Microsoft – Certification Leader. Which Field to Choose?

Microsoft is one of the leaders in the Information Technology world. Microsoft gains this popularity due to the Windows operating system, which is the most used operating system in the world. Microsoft also has various technologies in which it is associated with such as Ms. Office suite, SQL servers, and cloud technologies. This IT giant also provides certification courses on various technologies in the world of IT. These technologies vary from the use of Ms. Office to sophisticated technology like cloud computing. This large number of choices leads to a very difficult process of picking the proper Microsoft certification course. The options available are discussed below.

Cloud

This part of Microsoft certification deals with the use of cloud technology designed specially to help business organizations to use IT. Cloud computing is a trend that is currently taking over the business world. This current craze is due to the fact that it is relatively easier and cheaper for firms to use cloud technologies and also enables them to have a wider reach. It is a relatively new direction in IT and thus Microsoft is among one of the organizations that provide a certification on it. The main technology being taught by Microsoft is Azure. Azure is a platform that is used by cloud application developers to deploy applications on the cloud. MCSE: Cloud Platform certification includes the following exams, a candidate needs to pass two of them:

    70-532 Configuring and Operating a Hybrid Cloud with Microsoft Azure Stack

    70-533 Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Implementation

    70-535 Microsoft Azure Architecture

    70-537 Hybrid Cloud configuration and operation

Mobility

The mobility part of Microsoft certification focuses on Windows 10. From the year 2016 Microsoft has sought to unite its products under its latest operating system Windows 10. Windows 10 is the current flagship of Microsoft. This part is mainly aimed at the end user. This certification level aims to instill the skills required to install and run Windows 10 Enterprise systems. Due to the popularity of Windows products, the individual certified in this field has a very high chance of employment due to the high job demand. In order to be MCSE: Mobility certified a candidate needs to pass one of the following exams:

    70-695 Planning for and Managing Devices in the Enterprise

    70-703 Administering Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager and Cloud Services Integration

    70-398 Planning for and Managing Devices in the Enterprise

Data

This arena of the Microsoft certification courses deals with the skills required in data management. This field is concerned with technologies such as SQL servers, data analytics, machine learning and business intelligence. This part basically teaches how to handle big data. Technologies like SQL servers were developed so that they could handle a lot of data with minimum effort. SQL databases are the most widely used databases in the world due to its capabilities and also its user-friendliness. Machine learning involves coming up with systems that learn our human behavior and use it to be able to serve us better. Machine learning is one of the most rapidly growing sectors in IT. Business analytics and intelligence are basically being able to interpret from the data gathered on how to better develop. This certification field will always be in demand because day by day the size of data used by various firms increase in size. One can get MCSE: Data Management and Analytics certification that will show one’s top skills in SQL administration, building complex data solutions, condaucting business intelligence data. To get this certification one needs to be MCSA certified professional in SQL Server 2012/2014 or other fields) and also needs to take on the 12 exams. The whole list is available on Microsoft official website. Some of the exams are:

    70-475 Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions

    70-762 Developing SQL Databases

    70-768 Developing SQL Data Models

Productivity

Having the MCSE: Productivity certification in this field ensures that an individual has the skills required to move a company to the cloud, improve data security, reduce data loss and increase user productivity and flexibility. From the title, it can be seen that this certification entails the use of IT to ensure that the goals of an organization are met easily. Individuals with this kind of certification are those that are found in either computer or network administration. They are considered to be at the top of the work pyramid so as to be able to oversee the effective use of IT in a company. Microsoft productivity entails 8 exams among them are the following exams:

    70-345 Designing and Deploying Microsoft Exchange Server 2016

    70-339 Managing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2016

    70-333 Enterprise Voice Deployment with Skype for Business 2015

    70-334 Core Solutions of Microsoft Skype for Business 2015

The candidate needs to pass one of them.

App Builder

Microsoft is one of the leading producers of applications in the IT sector. This certification path involves ensuring that one has the skills required to build modern mobile and or web applications using Microsoft technologies. Some of the technologies emphasized include Azure, C#, Visual Studio and HTML5. This path is ideal for programmers. The fact that Microsoft environments are the most widely used means that there will always be a high demand for Microsoft certified developers. There are 8 exams on the list to get MCSA: App Builder certification, the candidates need to choose only one. Some of the exams include:

    70-532 Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions

    70-535 Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions

    70-497 Software Testing with Visual Studio

    70 496 Administering Microsoft Visual Studio Team Foundation Server

Business Applications

Business Applications validates that an individual has the expertise to work with and manage Microsoft Dynamics 365 technologies. Microsoft Dynamics 365 technologies are basically ERP systems that are developed by Microsoft. This is used to manage business resources and ensure they are being used properly. Most companies nowadays are using ERP systems as they make compartmentalization very easy and better management. There are 6 exams on the list and the candidate needs to choose the one:

    MB2-717 Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales

    MB2-718 Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Customer Service

    MB6-895 Financial Management in Microsoft Dynamics 365

    MB6-896 Distribution and Trade in Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations

    MB6-987 Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Retail

    MB2-877 Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Field Service

In conclusion, Microsoft offers various certification paths that are suited to various individuals. These paths are dependent on the level an individual is in and also the career an individual chooses to take. The sure part is that any individual can find a path appropriate for him/her and the one that appeals one’s most. As for Microsoft certifications, they will add you value as for the real professional and to your CV as well. Wish you luck!