Microsoft Certified Master

1
Microsoft Certified Master

• July 30, 2008

2
Agenda

• Microsoft Certified Master
• History of the program
• The program today
• Details
• Requirements
• Pricing
• Timing and Registration
• Questions and answers

• Per Farny
• Director, Advanced Training and Certification
• Microsoft, Redmond, Wash. USA

3
Welcome!
4
Poll

• Do you currently hold any Microsoft
  Certifications?
• MCSA, MCSE, or MCITP
• MCAD, MCSD, or MCPD
• MCTS
• Other
• None

5
Technical Certification Roadmap
Master Series
Architect Series
Professional Series

• Different series highlight technology expertise
  by job function.
• Clear, concise way to highlight your specific
  skill set and validate your abilities at every
  stage of your professional development.

Technology Series
6
Microsoft Certified MasterDesign Build
Troubleshoot
If there is a need for a complex implementation
or upgrade, or for assessing existing solutions
and resolving issues, the call to action is
clear get a Microsoft Certified Master on the
job.

• Provide the highest level of technical
  certification on the Microsoft platform that
  recognizes the ability of an IT Professional to
  meet complex business requirements using
  Microsoft products and technologies.

7
Master - Tracks
8
History Ranger v1.0From the depths of Building
34

• September 2002 Started in Exchange CXP
  Reactive
• Grass roots effort based on customer problems
  with Exchange 2000
• Built for consultants, i.e. design and
  architecture, yet deep knowledge in components
• Lack of ability to identify experts needed
  trusted experts that had "been there, done that"
  in both technical and consulting capacity
• Format 1-2 core instructors, PM roundtables, lab
  time, 4 weeks
• Certification requirements
• Written test
• Qualification Lab Exam (Qual Lab)
• Start of trusted community for the product group

9
History Ranger v2.0to the glory of Building
11

• 2004 2006 Formalized in IT
• Exchange Center of Excellence
• Looking at customer problems holistically
• Substantial curriculum and delivery rework MSIT
  injection of knowledge, more instructors
• Review Board introduced to formally assess soft
  skills
• November 2005 Microsoft Certified Architect
  Messaging
• 2007 We have other products, right?
• MCA Database
• Directory efforts started

10
Keys to Success We noticed something along the
way

• Top subject matter experts deliver content
  acquired via real world technology deployments
• Go very deep technically, then come back up for
  air
• Core instructional sessions, PM roundtables, goal
  based labs
• Real world scenarios

11
ChallengesSome things didnt work so well

• 4-5 weeks is a long time!
• Not everyone should be / wants to be an MCA
• The globe actually has more cities on it than
  just Redmond, WA -)

12
History Ranger v3.0 Master v1.0Welcome to
Today! ?

• Microsoft Certified Master
• 3 weeks of mandatory training via top subject
  matter experts and 5-10 different instructors
• 3 Written exams
• One Qualification Lab Test
• Microsoft Certified Architect (Technology
  Programs)
• Messaging, Database, Directory
• Pre-requisite Certified Master (does not apply
  to Infrastructure and Solutions tracks)

13
Master Life of a candidateWhats it like at
training?

• Mentally and physically exhausting!

• Long days of instruction
• Information fire hose
• Study every night
• Group study with other candidates
• Activities such as

• Microsoft IT overview of global Exchange
  deployment from lead MSFT engineer (4 hours)
• Week 1 lab assignment build Front-end / Back-end
  architecture.
• Includes 10 virtual machines 2 mailbox servers,
  2 Client Access servers, 2 ISA servers, 2 domain
  controllers, 1 external SMTP host, 1 client
  machine
• A simple Visio is your guide
• Configure Unified Messaging with gateways and
  phones for each candidate
• Team exercise examine a set of requirements
  regarding a highly available environment and
  present findings to class (2-3 hours total)
• Deep dive into Exchange transport with member of
  Microsofts Exchange Center of Excellence (2
  days).

14
Master - BenefitsExtension of Microsoft

• Direct access to Microsoft product management and
  engineers
• Information you can not get anywhere else
• Membership in the community of elite peers
• Continued Education opportunities

15
Master - RequirementsDo you have what it takes?

• http//www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/master

16
Master Pricing

• Package 18,500
• 3 weeks of training
• 3 written tests
• 1 Qualification Lab
• Retakes
• Written tests 250 each
• Lab Test 1,500

17
Master Roll out and Availability

• This next year is Build Year Make sure we
  have it right
• Training in Redmond
• Total number trained 250 (40 internal, 60
  external)
• Increase instructor pool
• Starting July 2009, begin worldwide rollout
• 7 locations 3 United States. 2 EMEA, 2 APAC
• Total number trained 500

18
Master - Timelines

• August 4, 2008 pilot for registration
  application
• September 1, 2008 public registration open
• Training calendar

MCM Exchange 2007 MCM SQL 2008 MCM Windows Server 2008 - Directory
October 6-25, 2008 October 13 November 1, 2008 November 3-22, 2008
January 5-24, 2009 January 12 31, 2009 January 19 February 7, 2009
March 15 - April 4, 2009 March 16 April 4, 2009 May 4-23, 2009
SharePoint and Office Communications Server
dates TBD. First alpha rotations end of 2008 or
early 2009.
19
Master - Application Process

• Bookmark http//www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mas
  ter and watch for exact date of open registration
• Ensure you have pre-requisites covered
• Apply
• Pay 125 application fee
• Receive credentials for our portal where you
  upload resume
• Await acceptance notice (within 5 days)
• Upon acceptance
• Provide payment
• Confirm choice of training rotation
• Come to training!

20
Poll

• Do you see the Master certification fitting in to
  your career plan?
• Yes
• No
• I am not sure yet.

21
Questions?

• Links and resources

• Master programs home http//www.microsoft.com/lea
  rning/mcp/master
• MCA http//www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/archite
  ct/default.mspx
• Recording and PPT from today http//blogs.msdn.co
  m/trika

22
Technical Certification Roadmap
Master Series The Microsoft Certified Master
certifications identify individuals with the
deepest technology skills on the Microsoft
Platform.
Architect Series The Certified Architect
program makes it easy for companies to identify
experienced IT architects who have completed a
rigorous peer review process.
Professional Series Professional credentials
validate a comprehensive and current set of
skills required to be successful on the job.

• Microsoft Certifications feature succinct paths
  to help you become Microsoft Certified.
• Different series highlight technology expertise
  by job function.
• Provides a clear, concise way to highlight your
  specific skill set and validates your abilities
  at every stage of your professional development.

Technology Series Targeted certifications let
you gain in-depth skills on specific Microsoft
technologies.