REDMOND, Wash. —
, Dec. 10, 1996 — Responding to the growing need for trained Internet and intranet specialists, Microsoft Corp. today announced an Internet certification program. The new credential is part of the existing Microsoft ® Certified Product Specialist (MCPS) certification, which requires the mastery of at least one desktop or server operating system. It is called MCPS: Internet Systems. Microsoft made the announcement on the eve of the Internet World trade show in New York City.
“With this credential, Microsoft continues to extend its programs and products to embrace the Internet,”
said Nancy Lewis, general manager of worldwide education and certification at Microsoft.
“Microsoft is doing so in ways that best benefit customers – their feedback led to the creation of this certification.”
The MCPS: Internet Systems credential qualifies Web server managers to install and configure Microsoft Internet-related server products, manage Web server resources, extend Web servers to run CGI and ISAPI scripts, plan Internet system security, monitor and analyze Web server performance, and troubleshoot Internet system-related problems.
Certification Requirements
The new credential requires passing three exams: Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows NT® Server 4.0 (exam 70-67), Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Internet Information Server (exam 70-77), and Internetworking Microsoft TCP/IP on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 (exam 70-59).
“This comprehensive, rigorous certification will help give technicians access to flourishing new markets while assuring IT service managers that those whom they hire have the best and most up-do-date skills,”
Lewis said. Technicians can register immediately for the Implementing and Supporting Windows NT Server 4.0 exam. The Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Internet Information Server exam is scheduled to be available in early January, and the Internetworking Microsoft TCP/IP on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 exam is scheduled for release in April. Those interested in the new Internet credential can call Microsoft Training and Certification at (800) 636-7544 or visit the company’s Web site, at http://www.microsoft.com/train_cert/ . To register for exams, call Sylvan Prometric at (800) 755-EXAM (755-3926).
The largest Microsoft Authorized Technical Education Center (ATEC) said the new certification is exactly what its enrollees need.
“Our students tell us they have only limited time to devote to training,”
said Mary Jo Bader, Microsoft business alliance manager of the Global Knowledge Network, an operator of 56 educational centers in over 30 countries that trains more than 100,000 students annually.
“While other vendors offer separate Internet courses, Microsoft integrates Internet skills into its product training. This approach helps students become certified quickly without sacrificing any of the skills their employers and end users require.”
Other ATECs see the new credential as an opportunity.
“There’s a lot of confusion surrounding Internet training right now,”
said Dan Schaefer, executive vice president of Infotec Commercial Systems, which trains more than 35,000 students annually.
“By branding a certification that ensures knowledge of Internet- and intranet-based systems, Microsoft will generate demand for our courses.”
“The MCPS: Internet Systems credential also gives VARs a leg up,”
said Steve Brunk, customer education programs manager for Tech Data Corp., an ATEC and leading supplier of VAR training services.
“A Microsoft certification implies expertise and knowledge, and that’s something our VARs can use to differentiate themselves from their competitors.”
Microsoft certification programs provide other valuable benefits as well, including industry recognition of knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft products; direct access to technical information from Microsoft and updates on the company’s TechNet CD-ROMs; access to a dedicated forum on MSN
™
, The Microsoft Network online service for Microsoft Certified Professionals and invitations to Microsoft conferences, technical training sessions and special events.
Additional Areas of Specialization Available
Microsoft offers a variety of other MCPS areas of specialization:
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Networking
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Microsoft TCP/IP
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Microsoft SQL Server
™ -
Microsoft Exchange
Microsoft also offers the following premium certifications:
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Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE). MCSEs must pass four operating-system exams and two elective exams that provide a valid and reliable measure of technical proficiency and expertise. The operating-system exams require proof of expertise with desktop, server and networking components; the elective exams cover the Microsoft BackOffice
™
family of products. -
Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD). MCSDs must pass two core technology exams and two elective exams. The core technology exams require proof of understanding of Windows® 32-bit architecture, OLE technology, user interface design, and Windows Open Services Architecture (WOSA) components. The elective exams require proof of expertise with Microsoft development tools.
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Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT). MCTs obtain the instructional and technical expertise necessary to lead courses using Microsoft Official Curriculum at Microsoft Authorized Technical Education Centers.
More than 92,000 certifications have been awarded by Microsoft since the Microsoft Certified Professional program’s inception in 1992. Microsoft offers education for the way users want to learn and certification for the job they need to do.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft, Windows NT, MSN, BackOffice and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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