Here is where I'll begin with what we know.
- All existing Windows Server 2008 MCITP: Server Administrators and MCITP: Enterprise Administrators have been granted the new MCSA certification for Windows Server 2008.
- The Windows Server 2008 MCSA is a requirement to achieve the new MCSE: Private Cloud certification.
- The MCSE: Private Cloud certification is the only MCSE certification which will be associated with Windows Server 2008.
- MCITP: Enterprise Administrator will remain the premier certification for Windows Server 2008.
What exactly is the new re-certification process?
- According to a historically reliable source at Microsoft, the new MCSA certifications will NOT have to re-certify because they are product specific.
- According to the same source, the new MCSE certifications will have to re-certify every 3 years, but they are looking to simplify the re-certification process.
- The explanation for creating the 3 year re-certification is that the new MCSE is not designed to be “product specific” and Microsoft sees the industry moving to a cloud based model where software and services are updated frequently.
Will Microsoft have a lineup of MCSEs?
- Microsoft claims to have an entire lineup of MCSEs which will be release in the near future.
- Many people seem to be complaining that there is not a premier level certification which is product based for the upcoming Windows Server 2012.
- Microsoft representatives are asking us to stay tuned; they believe that IT pros will all be very satisfied with the MCSEs they are going to release based on Windows Server 2012.
Now here’s my current overall opinion about the new certification program and how I think IT professionals should be approaching it. Overall, I am very excited about the return of the clearly branded MCSA and MCSE certifications. It clearly has a name beyond recognition amongst employers and IT professionals. If anything, I think Microsoft should have brought it back sooner. I like the fact that Microsoft has included the MCSA in the Windows Server 2008 lineup, but wish they would have come up with a better MCSE solution on Windows Server 2008 than the Private Cloud certification.
That being said, I would recommend existing MCITP professionals, especially the ones who are half way down the road to not panic and continue on their path. We all have to wait and clearly see by the beginning of next year to really see the certifications that Microsoft releases with Server 2012. Microsoft’s certification program has been around and very successful for 20 years now, and that doesn't happen by accident. I see no reason to believe it is going anywhere. Yes, I’m sure there will continue to be hiccups along the way, but Microsoft takes their certification program very seriously and will make sure it continues to succeed for many years to come.
If you are currently working toward a Microsoft certification then my clear advice is that you continue to stay the course and essentially pretend that nothing has changed. I have seen many of these types of revisions to certification programs and this is the same advice that I have always given throughout the years. I have never had a single student come back and tell me that they regretted continuing their quest toward certification. Certification has played a huge role in the correct placement of IT professionals in their careers and I don’t see that changing any time soon, even with the introduction of the new MCSE.
If you are looking for training, then I strongly suggest you contact ABCO Technology as quickly as possible and schedule your classes for MCITP before they run out. You can visit our website for more information www.abcotechnology.com or call us at (310) 216-3067.
