Courses in 'Microsoft' cover a wide variety of options. You could be searching for training in the standard MS software applications, or you may be looking at professional grade I.T. training to become a Microsoft Certified Professional (or MCP) in a number of different areas. It's essential, as it is with all training, to be sure of where you would like to get to, & what your motivations are to get there, as these can greatly influence what route you take & what learning style you make use of. As part of your research, talk through your plans with an industry specialist who can help you to decipher everything you need from the training course at the correct price and in the right learning method for you personally.

Microsoft indicates the operating-system 'Windows' to many people who use computer systems. To some, it's synonymous with the leading Office programs used, either at home or at the office, to complete particular everyday functions. 'Microsoft' 'Word' is the most widely used application for word-processing internationally. Excel is also a very well-known application for spread-sheets, along with 'Access' that allows us to build databases. For delivering presentations, Office has the software program 'PowerPoint', which completes the main applications within the suite. There is nevertheless much more to 'Office' as a whole, for example Microsoft Outlook is used as a calendar, email & messaging system.

MS Networking and Server Operating-Systems lead the corporate environment. The operating platform for at least eight or nine out of ten business networks is estimated to be Windows Server. It began as NT server but it has been enhanced through the years to Server 2000, Server 2003 & most recently 'Server 2008'. Commercially, 'Server 2003' is still the most prevalent, & its probable that lots of businesses using this platform will never update to Server 2008. It's much more likely that platform updates to '2008' will be needed by companies that have to bypass a generation or 2, from NT or '2000'. You'll come across further information on MS Networking and Server Operating Systems under the 'MCSE'/'MCSA' pages, including info on the 'Server 2003' versus 'Server 2008' question.

'Databases' possess their very own 'language' called SQL (Structured Query Language) which is needed to decipher information from a standardised Database. Anyone looking to be employed on databases professionally must learn to understand 'SQL', so that they can manage data efficiently. 'DBAs' (Database Administrators) effectively manage database information and reporting, while 'DB Developers' setup & design 'databases'. DB Developers often also have programming-skills to enable them to write database software - this means another certification in 'VB' or 'C#'.

The main areas that 'Microsoft' offers accreditation tracks for are largely related to their core systems offerings. These encompass 1) Network and Server Operating Systems, 2) Programming & Software Development within the Windows environment, and 3) Database Administration & Development. Each of these routes has it's own exclusive list of individual accreditation groups - which can be looked into in more depth by browsing through the pertinent web-pages of this site.

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