Whenever we refer to MS certifications, we are addressing an extremely wide range. At one side of the scale, you could need some instruction on 'Word' or 'Excel', on the other you might be looking for several 'MCPs' in order to get certified in IT at the professional level. It is very important, as it is with all training, to be very sure of what job you want to get to, & what your reasons are to reach that point, because these can hugely influence what track you take and what learning-method you use. If you are planning to make a career change into IT, or would like to further your career prospects within the sector, then don't leave it to chance. Speak to an industry training consultant who can help you to avoid the pitfalls.

To many men and women, Microsoft signifies Windows (the Operating System that runs your desktop computer.) The word 'Office' may equally spring to mind because many individuals associate the applications-system with the company itself. Word is Microsoft's word-processing software, known to millions around the globe. Excel is also a remarkably well-liked program for spread-sheets, followed by Access which allows us to make databases. If we add the PowerPoint presentations software then we complete the main elements generally associated with the Office group. (Having said that there are many more within the 'Microsoft' stable, including 'Outlook', which is widely used as an email, 'messaging' & diary solution.)

Visual Studio is the primary 'Windows' software development environment, and is solely owned by MS. 'C#.Net' and 'Visual Basic.Net' are generally the most popular 'languages' to learn. You can find out more about these by reading our specialist Programming pages. The most commonly accepted certifications are the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist & the Microsoft Certified Professional Developer.

Proficient user skills can be obtained through specific Microsoft certification tracks, and professional support skill-sets via others. To find out about 'Office' 2003 (XP) look at MOS - 'Microsoft Office Specialist'. For 'Office' 2007 ('Vista') skillsets opt for MCAS - Microsoft Certified Application Specialist. For an accreditation to support other users, look into the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician, or MCDST as its known.

There are various more specialist and advanced qualification tracks if your aim is to become a more senior IT more advanced. In an attempt to upgrade their skilled professional accreditation programs, 'Microsoft' have fairly recently re-designed a number of their exams. Microsoft Certified IT Professional ('MCITP') and Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) are being brought in, although many 'Microsoft Certified Professional' (MCP) exams remain current. Individuals on the MCITP packages generally work up through MCTS training-paths.

Structured Query Language or SQL is a specific language for interrogating Databases. SQL is key to how data is stored on a database and extracted from it. Therefore an understanding of the language is crucial for anybody who is aiming for a professional level database career. There are two tracks for Database experts - 'Database Administrators' who control and create reports on the information kept, & 'Database Developers', who are the designers & creators of Databases. Frequently, a Database Developer will obtain programming qualifications (either in 'VB' or C#,) in order to hold the complete skillset required to create database software, and also design the storage structures.

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