Courses in 'Microsoft' cover a multitude of options. You could be interested in training courses in standard MS software packages, or you may be looking at professional-level IT training to obtain a Microsoft Certified Professional (or MCP) in a variety of areas. Training tracks & instructing methods differ tremendously, so take care not to jump to in-accurate assumptions about courses. It's essential that your training delivers the end result you are searching for. We continually suggest that if you plan to pursue IT as a profession, have a balanced careers talk with an expert advisor, to be sure you don't squander either your money or time.

To a lot of people, Microsoft signifies 'Windows' (the Operating-System that controls your home computer.) The term Office might equally come to mind as many men and women equate the applications system with the organisation itself. Microsoft 'Word' is the most commonly used program for word-processing around the world. 'Excel' is also an exceptionally well known program for spreadsheets, as well as 'Access' that allows us to make databases. For delivering presentations, 'Office' provides the software application PowerPoint, which completes the leading packages in the suite. (Having said that there are lots of more in the 'Microsoft' stable, including 'Outlook', which is commonly used as an email, messaging & diary solution.)

One of Microsoft's over-riding strengths through-out the last couple of decades has been their push towards professional certification, triggering various organisations to follow suit and raise their standards. Because of this skilled professional level 'Microsoft' accreditation is very highly considered through-out the world of IT & IT management.

Business communications around the globe are led by Microsoft Networking and Server Operating-Systems. Windows Server is utilised as the operating platform in around 80-90 percent of office networks. It started off as 'NT' server but has been elevated over time to 'Server 2000', Server 2003 & most recently Server 2008. A significant number of companies still use 2003 as their standard platform, and don't intend to switch. There are companies with 'NT' or '2000' platforms, & they're the organisations with the biggest need to up-date to '2008'. If you look at our MCSA & 'MCSE' web-pages, you'll find out more about Networks, Servers & the challenge of 'Server 2003' verses 2008.

Microsoft own 'Visual Studio', - the foremost Windows software program development 'environment'. They offer a number of 'languages', with C#.Net & 'VB.Net' (Visual Basic) currently being the most extensively used. Advice on both 'languages' is included in the Programming and Development section of this web-site. MCAD and MCSD accreditations have been updated to the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist ('MCTS') & the Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD).

A dedicated language has been developed for implementing & interrogating 'Databases', referred to as SQL, or 'Structured Query Language'. Anybody looking to be employed with 'Databases' professionally must learn to understand 'SQL', in order to manage information effectively. DBA's (Database Administrators) essentially take care of Database information & reporting, whilst DB Developers set up and design databases. Database Developers normally also learn programming-skills in order to write database software - this requires an extra qualification in 'VB' or 'C#'.

The key areas that Microsoft provide accreditation tracks for are typically relevant to their core systems offerings. They are namely Networking (and Server Operating Systems), Databases (which encompasses Administration and Development) and Programming (and Software-Development in Windows). Each of these tracks has it's own exclusive list of individual certification groups - which may be perused more deeply by going through the appropriate web-pages on this site.

If you would like to be an exceptional user to assist you as part of your work, or study for a specialist career in a supporting position, there are lots of training programs to help you get there. To learn about 'Office' 2003 (XP) look at 'MOS' - Microsoft Office Specialist. For Office 2007 (Vista) skill-sets choose MCAS - Microsoft Certified Application Specialist. A grade up from MOS & 'MCAS' is 'MCDST' - Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician, which will give you the skills to support others in an office environment.

There are various more specialised and higher accreditation tracks if you're looking to become a senior IT professional level. The examination structure at Microsoft has fairly recently experienced an important overhaul. Many career tracks still lead to MCP qualifications, however the direction is gradually going towards MCITP and 'MCTS' programs ('Microsoft Certified IT Professional' & Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist respectively). Generally, the 'MCTS' accreditations are taken en-route to the full MCITP program.

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