Microsoft training can mean quite a few different things. At 1 end of the scales, you could need some instruction on Word or Excel, at the other you might be interested in gaining various MCP's to get certified in I.T. at the professional level. It's extremely important, as with all training, to be sure of what job you want to get to, & what your reasons are to get there, because these can hugely influence what route you take & what learning-method you make use of. We continually suggest that if you plan to pursue IT as a profession, have a good careers discussion with an expert advisor, to make sure you don't waste either your money or time.

To the majority of Computer users, the word Windows comes up once they think about Microsoft. The term Office may similarly come to mind as many people equate the applications-system with the company itself. 'Word' is the company's word-processing program, familiar to many millions everywhere. 'Excel' is also an incredibly popular application for spread-sheets, followed by 'Access' which enables us to build databases. The next one of the key four software programs in Office is 'PowerPoint', which is commonly used for delivering presentations. In reality Microsoft have taken their 'Office' solution much further - for example with Outlook for messaging, calendar formatting & emailing.

The push towards higher professional acknowledgement and competency for IT workers has been led by Microsoft for a couple of decades now. Because of this more advanced level 'Microsoft' accreditation is very highly regarded through-out the entire world of I.T. and IT management.

You can divide up the different accreditation paths largely consistent with the systems they relate to. They are namely Networking (& Server Operating Systems), Databases (which encompasses Administration & Development) & Programming (& Software Development in 'Windows'). There are specific and very different certification groups pertaining to each of these routes; visit the relevant sectors on this website for further details.

Industry & global commerce are overpoweringly directed by 'Microsoft' Networking & Server Operating Systems. The standard platform for approximately eight to nine out of ten networked offices is thought to be 'Windows Server'. It started out as 'NT' server but it has been improved through the years to 'Server 2000', 'Server 2003' and more recently 'Server 2008'. A large amount of corporations still utilise Server 2003 as their operating platform, & do not intend to switch. It's more likely that installation up-dates to Server 2008 will be needed by companies that have to bypass a generation or two, from 'NT' or 2000. If you refer to our MCSA and MCSE web-pages, you'll find out much more about Networks, Servers and the dilemma of 'Server 2003' verses '2008'.

'Databases' have their very own language called 'SQL' ('Structured Query Language') which is needed to decipher information from a 'standardised' Database. Anyone hoping to be employed on databases professionally must first learn how to understand 'SQL', so that they can manage information effectively. There are 2 paths for Database professionals - 'Database Administrators' who control and report on the information kept, & Database Developers, who are the designers and creators of Databases. Often, a DB Developer will obtain programming accreditations (in either VB or C#,) to have the full skill set required to create Database software, and also design the storage structures.

If you would enjoy being a competent user to help you as part of your job, or study for a professional career in a supporting role, there are a number of training courses to help you get there. The 'MOS' ('Microsoft Office Specialist') & 'MCAS' (Microsoft Certified Application Specialist) packages deal with the 'Office' Suite in-depth. For a qualification that allows you to support others, check out the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician, or MCDST for short.

There are various rather more specialised and higher certification tracks if you're looking to become a more senior IT professional. 'Microsoft' have fairly recently re-vamped their accreditation structure, and whilst you will still find many tracks based upon the 'MCP' certifications, we're more and more observing the change to 'MCITP' (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) and MCTS ('Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist') packages. MCTS learning programs are usually taken as building-blocks to the MCITP.

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