windows Server' is used as the standard operating platform in at least eighty to ninety per cent of office networks. This particular software has seen several up-grades now, beginning with 'NT' Server, after that turning into 'Server 2000', Server 2003 and right now Server 2008. A good number of commercial establishments still utilise Server 2003, & upgrading to 'Server 2008' is not likely for many. There are still companies with NT or '2000' installations, and they're the organisations with the biggest requirement to up-grade to 'Server 2008'. If you read our 'MCSA' and MCSE pages, you will learn more about Networks, Servers and the dilemma of 'Server 2003' verses '2008'.

Amongst Microsoft's great strengths through-out recent decades has to have been their thrust towards more advanced accreditation, causing various companies to comply and raise their game. As such, advanced 'Microsoft' accreditations are held in very high-regard by both IT professionals & global industry.

You can divide up the various accreditation routes fundamentally in accordance with the systems they relate to. They are specifically Networking (& Server Operating-Systems), Databases (which encompasses Administration and Development) and Programming (& Software-Development in Windows). For further information on the specifics of each training-route & certification grouping, research the main areas relating to each one on this website.

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