Whenever we talk about Microsoft certifications, we're covering an exceptionally wide spectrum. At 1 end of the range, you might need some teaching on 'Word' or 'Excel', on the other you might be looking for a number of MCPs in order to qualify in IT at the professional grade. Whenever you're considering any kind of training it is a good idea to start looking at exactly what you want to get out of it - in other words why did you begin trying to find training in the first place? If you're going to have a career move into I.T., or would like to enhance your prospects in the industry, don't risk it to chance. Speak to an industry training consultant who can help you avoid the wrong things.

To most Computer users, the word Windows comes up once they think of Microsoft. It could also signify Microsoft Office, which provides us with numerous commonplace computer applications. Word is the company's word processing application, familiar to many millions everywhere. 'Excel' is also an incredibly popular application for spread-sheets, followed by Access which allows us to create databases. The last one of the main 4 software packages in Office is 'PowerPoint', which is widely used for giving presentations. In reality 'Microsoft' have taken their 'Office' solution much further - for example with 'Outlook' for messaging, calendar formatting and e-mailing.

Business communications internationally are led by MS Network & Server Operating Systems. The operating platform for at least eight or nine out of ten networked offices is estimated to be 'Windows Server'. It started off as 'NT' Server but it has been improved over time to 'Server 2000', Server 2003 & more recently Server 2008. Most business operations still use Server 2003, & upgrading to 2008 is not likely for many. Typically, its the previous platforms that will up-date ('NT' Server or '2000') - effectively skipping a generation or two. You'll locate more information on MS Network & Server Operating-Systems on the 'MCSE/MCSA' web-pages, as well as advice about the Server 2003 versus Server 2008 issue.

Structured Query Language or SQL is a dedicated 'language' for interrogating 'Databases'. Structured Query Language is relevant to how information is stored on a database & extracted from it. Consequently an understanding of the language is vital for anybody who is aiming for a professional level Database career. There are two routes for database professionals - 'Database Administrators' who control & create reports on the information held, & 'Database Developers', who are the designers and builders of 'databases'. Quite a number of developers are programmers as well, and can write software for databases in either C# or VB.