Who moved my MCSE?


The new generation of Microsoft Certifications

August 2007  Print

With the eminent release of Windows 2008 (formerly codenamed “Longhorn”) the IT workforce is asking the question, “What happens to my MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) Certification?”

Recent figures from the Microsoft Global Partner conference in Denver showed that on a global level, certification has been on the increase. This trend, however, has not been reflected in the mature Australian market as many IT Pros have not maintained their Microsoft Windows Server certifications.

Looking at MCSE figures since NT 4.0, a steady decline in the number of current MCSEs can be seen. Only a third of the IT Pros registered as Windows 2000 MCSEs decided to upgrade to the Windows 2003 MCSE. This could be largely due to the very little differences existing when running a Windows Server 2000 environment as opposed to a Windows Server 2003 environment. The skills needed to effectively run the server environments are effectively the same.

In March 2008, an upgrade path from the Windows 2000 MCSE to the Windows 2003 MCSE will be closed. This leaves those that have not upgraded to a Windows 2003 MCSE to start their Windows 2008 certification from scratch! Why? Well, there is no certification path to upgrade from a Windows 2000 MCSE to a Windows 2008 MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist).

MCTS-what?

The new generation of Microsoft certifications is more specific and targeted to reflect the detail of what you do and to prove your expertise to those who need to know.  The new certification tracks look as follows:

MIcrosoft Certifications

  • Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
    New baseline certification that targets the usage and skills needed for a specific technology, rather than being too generic. This level of certification validates skills around implementing/building and troubleshooting/debugging a particular technology.

  • Microsoft Certified IT Professional series (MCITP)
    The MCITP validates skills including design, deployment management, operations management and planning, and are contextual to the job role. The two credentials available are the plain MCITP and the MCITP Developer.

  • Architect series
    This top-level certification is for the guns of the industry. Achieving this certification is meant to signify that you have a minimum of 10 years of advanced experience, possess strong technical and business skills and form an elite community.

So, what options are available?

  • An opportunity still exists to upgrade from a Windows 2000 to Windows 2003 MCSE, until the expiration of the 70-292 and 70-296 exams. The quickest certification path would be to do a 2297 course which highlights the differences between the two products.  Five days of training followed by 2 exams should future proof any IT Pro until they can do the Windows 2008 upgrade.

  • Windows Server 2003 certified IT Pros have to complete 2 exams to certify as a Windows 2008 MCTS. One upgrade exam earns multiple MCTS certifications. For example, successfully completing the 70-649 (Upgrading your MCSE on 2003 to 2008) and the 70-648 (Upgrading you 2003 MCSA to 2008), provides candidates with 3 MCTS certifications (in Active Director, Infrastructure and Application platform configuration).

  • To upgrade to an IT Pro certification, you would need to pass the 70-649 upgrade exam, a client exam (70-620 or 70-624) and an Enterprise/Server administration exam (70-647 or 70-646).