Friday, March 20, 2015

Couple of Words About Microsoft Certification in the Unified Communication Area

Hi folks,

I have just recently obtained my MCSA: Office 365 certification. So I just wanted to share something I have discovered about certification programs with Microsoft.

As you all well know, in 2012 Microsoft returned from MCTS/MCITP certification back to MCSA/MCSE. In order to get your MCSE certification as in old good day you need first get MCSA and then pass 2 specialization tests and get your MCSE. It's a little bit easier than the original MCSE certification,as it doesn't require anymore to pass tons of other exams but rather focus on spealization.

Originally, when you were seeking MCSE: Messaging or MCSE: Communications certificate you had first to obtain MCSA: Windows Server 2012 certification first and then you could do 2 exams in either certification. However in 2014 Microsoft has introduced MCSA: Office 365 certification which is now alternate way to get your MCSA.

So now you are presented with 2 options to obtain your MCSE in UC are: you either obtain: MCSA: Windows Sever, which is actually a requirement for other MCSE certifications in Server and Desktop Infrastructure. Thus you are getting higher horizons open before you. And also, please note that this is an upgrade path from MCITP to MCSE. Or you can obtain MCSA: Office 365 and thus keep your mind focused in your specialization area. Either way would bring you to MCSE in Exchange and Lync.

So to get MCSA: Office 365 you will need to pass exams with code 70-346 and 70-347. If you want to obtain MCSE: Messaging, you will need afterwards to pass 70-341 and 70-342. By the way 70-342 is a very tough exam so prepare well and do a lot of TechNet or Exchange 2013 CHM file reading before you sit at this exam. And if you want to get your certification in MS Lync aka MCSE: Communications then you will need to pass 70-336 and 70-337. I can't say any word about the later because I haven't yet studies for them or sat at them.

However, it's worthy to mention that Microsoft is to issue new versions for all its server products and the OS, so who knows may we will face another certification routes change.

But anyway I hope this article is helpful for you to make your right decision.

Enjoy.

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