Courses in Microsoft cover a wide variety of possibilities. You could be looking for training programs in standard Microsoft software packages, or you might be looking at professional-grade IT training to obtain a Microsoft Certified Professional (or MCP) in a variety of areas. It is very important, as with all training, to be sure of where you would like to get to, and what your motivations are to get there, because these can hugely affect what route you take and what learning-style you utilise. During your research, talk through your options with a training expert who will help you to decipher what you need from your training program at the best price & in the most appropriate learning method for you personally.

To a lot of people, 'Microsoft' suggests 'Windows' (the operating-system which controls your home PC.) The term Office could equally come to mind because many men and women equate the applications-system with the company itself. 'Word' is the company's word-processing program, known to millions around the globe. Whilst Excel is the most commonly used spreadsheet and 'Access' delivers database abilities to numerous organisations. For giving presentations, 'Office' has the software package PowerPoint, which completes the main programs within the suite. (Having said that there are lots of more within the 'Microsoft' stable, including Outlook, which is commonly used as an email, messaging and calendar solution.)

Proficient user-skills can be developed via specific 'Microsoft' accreditation tracks, and professional support skills through others. The 'MOS' (Microsoft Office Specialist) and MCAS ('Microsoft Certified Application Specialist') programs deal with the Office suite in-depth. For a certification to support other users, go into the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician, or MCDST as its known.

You might equally be thinking of a senior job in the IT field, which would mean more in depth & specialist MS accreditation training. The assessment structure at 'Microsoft' has recently experienced an important overhaul. Many career training tracks still lead to MCP accreditations, but the trend is steadily shifting towards MCITP & 'MCTS' programs ('Microsoft Certified IT Professional' and 'Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist' respectively). Students on the MCITP packages generally work up via MCTS training-paths.

Industry & global commerce are over-whelmingly directed by MS Networking & Server Operating-Systems. 'Windows' Server is utilised as the operating platform in an estimated 80-90 percent of networked offices. Of course several upgrades have occurred - the initial NT Server grew to become '2000', then 2003 & right now 2008. Commercially, Server 2003 is still the most prevalent, & it is probable that a great many organisations utilising this platform will not update to 2008. It is much more likely that platform updates to Server 2008 will end up being required by businesses that need to miss a generation or two, from NT or 2000. Further discussion regarding Server 2003 & 'Server 2008' is located on our specific 'MCSE' & MCSA training web-pages, where you will also discover more about MS Networking & Server Operating-Systems.

A unique 'language' has been designed for working on & interrogating 'Databases', referred to as 'SQL', or 'Structured Query Language'. Understanding this specific language is paramount for anyone looking at getting into databases, as it determines how information is kept and extracted. 'DBAs' (Database Administrators) effectively manage Database information and reporting, whilst 'DB Developers' setup and design 'databases'. Quite a number of Developers are programmers as well, & can create software programs for databases in either 'C#' or VB.

Over time, it has to be said, MS have developed more and more skilled professional certifications - which means that other companies in the industry have been prompted to improve their offerings. So much so that the entire IT world & particularly senior managers regard more advanced 'Microsoft' accreditations with great respect.

The main areas that MS provides certification tracks for are generally relevant to their core systems. They are namely Networking (& Server Operating-Systems), Databases (both Administration & Development) and Programming (& Software Development in Windows). Every one of these tracks has its own special set of individual accreditation groups - which can be looked over more deeply by browsing through the applicable pages on this site.

The foremost 'Windows' software development environment is called MS Visual Studio. Various 'languages' are offered, though the 2 most frequently used ones are 'C#.Net' & 'Visual Basic.Net'. You'll find out more about these on our specific Programming & Development web-pages. MCAD & 'MCSD' accreditations have been upgraded to the 'Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist' (MCTS) & the Microsoft Certified Professional Developer ('MCPD').

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