MCSE vs. MCSA, MCSD & MCAD

Posted by eumikaaeris 4 Comments »

For years now the MCSE has been considered the premier Microsoft certification. Those who can tack the letters MCSE onto their name demand good salaries and the respect of their peers in the IT industry. To become an MCSE there are a total of seven required exams, which run about $125 each. This, coupled with the costs of training materials and study guides, can run well into the thousands. Although it's a good investment in your career, there is a large gap between the MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional), which requires only one exam, and the MCSE.

MCSA
The gap between the MCP and MCSE has been filled by the MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) certification. Leaving out the analysis and design of infrastructure, the MCSA focuses on managing and troubleshooting system environments. The intent being that you don't always need to know how to build an infrastructure if your job only requires that you maintain it.

MCAD
In addition to the MCSA there is the MCAD (Microsoft Certified Application Developer), and with only three exams to complete it's a relative bargain in comparison to the MCSE. According to Microsoft, "The MCAD credential is for professionals who develop and maintain department-level applications, components, Web or desktop clients, or back-end data services."

MCSD
For developers and engineers who are designing entire enterprise solutions from analysis to maintenance, there is the MCSD (Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer) with a five-exam total. If you are looking to get the MCSD you will need to look into Microsoft's new .Net certification path for MCSDs. There is no upgrade from the old MCSD to the new and resources for the new path are quickly coming available. However, the MCSD still does not have the following that the MCSE certification does. According to a 2002 Certcities.com editorial, "as of January 2, there were only 28,813 MCSDs, as compared to 436,599 MCSEs." Despite that, Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine states that MCDSs command an average base salary of $78,600, compared to $67,100 for those with MCSEs. Overall, despite new certification paths, which are becoming increasingly popular, the MCSE still reigns supreme as Microsoft's top certification.

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The Difference between MCSE and MCSA

Posted by eumikaaeris 7 Comments »

The two most important Microsoft certifications that IT executives cherish are MCSE MCSA. Each has its own importance in different domains. MCSE stands for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, whereas MCSA stands for Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator.

Let us take a look at some of the differences between the above two Microsoft certifications, which may help you to get a clearer idea about them:

MCSE, when compared to MCSA, is an advanced level certification.

As an MCSA, you need to know how to implement, manage, and troubleshoot the existing network and system environment based on the Microsoft Windows® Operating Systems.

As an MCSA, you will not have to set up new systems and networks as a part of your job function. But as an MCSE, knowledge about the design and deployment of new systems and networks is essential.

As an MCSA, you will be able to implement, manage, and maintain typically complex computing environments of medium to large sized companies. On the other hand, as an MCSE, you will be able to plan, design, and implement Microsoft Windows server solutions and architectures in medium to large sized companies.

Microsoft has offered the MCSE certification for many years. This credential is mostly about networking with Microsoft products. It is a rigorous course of study and candidates must pass seven gruelling exams to achieve the MCSE certification. The MCSA credential also is about networking with Microsoft products. However, in the case of the MCSA certification, candidates need only pass four (or perhaps fewer) equally gruelling exams to become certified.

To achieve these certifications requires a different duration of experience. To achieve the MCSA certification requires 6Â-12 months of experience of administering client and network operating systems, while to achieve the MCSE certification requires at least one year of experience to implement and administer desktop operating systems and network operating systems.

An MCSA can bag jobs such as that of a network administrator, systems administrator, network operations analyst, information systems administrator, technical support specialist, or a network technician. An MCSE can bag jobs such as that of a network engineer, systems engineer, network analyst, systems analyst, or a technical consultant.

The MCSA certification provides you credentials that represent a skill set which can be used as a platform, if you plan to later try to achieve the MCSE certification. Therefore, achievement of the MCSA certification will help you to use these credentials and acquire the MCSE certification later through an upgrade path to the MCSE norm.

If you observe carefully, these two exams specialize in two different areas, although they are similar to each other. A clear understanding of the differences between the two different MCSE MCSA certifications is required before you can choose the one which suits your profile and interest.

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Firebrand Training : First Accelerated Microsoft Licensing Certification in Europe

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Firebrand Training has launched the first accelerated Microsoft Software Licensing certification in Europe.

The new course is perfect for anyone who designs or sells licensing solutions to small and medium-sized and large organisations, typically those with from 5 to 499 devices or more.

The entire purchasing process is covered, from understanding capacity needs now, and in the future, to recommending licensing options, and then providing post-sales support.

Upon completion of the Microsoft Software Licensing course, the delegate will be able to:
• Define a licensing solution that best suits the customer's needs
• Deep knowledge about licensing for Microsoft Software-Applications

The new course will prepare and test students in the following Microsoft accreditations:
• Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Volume Licensing Specialist, Small and Medium Organizations
• Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Volume Licensing Specialist, Large Organizations

If you design and sell licensing solutions to organisations of any size, this course is perfect for you.

About Firebrand Training: 
Firebrand Training, formerly known as The Training Camp, has pioneered Accelerated Learning courses for busy IT professionals. The organisation’s innovative approach to training course delivery has led to its status as the Institute of IT Training’s “IT Training Company of the Year” for three years – something no other IT Training company has achieved.

Students are totally immersed in the subject matter, receiving an average of 12 hours intense tuition per day at a residential training site. Subject experts implement a range of teaching methodologies designed to fit with how we best understand and retain information during different periods in the day. Accelerated Learning is an attractive proposition for contractors, whose time commands very high premiums, and employers who need to minimise staff absence. Firebrand Training has an above average pass rate of 85% - confounding critics’ claims that Accelerated Learning fails to produce results.

About Firebrand Training: 
Firebrand Training was founded by Robert Chapman and Stefano Capaldo in Summer 2001 as The Training Camp. Stefano was a former student in the US and rated the company’s approach so highly that he decided to launch a programme of courses in the UK. The organisation has since been recognised by Microsoft as a Gold Partner for Learning Solutions (MCPLS) and over 17,000 students have been trained in the UK to date. The success of the company enabled the management team to relaunch as Firebrand Training, which is focused on delivering training courses specifically designed for a European market.

Firebrand Training offers a range of courses covering all major vendors such as Microsoft (MCSE, MCP, MCSA), Cisco, Oracle, Sun, and Novell, as well as specialist certifications in the areas of security, business intelligence, project and business process management.

For more details Microsoft Software Licensing course please visit our website.

Contact:
Sarah Morgan
Firebrand Training
4 Gt Portland Street
London W1W 8QJ UK
0844 888 1655
sarah.morgan@firebrandtraining.co.uk
http://www.firebrandtraining.co.uk/courses/microsoft/mcts/volume-licensing-specialist

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