Courses in Microsoft deal with a wide variety of possibilities. You may be interested in training in standard Microsoft software packages, or you may be considering professional grade I.T. training to obtain a Microsoft Certified-Professional (MCP) in a number of different areas. It's essential, as with all training, to be sure of where you want to get to, and what your reasons are to reach that point, because these will greatly affect what route you take and what learning-method you use. If you're going to have a career move into IT, or want to further your prospects in the industry, then don't risk it to chance. Talk to a professional training advisor who can help you avoid the wrong things.

To many home PC users, the word Windows comes to mind once they think of Microsoft. It might also signify Microsoft 'Office', which supplies us with various popular computer applications. MS 'Word' is the company's word-processing application, known to millions around the globe. Whilst 'Excel' is the most widely used spreadsheet & 'Access' delivers database abilities to numerous organisations. The last one of the principal four software programs in Office is PowerPoint, which is commonly used for giving presentations. There is though a lot more to 'Office' as a whole, for example 'Microsoft' Outlook serves as a diary, email and messaging system.

Visual Studio is the primary Windows software program development environment, & is exclusively owned by Microsoft. They provide a variety of languages, with C#.Net & VB.Net (Visual Basic) currently being the most commonly used. You'll find out more about these by reading our specialist Programming & Development web pages. 'MCAD' and 'MCSD' qualifications have now been updated to the 'Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist' ('MCTS') and the 'Microsoft Certified Professional Developer' (MCPD).

Business and global commerce are over-whelmingly led by 'Microsoft' Network and Server Operating Systems. The standard platform for at least eight to nine out of ten office networks is thought to be Windows Server. Obviously a number of up-dates have occurred - the initial NT Server turned into 2000, then 2003 and now '2008'. A substantial number of organisations still use Server 2003 as their standard platform, and don't intend to switch. There are businesses with 'NT' or 2000 installations, & they're the ones with the most need to update to 'Server 2008'. If you refer to our MCSA and MCSE web pages, you'll learn more about Networks, Servers and the challenge of Server 2003 verses 'Server 2008'.

'Structured Query Language' or SQL is a dedicated language for interrogating 'Databases'. SQL is relevant to how data is saved on a database & extracted out of it. Therefore an understanding of the language is crucial for anyone who wants a professional level Database position. Developers (DBDs) set-up & design databases for Administrators ('DBAs') to manage, interrogate and generate reports about the information. Frequently, a Database Developer will also gain programming accreditations (either in 'VB' or C#,) in order to have the full skill set required to write Database software, as well as design the storage structures.

If you'd enjoy being a good user to assist you with your job, or study for a specialist career in a support position, there are lots of training courses to help you get there. To find out about 'Office' 2003 (XP) look at 'MOS' - 'Microsoft Office Specialist'. For Office 2007 ('Vista') skill-sets choose 'MCAS' - 'Microsoft Certified Application Specialist'. A level up from MOS and 'MCAS' is 'MCDST' - Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician, which will give you the skill-set to support other people within an office.

You may equally be looking at a more technical role within the IT industry, which would mean rather more in depth & specialist MS accreditation study. In an attempt to up-grade their professional level accreditation programs, 'Microsoft' have fairly recently restructured many of their exams. Microsoft Certified IT Professional ('MCITP') & 'Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist' (MCTS) have been introduced, though many Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) examinations remain current. Students on the MCITP programs generally work up through 'MCTS' training-paths.

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