Certification

and

Career Guide

Why get certified? Certifications give you a professional edge by providing globally recognized industry endorsed evidence of skills mastery, demonstrating your abilities and willingness to embrace new technologies. Verify your skills, unlock your opportunities.

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Verify your skills and unlock opportunity

Get ahead

This is an exciting time to get certified: Microsoft recently revamped and launched brand new certification

paths to reflect today's cloud-focused jobs, helping you to get hired, get ahead, be productive faster, and to

receive the recognition you deserve.

Get hired and be productive faster

Microsoft Certified Professionals spend less time interviewing and more time driving value. Adding a Microsoft

certification to your resume helps you stand out and get hired—faster. What’s more, certified new hires are fully

productive an entire month sooner than their uncertified peers, making your skills clearly stand out.

Get recognized

As a Microsoft Certified Professional, you’ll make immediate impact, helping you get noticed and move

forward quickly in your career. Compared to their peers, Microsoft certified developers are 90% more

productive and nearly 60% more efficient. This means that they make nearly twice as many applications per

year and in half the time per application.

And when you’ve been certified, you can share your achievements in a way that’s trusted and verifiable with

your Microsoft badge! Your Microsoft badge empowers you to share your certification online with your

professional network, find the employers that are looking for candidates like you, discover your salary potential,

and easily apply for jobs.

91% of hiring managers consider

certification as part of their

hiring criteria. Microsoft, Microsoft Certification

Program Satisfaction Study, April 2012

39% Certified new hires reach full

productivity 39% faster than

their peers

IDC/Microsoft, The Business Value of IT

Certification, November 2015,

38% of IT professionals claimed

certification helped them

perform complex tasks more

confidently.

Pearson VUE, The Value of IT

Certification Survey, January 2016

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Technical Certifications

Microsoft Technical Associate (MTA)

MTA is an entry-level Microsoft certification that validates the fundamental knowledge of those new to IT who

need to start building a career in Microsoft technologies. With a modest investment of time and resources,

candidates can build foundational understanding in the areas of IT Infrastructure, Database or Development

and earn a professional certification.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)

MCSA certification proves that you have the core technical skills required to build a sustainable career in IT.

MCSA certification is a required prerequisite for the expert-level MCSE and MCSD certifications.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

MCSE is an expert-level credential for IT Professionals. Holding it proves your ability to build, manage and

administer innovative cloud and on-premises solutions across multiple technologies. You must earn an

appropriate MCSA level certification before you can become an MCSE.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)

MCSD is an expert-level credential for Developers. Holding it proves your ability to develop and build innovative

cloud and on-premises solutions across multiple technologies. You must earn an appropriate MCSA level

certification before you can become an MCSD.

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Certification Categories

Microsoft's certifications align to industry-recognized areas of competence and provide flexibility to showcase

your specific skills on Microsoft products and services, including:

Mobility

The Mobility competency is designed for those looking to stand out as the expert in powerful, secure mobility

management solutions for large businesses. Key technologies:

• Microsoft Intune

• Azure Active Directory

• Azure Rights Management

• System Center Configuration Manager

• Windows System Center

Cloud Platform & Infrastructure

The Cloud Platform competency is designed for those looking to capitalize on the growing demand for

infrastructure and software as a service (SaaS) solutions built on Microsoft Azure. Key technologies:

• Windows Server

• Microsoft Azure

• Linux

• Private Cloud

Productivity

The Cloud Productivity competency is for those looking to deploy Microsoft Office cloud and hybrid solutions to

enterprise customers. Differentiate yourself with this competency as a proven cloud solution expert. Key

technologies:

• Office 365

• Exchange Server

• SharePoint Server

• Skype for Business

• Windows Server

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Data Management & Analytics

The Data Management and Analytics competency recognizes those who demonstrate expertise in specific

aspects of Microsoft Business Intelligence (BI) solutions to deliver, deploy, and support BI projects. Key

technologies:

• Microsoft SQL Server

App Builder

The App Builder competency provides resources to enable faster delivery and continuous improvement in the

software delivery organization. Key technologies:

• C#, Mobile Apps, Visual Studio

• .NET, Framework 4.5, HTML5, SQLite

• CSS3 & Javascript

• ASP.NET MVC

Business Applications

The Business Applications competency recognizes those who demonstrate expertise in specific aspects of

Microsoft Dynamics technologies. Key technologies:

• Microsoft Dynamics 365

• SQL Server

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Mobility

The Mobility competency is designed for those looking to stand out as the expert in powerful, secure mobility

management solutions for large businesses.

MCSA: Windows 10

Prove you have the expertise to configure, manage, and maintain a Windows 10 enterprise system.

What's Involved

Earning an MCSA: Windows 10 certification qualifies you for a position as a computer support specialist.

This certification requires passing the following exams:

• 70-698: Installing and Configuring Windows 10

• 70-697: Configuring Windows Devices

MCSE: Mobility

This certification validates that you have the skills needed to manage devices in today’s bring-your-own-device

(BYOD) enterprise.

What’s Involved

Earning an MCSE: Mobility certification qualifies you for a career path which can range from traditional

desktop support technician to enterprise management of BYOD devices and apps.

This certification requires passing one of the following exams:

• 70-695: Deploying Windows Desktops and Enterprise Applications

• 70-696: Administering System Center Configuration Manager and Intune

• 70-398: Planning for and Managing Devices in the Enterprise

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Cloud: Platform and Infrastructure

The Cloud Platform competency is designed for those looking to capitalize on the growing demand for

infrastructure and software as a service (SaaS) solutions built on Microsoft Azure.

MCSA: Cloud Platform

This certification demonstrates your expertise in Microsoft cloud-related technologies to reduce IT costs and

deliver more value for the modern business.

What is involved

Earning an MCSA: Cloud Platform provides the foundation for a position as a cloud administrator or

architect and is the first step on your path to becoming a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE).

This certification requires passing two of the following exams:

• 70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions

• 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions

• 70-534: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions

• 70-473: Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions

• 70-475: Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions

MCSA: Windows Server 2012

Prove your mastery of the primary set of Windows Server 2012 skills required to reduce IT costs and deliver more

business value.

What's Involved

Earning an MCSA: Windows Server 2012 certification qualifies you for a position as a network or

computer systems administrator or as a computer network specialist, and it is the first step on your path

to becoming a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE).

This certification requires passing the following exams:

• 70-410: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012R2

• 70-411: Administering Windows Server 2012R2

• 70-412: Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012R2

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MCSA: Windows Server 2016

Prove your mastery of the primary set of Windows Server 2016 skills required to reduce IT costs and deliver more

business value.

What's Involved

Earning an MCSA: Windows Server 2016 certification qualifies you for a position as a network or

computer systems administrator or as a computer network specialist, and it is the first step on your path

to becoming a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE).

This certification requires passing the following exams:

• 70-740: Installation, Storage, and Compute with Windows Server 2016

• 70-741: Networking with Windows Server 2016

• 70-742: Identity with Windows Server 2016

MCSA: Linux on Azure

This certification demonstrates your ability to design, architect, implement, and maintain complex cloud-

enabled Linux® solutions that leverage Microsoft Azure open source capabilities. It also validates your Linux

system administration skills to show that you are fluent in today’s cloud-native world.

What's Involved

Earning an MCSA: Linux on Azure is the first step on your path to becoming a Microsoft Certified

Solutions Expert (MCSE).

This certification requires passing the following exams:

• 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions

• LFCS: Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator

MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure

This certification validates that you have the skills needed to run a highly efficient and modern data center,

with expertise in cloud technologies, identity management, systems management, virtualization, storage, and

networking.

What is involved

Earning an MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification qualifies you for such jobs as cloud

administrator, cloud architect, computer support specialist, and information security analyst.

This certification requires that you have MCSA: Windows Server 2016, MCSA: Cloud Platform, MCSA:

Linux on Azure, or MCSA: Windows Server 2012 and passing one of the following exams:

• 70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions

• 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions

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• 70-534: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions

• 70-473: Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions

• 70-475: Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions

• 70-744: Securing Windows Server 2016

• 70-413: Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure

• 70-414: Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure

• 70-246: Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud

• 70-247: Configuring and Deploying a Private Cloud

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Productivity

The Cloud Productivity competency is for those looking to deploy Microsoft Office cloud and hybrid solutions to

enterprise customers. Differentiate yourself with this competency as a proven cloud solution expert.

MCSA: Office 365

This certification demonstrates your skills in transitioning to and administering cloud-hosted business applications

with Microsoft Office 365.

What's Involved

Earning an MCSA: Office 365 certification qualifies you for a position as a software as a service (SaaS)

administrator or cloud applications administrator focused on managing Office 365 business productivity

products like Exchange, SharePoint, and Skype for Business.

This certification requires passing the following exams:

• 70-346: Managing Office 365 Identities and Requirements

• 70-347: Enabling Office 365 Services

MCSE: Productivity

This certification validates that you have the skills needed to move your company to the cloud, increase user

productivity and flexibility, reduce data loss, and improve data security for your organization.

What's Involved

The Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Productivity certification validates that you have the skills

needed to move your company to the cloud, increase user productivity and flexibility, reduce data loss,

and improve data security for your organization.

Earning an MCSE: Productivity certification qualifies you for a position in network and computer systems

administration.

This certification requires that you possess MCSA Office 365, MCSA Windows Server 2012 or MCSA

Windows Server 2016 and pass one of the following exams:

• 70-345: Designing and Deploying Microsoft Exchange Server 2016

• 70-339: Managing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2016

• 70-333: Deploying Enterprise Voice with Skype for Business 2015

• 70-334: Core Solutions of Microsoft Skype for Business 2015

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• 70-331: Core Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013

• 70-332: Advanced Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013

• 70-341: Core Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013

• 70-342: Advanced Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013

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Data Management and Analytics

The Data Management and Analytics competency recognizes those who demonstrate expertise in specific

aspects of Microsoft Business Intelligence (BI) solutions to deliver, deploy, and support BI projects.

MCSA: SQL 2016 Business Intelligence Development

This certification validates your extract, transform, and load (ETL) and data warehouse skills, along with those for

implementing BI solutions using multidimensional and tabular data models and online analytical processing

(OLAP) cubes.

What's Involved

Earning an MCSA: SQL 2016 Business Intelligence Development certification qualifies you for a position

as a BI developer.

This certification requires passing the following exams:

• 70-767: Implementing a SQL Data Warehouse

• 70-768: Developing SQL Data Models

MCSA: SQL 2016 Database Administration

This certification demonstrates your skills with database installation, maintenance, configuration, and

provisioning tasks.

What's Involved

Earning an MCSA: SQL 2016 Database Administration certification qualifies you for a position as a

database administrator or infrastructure specialist.

This certification requires passing the following exams:

• 70-764: Administering a SQL Database Infrastructure

• 70-765: Provisioning SQL Databases

MCSA: SQL 2016 Database Development

This certification demonstrates your skills as a database professional, for both on-premises and cloud-based

databases.

What's Involved

Earning an MCSA: SQL 2016 Database Development certification qualifies you for a position as a

database developer.

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This certification requires passing the following exams:

• 70-761: Querying Data with Transact-SQL

• 70-762: Developing SQL Databases

MCSA: SQL Server 2012/2014

This certification demonstrates your skills and breakthrough insights in developing and maintaining the next

wave of mission-critical environments.

What's Involved

Earning an MCSA: SQL Server certification qualifies you for a position as a software as a database

developer or database analyst.

This certification requires passing the following exams:

• 70-461: Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014

• 70-462: Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014 Databases

• 70-463: Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014

MCSA: Data Science

This certification demonstrates your expertise in operationalizing Microsoft Azure machine learning and Big Data

with R Server and SQL R Services.

What is involved

Earning an MCSA: Data Science demonstrates knowledge relevant to Data Scientists and Data Analysts

positions, particularly those who process and analyze large data sets using R and use Azure cloud

services to build and deploy intelligent solutions. It is the first step on your path to becoming a Data

Management and Analytics Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE).

This certification requires passing the following exams:

• 70-773: Analyzing Big Data with Microsoft R

• 70-774: Perform Cloud Data Science with Azure Machine Learning

MCSE: Data Management and Analytics

This certification is for those intending to build a career in data management and analytics. MCSE certification

addresses a wide spectrum of fundamental technical concepts, assesses and validates your core technical

knowledge, and enhances your technical credibility.

What is involved

Earning an MCSE: Data Management and Analytics certification qualifies you for such jobs as database

analyst, database designer, and business intelligence analyst.

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This certification requires your possess your MCSA in SQL Server 2012/2014, or SQL 2016 Database

Administration, Database Development, BI Development or Data Science and passing one of the

following exams:

• 70-473: Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions

• 70-475: Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions

• 70-464: Developing Microsoft SQL Server Databases

• 70-465: Designing Database Solutions for Microsoft SQL Server

• 70-466: Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server

• 70-467: Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server

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App Builder

The App Builder competency provides resources to enable faster delivery and continuous improvement in the

software delivery organization.

MCSA: Universal Windows Platform

This certification demonstrates your expertise at implementing Universal Windows Platform apps that offer a

compelling user experience across a wide range of Windows devices.

What is involved

Earning an MCSA: Universal Windows Platform certification qualifies you for such jobs as software

developer and quality engineer.

This certification requires passing the following exams:

• 70-483: Programming in C#

• 70-357: Developing Mobile Apps

MCSA: Web Applications

Demonstrate your expertise at implementing modern web apps.

What is involved

Earning an MCSA: Web Applications certification qualifies you for a position as a web developer or web

administrator.

This certification requires passing the following exams:

• 70-480: Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3

• Or

• 70-483: Programming in C#

• And

• 70-486: Developing ASP.NET MVC Web Applications

MCSD: App Builder

This certification validates that you have the skills needed to build modern mobile and/or web applications and

services.

What is involved

Earning an MCSD: App Builder certification qualifies you for a position as an application developer.

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This certification requires that you possess either the MCSA: Universal Windows Platform or MCSA: Web

Applications and passing the following exams:

• 70-534: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions

• 70-355: Universal Windows Platform – App Data, Services, and Coding Patterns

• 70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions

• 70-487: Developing Microsoft Azure and Web Services

• 70-488: Developing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 Core Solutions

• 70-489: Developing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 Advanced Solutions

• 70-354: Universal Windows Platform – App Data, Services, and Coding Patterns

• 70-496: Administering Microsoft Visual Studio Team Foundation Server

• 70-497: Software Testing with Visual Studio

• 70-498: Delivering Continuous Value with Visual Studio Application Lifestyle Management

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Business Applications

The Business Applications competency recognizes those who demonstrate expertise in specific aspects of

Microsoft Dynamics technologies.

MCSA: Microsoft Dynamics 365

This certification demonstrates your expertise at implementing Universal Windows Platform apps that offer a

compelling user experience across a wide range of Windows devices.

What is involved

Earning an MCSA: Microsoft Dynamics 365 provides the foundation for a position as a Dynamics 365

developer, implementation consultant, technical support engineer, or system administrator and is the

first step on your path to becoming a Business Applications Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE).

This certification requires passing the following exams:

• MB2-715: Microsoft Dynamics 365 customer engagement Online Deployment

• MB2-716: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customization and Configuration

MCSA: Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations

This certification demonstrates your expertise in Microsoft Dynamics 365 technologies to implement the basic

technical and development tasks required to customize Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations. This audience

typically includes technical consultants, programmers, and IT personnel.

What is involved

Earning an MCSA: Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations provides the foundation for a position as a

Dynamics 365 developer, solution architect, or implementer and is the first step on your path to

becoming a Business Applications Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE).

This certification requires passing the following exams:

• 70-764: Administering a Microsoft SQL Database Infrastructure

• MB6-890: Microsoft Development AX Development Introduction

MCSE: Business Applications

This certification validates that you have the expertise to work with and manage Microsoft Dynamics 365

technologies. You’ll start with a foundation in Microsoft Dynamics 365 and demonstrate additional expertise in

one or more business specific areas.

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What is involved

Earning an MCSE: Business Applications provides the foundation for a position as a Dynamics 365

developer, implementation consultant, technical support engineer, or system administrator.

This certification requires you have MCSA: Microsoft Dynamics 365 or MCSA: Microsoft Dynamics 365 for

Operations and pass one of the following exams:

• MB2-717: Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales

• MB2-718: Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Customer Service

• MB6-892: Microsoft Dynamics AX – Distribution and Trade

• MB6-893: Microsoft Dynamics AX – Financials

If you have any questions about these certifications or

other IT career paths, please contact us:

800.850.9932

or

http://www.stormwindstudios.com/