1. MICROSOFT CERTIFICATIONS YOUR BLUEPRINT TO SUCCESS Visar Ramajli MS Department Manager Company: CACTTUS
Slide purpose:
Title slide
Intended Audience
Individual candidates looking to get certification

2. Customers value certification Why certify?
Agenda
Customers value certification
Why certify?
Certification leads to higher productivity
Microsoft certification paths
IT Professional certifications
Developer certifications
Microsoft Skills Assessment and Practice Tests
Learning cycle for success
Steps to certification
Slide purpose:
Summary slide

3. CUSTOMERS VALUE CERTIFICATION
“Preparation for certifications requires that you cover all aspects of the product or technology you're studying, and this often means that you cover things that you didn't know existed in the product or technology. For new technologies, it is also often difficult to determine what you should be looking at. This is where the exam guidelines are crucial, because they ensure that you concentrate on the right things.”
Jonathan Blair, MCSD for .NET
Edinburgh, Scotland
“Becoming certified on Windows 2000 really helped turn things around for me. It meant I was being taken more seriously by employers and colleagues alike. It’s a true measure of your skill, of what you know—it’s not just a ‘paper’ certification. And from a financial standpoint, Microsoft certification is gold; it helps you to get great financial rewards.”
Jamie Barry, MCP
Manchester, England
Slide purpose:
Show customer testimonials on value of getting certified
For more information on these and other MCP success stories, visit
Jonathan Blair – MCSD for .NET – Edinburgh, Scotland
“Preparation for certifications requires that you cover all aspects of the product or technology you're studying, and this often means that you cover things that you didn't know existed in the product or technology. For new technologies, it is also often difficult to determine what you should be looking at. This is where the exam guidelines are crucial, because they ensure that you concentrate on the right things."
Leticia Banffy – MCSA, MCSE, MCT – Sao Paulo, Brazil
Microsoft certification has helped my career; it has given me credibility and opened doors. I am using my certification to teach classes, to do IT consulting for companies, and to publish articles
Jamie Barry – MCP – Manchester, England
"Becoming certified on Windows 2000 really helped turn things around for me," says Barry. "It meant I was being taken more seriously by employers and colleagues alike. It’s a true measure of your skill, of what you know—it’s not just a ‘paper’ certification. And from a financial standpoint, Microsoft certification is gold; it helps you to get great financial rewards."
“Microsoft certification has helped my career; it has given me credibility and opened doors. I am using my certification to teach classes, to do IT consulting for companies, and to publish articles.”
Leticia Banffy, MCSA, MCSE, MCT
Sao Paulo, Brazil

4. WHY CERTIFY? Improved project delivery Less unscheduled downtime
Less external support
Higher end user satisfaction
Slide purpose:
Convey high-level benefits for certification. The slides that follow provide additional positioning and evidence.
Certified individuals:
Are better able to successfully deploy projects – on time and on budget
Require less external support, which lowers costs
Are better able to keep systems up and running, increasing reliability
Promote higher levels of satisfaction for the end users that rely on your systems

5. MICROSOFT CERTIFICATION PROVIDES VALUE TO INDIVIDUALS
The most effective, efficient way to prove the skills you have gained.
Helps you assess, acquire, and maintain job-relevant skills
Structure
Slide purpose:
Customer research, including customer satisfaction surveys, has validated that individuals and organizations highly value Microsoft certification.
The key value propositions for individuals include:
Structure
Recognition
Community
Benefits
The Microsoft Certified Professional program offers many benefits, including:
Increased opportunity and recognition
Industry recognition of your knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft products and technologies.
Access to technical and product information directly from Microsoft through a secured Web site.
MCP logo and certificate to enable you to identify your Microsoft Certified Professional status to colleagues and clients.
Invitations to Microsoft conferences, technical training sessions, and special events.
Other benefits may also apply, depending on the certification.
Enable and advance your career with proven job-role expertise with the most industry-recognized, job-relevant certifications
Recognition
Be a part of a worldwide community of experts where you can participate and learn in newsgroups, Web chats, and other events
Community
Special access to reference and learning tools, and other special offers
Benefits

6. MICROSOFT CERTIFICATION HELPS YOU PROVIDE VALUE TO ORGANIZATIONS
The most reliable way to know that your IT staff is qualified.
Improves project delivery, reduces downtime, and improves satisfaction
Higher Productivity
Slide purpose:
Describe the value propositions for Business Decision Makers (BDMs) for having certified staff
Companies with greater than 60% certified staff deploy projects on time and within budget 80% of the time. Microsoft Certifications ensure you have the right skills to get the job done on time.
Through certification, organizations can maximize the return on investment in Microsoft technology. Research shows that Microsoft certification provides organizations with:
Promotes technical readiness for the adoption of Microsoft .NET and reduces the risk of technology deployments
Increases customer satisfaction and decreases support costs through improved service, increased productivity, and greater technical self-sufficiency.
Provides a reliable benchmark for hiring, promotions, and career planning
Ensures that an organization is built on top-quality talent and provides assurance of vendor qualifications when outsourcing development work
An excellent return on training and certification investments by providing a standard method of determining training needs and measuring results.
Recognition and rewards for productive employees by validating their expertise and provides retraining opportunities for existing employees so they can work more effectively with new technologies.
Provides a reliable benchmark for hiring, developing, and retaining talented staff
Skills Validation
Reduces external support costs through greater self-sufficiency
Reduced Support

7. BRING HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY TO YOUR ORGANIZATION
PERCEIVED VALUE OF CERTIFICATION
% OF RESPON-DENTS
MEAN SCORE
Will increase effective implementation of new products, technologies, and/or solutions
78%
4.0
Will improve the level of support offered to end users
75%
3.9
Will increase system uptime
68%
Is worth the time/cost
71%
3.8
Is something I would recommend to other companies like mine
63%
3.7
Will ensure quality IT staff
64%
3.6
Will reduce operating costs
49%
3.5
Will increase IT employee retention
46%
3.2
70% of partners consider certified staff more productive
Slide purpose:
Show evidence of increased productivity through certification
Research:
IDC, Relationship Between Certifications and Partnership Programs: Alignment Is Key, The Study # Dec 2002 by Cushing Anderson, Steve McHale
IMPACT OF CERTIFICATION ON PRODUCTIVITY
The bottom line on certification is that it only matters if it works. Are certified staff more productive than their uncertified colleagues? Yes. (See diagram.)
In the absence of other data, certified staff are considered more productive — and therefore a better value — than uncertified staff. A partner that has a strong certified staff will be considered a better value by its clients.
For certification sponsors, certification is seen as a demonstration of commitment. Its absence sends the wrong message.
"% of respondents" represents those respondents choosing 4 or 5 on a scale of 1 to 5.
Agreement scores are based on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being "do not agree" and 5 being "very much agree."
Source: IDC's Certification Survey, May 2002
IDC Study, December 2002

8. BRING HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY TO YOUR ORGANIZATION
As the percentage of Microsoft Certified staff within the IT organization increases:
More projects are deployed on time and within budget
Unscheduled downtime decreases
End user satisfaction increases
Slide purpose:
Show additional evidence for how certification increases productivity
Source: Value of Microsoft Training and Certification, Burlington, April 2003

9. YOU CAN SUPPORT YOUR ORGANIZATION
As the percentage of Microsoft Certified staff within an IT organization increases, a smaller percentage of the annual IT budget is spent on ad-hoc external IT support
Slide purpose:
Show evidence of how support costs are reduced through certification
Individuals who can save budget dollars for external support are quite valuable to organizations.
Individuals can take pride in realizing their own technical self-suffiency.
Source: Value of Microsoft Training and Certification, Burlington, April 2003

10. MICROSOFT CERTIFICATION PATHS
Slide purpose:
Microsoft Certification overview
Certifications help you to enable and advance your career.
There are three certification tracks: (1) Developer, (2) IT Professional, and (3) Database Administrator
Microsoft certification enables computer professionals to assess and demonstrate their software-related skills. The exams measure the ability to perform specific job functions.
Microsoft currently offers six different certification tracks.
IT PROFESSIONAL
The Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician credential (MCDST) is for individuals who have demonstrated the baseline skills to enter the IT industry as a support desk technician in a Windows-based desktop environment.
The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator credential (MCSA) is designed for professionals who implement, manage, and troubleshoot existing network and system environments. You can also demonstrate a specialty in messaging or security within this job role.
The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer credential (MCSE) is the premier certification for professionals who analyze the business requirements and design and implement the infrastructure for business solutions. You can also demonstrate a specialty in messaging or security within this job role.
DEVELOPER
The Microsoft Certified Application Developer credential (MCAD) is for developers who use Visual Studio .NET and the .NET Framework to develop, deploy, and maintain department-level applications and components for Windows and the Web. These developers also build enterprise solutions incorporating data services and XML Web services.
The Microsoft Certified Solution Developer credential (MCSD) is the premier certification for professionals who design and develop leading-edge business solutions with Microsoft development tools, technologies, platforms, and the Microsoft Windows® architecture.
DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR
The Microsoft Certified Database Administrator credential (MCDBA) is the premier certification for professionals who implement and administer Microsoft SQL Server™ databases.
Choose the certification that is right for you. An MCP can pursue a number of paths. For example, you could earn the MCAD credential, and then ultimately one of the career advancing certifications, such as MCSD. This particular path is especially straight-forward because all the exams in the MCAD path also count towards MCSD certification. The MCAD credential requires three exams, whereas MCSD requires five. Once you have the MCAD credential, you’d only need to pass two more exams to become MCSD certified. This overall certification framework allows a lot of flexibility depending on your goals and skills, as well as the needs of your organizations and clients.

11. IT PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
Slide purpose:
Title slide

12. TECHNOLOGY LIFECYCLE: WHERE DO CERTIFICATIONS FIT IN?
DESIGN
PLAN
IMPLEMENT
MANAGE
MAINTAIN
SERVER / NETWORK
CLIENT / DESKTOP
Slide purpose:
Distinguish job roles of MCSE, MCSA, and MCDST
Note how maintenance falls into two primary areas: server/network and client/desktop. MCDST handles the client/desktop, whereas MCSA handles maintenance of servers and networks.
The job roles are progressive. MCDST does count as elective credit toward MCSA. And MCSA counts as elective credit toward MCSE.
In fact, for the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 track, all MCSEs are also MCSAs (for the Microsoft Windows 2000 track, it was possible to be an MCSE without also being an MCSA).

13. MCDST, MCSA, OR MCSE: WHICH CERTIFICATION IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Choose MCDST if you:
Choose MCSA if you:
Choose MCSE if you:
Want to pursue an IT career and need to enhance baseline support skills on the Microsoft Windows Desktop Operating System. OR
Work in a service desk position and want to validate your skills and further your career growth potential.
Implement, manage, and maintain the typically complex computing environment of medium-sized to large companies.
Have sufficient hands-on experience with implementing, managing, and maintaining desktop and network operating systems and managing and maintaining a network infrastructure.
Design, plan, and implement Microsoft Windows Server solutions and architectures in medium-sized to large companies.
Have at least one year of experience designing, planning, implementing, and analyzing business solutions with Microsoft products and technologies.
Slide purpose:
What is the difference between MCDST, MCSA, and MCSE?
Which certification should you choose?
The Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) credential is an entry point into a career as an IT professional. Candidates for this credential work in small- to medium-sized computing environments supporting end-users that use Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional as a desktop operating system. They have either completed technical training on supporting Windows XP Professional and Windows 2000 Professional or have a minimum of six months of experience supporting and trouble-shooting any desktop operating system in a workgroup or domain network environment.
The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification is designed for professionals who implement, manage, and maintain existing network and system environments based on Microsoft Windows® 2000 platforms, including Windows® Server Implementation responsibilities include installing and configuring parts of the systems. Management responsibilities include administering and supporting the systems.
The MCSA credential offers IT professionals a competitive edge in today’s constantly changing business environment. This Microsoft credential validates the specific skills required for the network and systems administrator job role. The certification provides employers with a means to identify those qualified individuals who have the appropriate skills set to do the job successfully. And Hiring managers indicate that certified professionals provide a higher level of services to the organization.
MCSAs typically do not deploy new networks and systems as part of their job function, as is expected of individuals holding the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) credential. The MCSE is the premier certification for professionals who analyze the business requirements and design and implement the infrastructure for business solutions.
Unlike MCSEs, MCSAs are not expected to have design skills.
MCSE requirements exceed the skill set needed by systems administrators.
MCSEs focus on designing, planning, and implementing
MCSAs focus on day-to-day implementing, management, and maintaining (support and troubleshooting)

14. FOCUS ON MESSAGING WITH SPECIALIZATIONS
MCSA: Messaging
Identifies systems administrators who implement, manage, and maintain a messaging infrastructure using Microsoft Exchange Server.
MCSE: Messaging
Identifies systems engineers who design, plan, implement, manage, and maintain a messaging infrastructure using Microsoft Exchange Server.
Candidates typically have at least one year of experience deploying a Microsoft Exchange Server environment on the Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 operating system.
Slide purpose:
Highlight the new MCSA: Messaging and MCSE: Messaging certification specializations.
MCSA: Messaging and MCSE: Messaging
The MCSA: Messaging certification identifies systems administrators who implement, manage, and maintain a messaging infrastructure using Microsoft Exchange Server. Certification candidates are systems administrators who typically have at least one year of experience administering a Microsoft Exchange Server environment on the Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 operating system.
The MCSE: Messaging certification identifies systems engineers who design, plan, implement, manage, and maintain a messaging infrastructure using Microsoft Exchange Server. Certification candidates are systems engineers who typically have at least one year of experience deploying a Microsoft Exchange Server environment on the Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 operating system.

15. FOCUS ON SECURITY WITH SPECIALIZATIONS
MCSA: Security
Identifies systems administrators who specialize in managing, maintaining, and implementing security on the Windows platform and as part of a secure computing environment.
MCSE: Security
Identifies systems engineers who specialize in designing, planning, and implementing security on the Windows platform and as part of a secure computing environment.
Certification candidates are systems administrators and systems engineers who typically have at least one year of experience in a security-focused job role.
Slide purpose:
Highlight the new MCSA: Security and MCSE: Security certification specializations.
MCSA: Security and MCSE: Security
The MCSA: Security certification identifies systems administrators who specialize in managing, maintaining, and implementing security on the Windows platform and as part of a secure computing environment. Certification candidates are systems administrators who typically have at least one year of experience in a security-focused job role.
The MCSE: Security certification distinguishes systems engineers who specialize in designing, planning, and implementing security on the Windows platform and as part of a secure computing environment. Certification candidates are systems engineers who typically have at least one year of experience in a security-focused job role.

16. DEVELOPER CERTIFICATIONS
Slide purpose:
Title slide

17. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CYCLE TIMELINE
DESIGN
ANALYZE
DEVELOP
TEST
DEPLOY
MAINTAIN
Slide purpose:
Distinguish the job roles of an MCAD and MCSD
The timeline for development is measured in different stages than for IT Pro deployment.
The job skills for MCAD are a complete subset of an MCSD. But even though an MCSD is involved with all phases of development, their primary focus is on analysis and design. Developing (coding) and testing (and beyond) is then often handed down to more junior developers.

18. MCAD OR MCSD: WHICH CERTIFICATION IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Choose MCAD if you:
Choose MCSD if you:
Develop, test, deploy, and maintain department-level applications, components, Web or desktop clients, or database and network services using Microsoft tools and technologies.
Have one to two years of experience building, deploying, and maintaining applications.
Analyze and design leading-edge enterprise solutions with Microsoft development tools, technologies, and platforms.
Have at least two years of experience in a lead developer role analyzing business and technical requirements, and defining solution architecture.
Slide purpose:
Differences between job functions and skills for MCAD and MCSD
Choose MCSD if you:
Analyze and design leading-edge enterprise solutions with Microsoft development tools, technologies, and platforms.
Have at least two years of experience in a lead developer role analyzing business and technical requirements, and defining the solution architecture.
Examples of job titles: Software Engineer, Software Development Engineer, Software Architect, Consultant
Choose MCAD if you:
Develop, test, deploy, and maintain department-level applications, components, Web or desktop clients, or back-end data services by using Microsoft tools and technologies.
Have one to two years of experience building, deploying, and maintaining applications.
Examples of job titles: Programmer, Programmer/Analyst, Software Developer

19. ASSESS YOUR SKILLS What is Microsoft Skills Assessment?
Objective, test-based diagnostic learning tool.
Free, online, unproctored delivery
Tells you if you’re ready to implement or manage a given Microsoft solution
Determines skills gaps, recommends learning plans with Official Microsoft Learning Products, along with other content suggestions
Slide purpose:
Provide overview of Microsoft Skills Assessment
Microsoft Skills Assessment is an objective, test-based diagnostic learning tool that is delivered online for free. It’s a way for IT Pros, Developers and organizations to quickly see if they are ready to implement or manage a Microsoft technology solution. Benefits include a Personalized Learning Plan to improve readiness, and there’s also a way to measure how they did compared with others who took the same assessment.

20. ASSESSMENTS AVAILABLE TODAY
Evaluate
Secure
Migrate
Deploy
Analyze
Communicate
Evaluate
Develop for Windows
Develop for Web
Deploy
Manage
Implement
Slide purpose:
List assessments currently available (as of January 2004).
This slide lists the products for which assessments currently exist. One or more assessments measure the topic areas mentioned in the slide. New assessments are in development and will be posted on the Web site at
This is the complete list of currently available assessment titles:
Microsoft Office 2003
Evaluate
Introduction to Microsoft Office 2003 Editions
Analyze
Collecting, Organizing, and Analyzing Data
Communicate
Collaboration and Document Sharing
Communication, Graphics, and Media
Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Introduction to Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003
Secure
Managing the Deployment of Service Packs and Security Updates
Protecting the Perimeter of Networks
Migrate
Migrating from Microsoft Windows NT® 4.0 Directory Service to Windows Server 2003: Planning
Migrating from Windows NT 4.0 Directory Service to Windows Server 2003: Deploying
Deploy
Deploying Windows Server 2003 Networking Services: Name Resolution
Deploying Windows Server 2003 Networking Services: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
Deploying Windows Server 2003 Networking Services: Remote Access
Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2003
Implement
Implementing and Managing Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2003
Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
Introduction to Microsoft .NET for Developers: Microsoft Visual Basic® .NET
Introduction to .NET for Developers: Microsoft Visual C#® .NET
Develop for Windows
Developing Enterprise Windows®-based Applications with .NET: Rich Client--Visual Basic® .NET
Developing Enterprise Windows®-based Applications with .NET: Rich Client--Visual C#® .NET
Developing Enterprise Windows®-based Applications with .NET: Data Access--Visual Basic® .NET
Developing Enterprise Windows®-based Applications with .NET: Data Access--Visual C#® .NET
Develop for Web
Developing Enterprise Web-based Applications with .NET: ASP.NET--Visual Basic® .NET
Developing Enterprise Web-based Applications with .NET: ASP.NET--Visual C#® .NET
Developing Enterprise Web-based Applications with .NET: Data Access--Visual Basic® .NET
Developing Enterprise Web-based Applications with .NET: Data Access--Visual C#® .NET
Developing Enterprise Web-based Applications with .NET: Web Services--Visual Basic® .NET
Developing Enterprise Web-based Applications with .NET: Web Services--Visual C#® .NET
Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
Introduction to Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
Deploying a Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Organization
Manage
Managing a Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Organization
See more information at

21. PRACTICE TESTS
Practice tests help you determine if you are ready to take a certification exam.
Microsoft Certified Practice Test Providers (PTPs) help MCP candidates select the highest quality products and services.
Microsoft performs quality reviews on all PTP practice tests, and only approved PTPs bear the Microsoft Certified Practice Test Provider logo.
In addition to practice tests, PTP services include:
Exam results reported by objective.
Feedback for each question, with study suggestions.
Large question pools with random presentation of question and answer choices.
For more information, visit:
Slide purpose:
Introduce Practice Tests
Distinguish them from assessments and certification exams
Vendors in the Practice Test Provider (PTP) Program include:
MeasureUp
Self Test Software
Unlike Microsoft Skills Assessments, which are project-based measurements of your skill level, practice tests very much mirror the content you’re likely to encounter on a live certification exam, which measures comprehensive job-role skills.
The key distinction between practice tests and certification exams is:
Practice tests are a true learning tool, in that they provide extensive feedback for each question on the test, so you can further grow your skills. Certification exams provide much more limited feedback since they are designed to objectively measure existing skills rather than improve them.

22. LEARNING CYCLE FOR SUCCESS
Slide purpose:
This slide shows the overall cycle of learning and assessing skills, whether it’s an initial Microsoft Skills Assessment or achieving a certification.
Note there is a full cycle. Even after certifying, skills can continue to grow, especially as technology continues to change.

23. STEPS TO CERTIFICATION… …AND YOUR SUCCESS!
Decide which certification is right for you
Gain hands-on experience with Microsoft products and solutions
Supplement your experience with training
Review exam preparation guide
Take a practice test
Register for an exam
Slide purpose:
Closing slide. Provide closing calls-to-action to your customers.
Decide Which Certification Is Right for You Microsoft offers certifications focused on specific areas of expertise and ranges of job skills. Decide which certification is appropriate for you, based on your experience, skills, and interests.
Gain Hands-on Experience with Microsoft Products and Solutions The premier certifications (MCSE, MCSD, MCDBA) require at least one year of experience working with related Microsoft products and solutions. Recommended experience for the other certifications range from 6–12 months.
Supplement Your Experience with Training
Use training resources to supplement your skills and experience.
Read the Exam Guide
Using the Exam Preparation Tip Sheet ( search for the exam prep guide of the exam you plan to take. Read the prep guide thoroughly.
Assess your current skills with a practice test
Microsoft Skills Assessment is an objective, test-based diagnostic learning tool that is delivered online for free. It’s a way for IT Pros, Developers and organizations to quickly see if they are ready to implement or manage a Microsoft technology solution. Benefits include a Personalized Learning Plan to improve readiness, and there’s also a way to measure how they did compared with others who took the same assessment.
You may also want to assess your skill level by taking a practice test. Although your score on a practice test will not necessarily indicate what your score would be on a certification exam, a practice test does assess your readiness and lets you know in what areas you need work. Microsoft's Certified Practice Test Provider program evaluates practice tests, ensuring the highest quality.
Register for an Exam
When you feel sufficiently prepared to take an exam, find out how to register for an exam. Pearson VUE and Prometric administer all MCP exams.

24. Certifications in depth.
More detailed information on every certification, as well as other Microsoft Learning products, are contained within this appendix. Depending on the audience to whom you’re presenting, you can pull these slides into the main part of the presentation deck.

25. GAIN NEW SKILLS WITH OFFICIAL MICROSOFT LEARNING PRODUCTS
Microsoft Official Course
Microsoft Official Workshop
Microsoft Official Clinic
Microsoft Official Seminar
Microsoft Official Course (available Now) Formerly known as Microsoft Official Curriculum, the Microsoft Official Course is typically a three- or five-day product targeted at a specific audience or job role, such as; systems architect, systems engineer, systems administrator, solution developer, or application developer. Courses are typically designed to address the needs of learners engaged in Microsoft technology planning, design, implementation, management, and support phases of the technology adoption lifecycle. They provide detailed information by focusing on concepts and principles, reference content, and in-depth hands-on labs to ensure knowledge transfer. Typically the content of a course is broad, addressing a wide range of tasks necessary for the job role. Product features include slides, demonstrations, practices, hands-on labs, extensive student and instructor lecture notes, reference materials and inline assessment questions. Corresponding eLearning products will be offered as standard or premium courses from just-the-essentials to a highly interactive, media-rich experience.
Microsoft Official Workshop (available now on Microsoft Windows Server 2003) A workshop is typically a two- or three-day product targeted primarily at technology implementers such as systems administrators and application developers. They are designed to provide narrowly targeted, in-depth, hands-on knowledge to experienced professionals that need to learn to master new tasks or technologies at a rapid pace. Workshops require learners to have adequate practical knowledge of Microsoft technologies to be successful. Workshops are designed to facilitate dynamic student-to-student interaction through practical lab exercises and challenges, and de-emphasize the role of the instructor as a lecturer. The dynamic nature of Workshops provides opportunities to explore project planning, deployment scenarios, and explore new technology features. The content of each Workshop is focused on a specific technical problem, scenario, or task required of professionals on the job. eLearning for Workshops are designed to offer a self-paced, hands-on experience. Product features include hands-on labs, slides, demonstrations, instructor notes and reference materials.
Microsoft Official Clinic (coming Soon) A clinic is typically a 1 day product targeted primarily at technical decision makers, other senior IT personnel, and technology implementers such as systems engineers and application developers. Clinics are focused on a technical solution, and are designed to move these target groups of technology influencers through the product evaluation/purchase process through demonstrations, and deep explanations of specific feature sets of the new products and technologies. Product features include slides, demonstrations, instructor notes, and reference materials.
Microsoft Official Seminar (coming Soon) A seminar is typically a 1 day product targeted primarily at business decision makers. They are designed to create awareness of new products, technologies, or methodologies early in the purchase decision cycle, and allow participants to more effectively evaluate, consider, and purchase new products and technologies with a high degree of confidence. Seminars provide high level information focused on a business solution including product positioning, business strategy and organizational benefits. Product features include slides, demonstrations, instructor notes, and reference materials (handouts, white papers, book recommendations, etc).

26. LEARN AT YOUR OWN PACE WITH MICROSOFT PRESS BOOKS
Microsoft Press books provide an additional way to learn technology skills.
Self-paced training is a good take-home solution for reference and supplements classroom learning.
For information on certification book titles, visit
Main talking points:
Other supplemental training options
The Self Paced Training Kits from Microsoft Press offer your students an alternative way to learn. The Resource Kits and Administrator’s Pocket Consultants from Microsoft Press have proven to be a valuable reference material for IT Pros and Developers to have by their side outside the classroom.
Offering this complete solution to your students will help them know that you provide them more training choices, making them want to come back to you more often for their learning needs. They know they can trust you and that you have the “all-up” training solutions.
There is a Self-Paced Training Kit that maps to all core and elective exams and courses. Students can use these kits for lessons, hands-on-exercises and electronic practice tests. When I studied in university or in any of my continuing education courses I found that any additional materials were helpful. These books provide students with additional preparation to the course when at home!
NOTE: Training Kits for the core exams now contain a 15% discount exam voucher (expires Dec 31, 2004), which is redeemable at Prometric or VUE. You can identify these books that have these vouchers with the starburst ad on the front cover (as pictured on this slide).

27. IT PROFESSIONAL AUDIENCE TAXONOMY
Windows Core Audience Focus
Tier 4, Architect - Strategic: Analyzes, designs enterprise as a whole. Budget and purchase decisions. Collaborates with business departments.
Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier 3
Tier 4
Tier 4
Tier 3, Engineer - Tactical: Analyzes and designs within single technology. Implements technology. Handles complex troubleshooting, escalations from Admins.
Tier 3
Tier 2, Administrator - Operational: Day to day Server and software troubleshooting. Performs operating system management and support.
Through an extensive IT Professional job task analysis, Microsoft identified 4 core audiences for IT professionals. Microsoft currently provides training and certification offerings for two of these audiences; Tier 2 (systems administrators) and Tier 3 (systems engineers).
The breakdowns of duties and technologies within each job role is provided on the next slide.
Tier 2
Tier 1, Help Desk - Support: Day to day client OS, application, hardware troubleshooting. Follows prescriptive guidelines. End user phone support
Tier 1

28. JOB TASK ANALYSIS: JOB TASK MATRIX
Analyze
Design
Deploy, Install, Configure
Manage
Monitor & Optimize
Trouble-shoot, Repair, Restore
System Arch SE
SE/SA
Security SA
Net Infra
Resources OS HW
Reliability & Availability
Duties
Technologies
Key JTA Conclusions
JTA results demonstrated that:
SA primary duties: Install, Configure, Monitor & Optimize, Manage, and Troubleshoot
SA primary technology areas: Hardware, Resources, Network Infrastructure, and Reliability and Availability
SE primary duties: Plan (Design), Deploy, Troubleshoot, and Optimize
SE primary technology areas: Security, System Architecture, Network Infrastructure and Directory Services
Security and troubleshooting are pervasive throughout duties and technologies
The SA job role is the foundation of the SE job role
There is significant task overlap between job roles
60% of tasks rated as SA and SE
NOTE: The above matrix directly defined exam and course assignment

29. WINDOWS SERVER 2003 DELIVERS
Productive
Easier to deploy, configure and manage
Slide Purpose: Convey the compelling value that Microsoft Windows Server 2003 offers.
(Note: customize this presentation for your audience. When presenting to business decision makers, the current order is appropriate. When presenting to individuals and consultants, you might want to start the presentation with the next slide – and then move this “product” slide #3 to just before the Formula slide #7.)
Script:
Windows Server 2003 delivers improved productivity, dependability, connectivity, and best economics. Let me explain the high level thinking on each of these “pillars”.
First productivity… The server should continue to work more and more on your behalf so that you can concentrate on the most vital aspects of your business.
Dependability… Microsoft is relentless in their quest to improve the dependability of our platform. Their trajectory since NT4 is clear. They’ve made quantum leaps in security, reliability, availability and scalability in each release.
Connectivity… The ability for workers to discover and connect to the data and applications they need, no matter where they are, is now more relevant than ever. Not only that, but having an infrastructure that hides much of the complexity of building applications for this connected environment is critical to your productivity and success.
Lastly best economics… from the beginning Microsoft has cultivated, a “partner ecosystem” around their platform. The ecosystem provides a tremendous level of support for Windows Server though training, development and deployment expertise, tools, applications, etc., ensuring that your investment in Windows is successful. Microsoft believes that this support network and the improvements they’ve made to the product have improved on what was already the best economics of any server platform in the world.
Dependable
End-to-end security greater reliability and increased performance
Connected
Quickly build and deploy connected solutions
Best Economics
Leverage extensive partner solution resources to maximizing business opportunity

30. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND LEARNING RESOURCES
Slide purpose:
Summary slide. The slides that follow go over the certification requirements and learning resources.

31. MCDST
This is a title slide. In-depth information is on the following slides.

32. MCDST AT A GLANCE Target audience: Typical job titles for MCDST:
Job role represents an entry point into a career as an IT professional.
Candidates work in small- to medium-sized computing environments
Support end-users that use Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Windows 2000 Professional as a desktop operating system.
Typical job titles for MCDST:
Help Desk Technician
Customer Support Representative
PC Support Specialist
Technical Support Representative
Experience:
MCDST is an entry-level certification
Have completed technical training on supporting Windows XP Professional and Windows 2000 Professional OR Have a minimum of six months of experience supporting and trouble-shooting any desktop operating system in a workgroup or domain network environment.
Exam requirements:
2 core exams
Slide purpose:
Overview of MCDST certification

33. MCSA
This is a title slide. In-depth information is on the following slides.

34. MCSA AT A GLANCE Target audience: Typical job titles for MCSA:
IT professionals who manage and maintain networks and systems based on the Microsoft Windows Server operating system.
Typical job titles for MCSA:
Network Administrator
Systems Administrator
Information Technology Engineer
Information Systems Administrator
Network Technician
Experience:
An MCSA candidate should have sufficient, hands-on experience with:
Implementing, managing, and maintaining a desktop operating system
Implementing, managing, and maintaining a network operating system
Managing and maintaining a network infrastructure
Exam requirements:
3 core exams
1 elective exam
Slide purpose:
High-level information for the MCSA certification
Note that upgrade paths can reduce the exam requirements to as few as one exam. Upgrade information is presented later in this slide deck.

35. MCSA: SECURITY
This is a title slide. In-depth information is on the following slides.

36. MCSA: SECURITY AT A GLANCE
Target audience:
Experienced systems administrators who are responsible for managing, maintaining, and implementing security on Microsoft Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 and as part of a secure computing environment.
Typical job titles for MCSA:
Network Administrator
Systems Administrator
Technical Support Engineer
Information Systems Administrator
Network Technician
Experience:
Candidates should have at least one year of experience in a security-focused job role.
Exam requirements:
3 core exams
2 security specialization exams
Slide purpose:
High-level information for the MCSA: Security certification

37. MCSA: MESSAGING
This is a title slide. In-depth information is on the following slides.

38. MCSA: MESSAGING AT A GLANCE
Target audience:
Experienced systems administrators who are responsible for implementing, managing, and maintaining messaging on Exchange Server on Microsoft Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003.
Typical job titles for MCSA:
Network Administrator
Systems Administrator
Technical Support Engineer
Information Systems Administrator
Network Technician
Experience:
Candidates should have at least one year of experience in administering an Exchange Server infrastructure.
Exam requirements:
3 core exams
1 messaging specialization exam
Slide purpose:
High-level information for the MCSA: Messaging certification

39. MCSE
This is a title slide. In-depth information is on the following slides.

40. MCSE AT A GLANCE Target audience: Typical job titles for MCSE:
IT professionals who analyze the business requirements and design, plan, and implement the infrastructure for business solutions based on the Microsoft Windows Server System integrated server software.
Typical job titles for MCSE:
Systems Engineer
Technical Support Engineer
Systems Analyst
Network Analyst
Technical Consultant
Experience:
MCSE candidates should have at least one year of experience planning, implementing, and analyzing business solutions with Microsoft products and technologies.
Exam requirements:
6 core exams
1 elective exam
Slide purpose:
High-level information for the MCSE certification
Note that upgrade paths can reduce the exam requirements to as few as two exams. Upgrade information is presented later in this slide deck.

41. EXAM UPGRADE PATHS TO MCSE ON WINDOWS SERVER 2003
UPGRADE FROM MCSE ON WINDOWS 2000
Two exams required
Exam : Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000
Exam : Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSE Certified on Windows 2000
UPGRADE FROM MCSE ON WINDOWS NT 4.0
Six exams required
Elective exam requirement satisfied with MCSE on Windows NT 4.0 certification
UPGRADE FROM MCSA ON WINDOWS 2000
Four exams required
Exam
Exam AND Exam
Exam OR Exam
Upgrade from MCSE on Windows 2000
Two exams required
These 2 exams satisfy the core networking exams.
Exam : Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000
Exam : Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSE Certified on Windows 2000
The core client exam ( or ) and core design exam (70-219, , , or ) were already taken by the candidate when they earned MCSE on Microsoft Windows The elective exam requirement is satisfied with MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000 certification
Training resources:
Course 2297: Planning, Implementing, Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSE Certified on Windows 2000 (available November 2003) OR
Workshop 2207: Expert Track: Updating Systems Administrator and Engineer Skills from Microsoft Windows 2000 to Windows Server 2003
Note that Workshop 2207 may be too advanced for some students who have relatively little experience in the job role. They will have a more successful learning experience with Course 2297 instead.
Upgrade from MCSE on Windows NT 4.0
Six exams required
Elective exam requirement satisfied with MCSE on Windows NT 4.0 certification
Course 2208: Updating Support Skills from Microsoft NT 4.0 to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (3 days)
Upgrade from MCSA on Windows 2000
Four exams required
The following 3 exams satisfy the core networking exam requirements.
Exam : Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
Exam : Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure
Design exam: Exam or
The core client exam ( or ) was already taken by the candidate when they earned MCSA on Microsoft Windows 2000.
The elective exam requirement is satisfied with MCSA on Microsoft Windows 2000 certification
Training resources (for Exam ):
Course 2299: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000
OR 
Workshop 2209: Expert Track: Updating Systems Administrator Skills from Microsoft Windows 2000 to Windows Server 2003

42. MCSE: SECURITY
This is a title slide. In-depth information is on the following slides.

43. MCSE: SECURITY AT A GLANCE
Target audience:
Experienced systems engineers who are responsible for designing, planning, and implementing security on Microsoft Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 and as part of a secure computing environment.
Typical job titles for MCSE:
Systems Engineer
Information Technology Engineer
Systems Analyst
Network Analyst
Technical Consultant
Experience:
Candidates should have at least one year of experience in a security-focused job role.
Exam requirements:
Windows 2000 track
4 core exams
3 security specialization exams
Windows Server 2003 track
5 core exams
Slide purpose:
High-level information for the MCSE: Security certification

44. MCSE: MESSAGING
This is a title slide. In-depth information is on the following slides.

45. MCSE: MESSAGING AT A GLANCE
Target audience:
Experienced systems engineers who are responsible for designing, planning, and implementing an Exchange Server infrastructure on Microsoft Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003.
Typical job titles for MCSE:
Systems Engineer
Information Technology Engineer
Systems Analyst
Network Analyst
Technical Consultant
Experience:
Candidates should have at least one year of experience administering an Exchange Server infrastructure.
Exam requirements:
Windows 2000 track:
5 core exams
2 messaging specialization exams
Windows Server 2003 track:
6 core exams
Slide purpose:
High-level information for the MCSE: Messaging certification

46. MCAD
This is a title slide. In-depth information is on the following slides.

47. MCAD AT A GLANCE Target audience: Typical job titles for MCAD:
Developers who create and maintain department-level applications, components, Web or desktop clients, or back-end data services.
Typical job titles for MCAD:
Programmer
Programmer/Analyst
Software Developer
Experience:
MCAD candidates typically have at least one to two years of work experience in software development.
Exam requirements:
2 core exams
1 elective exam
Slide purpose:
High-level information for the MCAD certification

48. MCSD
This is a title slide. In-depth information is on the following slides.

49. MCSD AT A GLANCE Target audience: Typical job titles for MCSD:
Advanced developers who design and develop leading-edge enterprise solutions with Microsoft development tools, technologies, and the Microsoft .NET Framework
Typical job titles for MCSD:
Software Engineer
Application Analyst
Software Architect
Consultant
Experience:
MCSD candidates typically have at least two years of experience.
Exam requirements:
Visual Studio 6.0 track:
3 core exams
1 elective exam
Microsoft .NET track:
4 core exams
Slide purpose:
High-level information for the MCSD certification

50. DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFICATION

51. MCDBA
This is a title slide. In-depth information is on the following slides.

52. MCDBA AT A GLANCE Target audience: Typical job titles for MCSD:
IT professionals who implement and administer Microsoft SQL Server databases.
Typical job titles for MCSD:
Database Administrator
Database Analyst
Database Developer
Experience:
MCDBA candidates should have at least one year of experience working with SQL Server.
Exam requirements:
3 core exams
1 elective exam
Slide purpose:
High-level information for the MCDBA certification

54. FALEMINDERIT THANK YOU